Youth Empowerment Radio

Youth Empowerment and Recovery: An Interview with Brendan, YPR Durango Chapter Lead In episode 14 of Youth Empowerment Radio, host Audrey interviews Brendan, the lead of the Young People in Recovery (YPR) Durango chapter and program coordinator at Oak Tree Youth Resources. Brendan discusses the key takeaways for homeless youth seeking sobriety, the success stories from recovery groups, understandi...

Empowering Rural Workforce: Insights from Colorado Department of Labor and Employment In this podcast episode, key representatives from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) discuss their roles and responsibilities in workforce development, particularly focused on rural communities. Susie Miller, Wendy Corley, and Steve Wright share their career journeys and emphasize the departme...

Exploring Colorado's Rich Civil Rights History with Terri Gentry In this episode, Terri Gentry, the Engagement Manager for Black Communities at History Colorado, shares insights into her family’s remarkable contribution to civil rights history and the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. She discusses her family’s involvement in civil rights activism, including her uncle George, the first Black...

Supporting Foster Youth: Insights from Boulder County Chafee Program In this episode, Savannah interviews Nicole, her supervisor at Boulder County Housing and Human Services. Nicole discusses her role in supervising caseworkers who help 16 to 26-year-olds with housing resources, advocacy, and mentorship for independent living. She explains the federally funded Chafee program, its purpose, and how...

Innovative Support and Transition Programs for Youth in Colorado's Foster Care System In this insightful episode, Derek Blake and Trevor Williams discuss their roles within Colorado's foster care system. Derek, the Transition Services Administrator, oversees multiple programs for youth transitioning out of foster care, such as the Chafee program, education, and training vouchers, and the...

Empowering Youth: Stories of Survival and Support In Episode 9 of Youth Empowerment Radio, recorded at a recent summit, we hear compelling stories from Lake County Wraparound. This episode shines a light on the struggles of youth fleeing dangerous situations, living without parental support, and navigating homelessness. It emphasizes the importance of supporting and expanding programs to help vuln...

Addressing Youth Homelessness: Insights from Senior Research Associate Lenae Davis In this episode, Lenae Davis, a Senior Research Associate at the Center for Policy Research, discusses her extensive career focused on research and evaluation. She explains her role in various projects addressing youth homelessness and economic instability, particularly emphasizing the Pathways to Success initiative...

In this episode of Youth Empowerment Radio's second season, Savannah, a VISTA member of Youth MOVE Colorado, interviews Kathy Alderman Chief Communications and Public Policy Officer of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. They explore prevalent stigmas and myths about homelessness, focusing on youth challenges. The discussion highlights the societal tendency to blame individuals for their...

In this episode, we speak with Dominic Johnson, a representative from Mariposa Center for Safety. Formerly known as YWCA Pueblo, the center assists survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and family abuse. Dominic provides an overview of the center's mission and services, including their emergency shelter, the runaway and homeless youth program, and Teresa's Pl...

Exploring Natural Alternatives in Recovery: A Conversation with Avani Dillinger In this episode of the Recovery Series, Savanaha from Youth MOVE Colorado VISTA interviews Avani Dillinger about the Natural Highs community group. Avani discusses the origins and mission of Natural Highs, a Boulder-based nonprofit focused on using cutting-edge neuroscience and natural alternatives for mental health an...

Carlton Mason on Leading CASA: Breaking the Cycle of Abuse and Neglect In this episode, Carlton Mason, CEO of CASA for the 7th Judicial District, shares his unique journey into his role, the profound impact of CASA's mission, and the importance of positive, non-transactional relationships for youth. Carlton discusses the challenges and barriers faced by young people in crisis, the organizatio...

Guiding Students to Success: An Insightful Conversation with Dr. Paccione, the Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education In this episode, Dr. Paccione, the Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education shares a detailed account of their diverse career journey that led to their current role. They discuss the personal significance and mission of the Department, emphasizing...

Challenges and Solutions for LGBTQI Youth Facing Homelessness in Rural Areas In this episode, we delve into the multifaceted challenges that queer and trans youth, particularly those identifying as LGBTQI, face regarding homelessness and housing instability. The discussion highlights the heightened vulnerability of these youth due to factors such as family rejection, societal discrimination, and t...

Empowering Homeless Youth: Carie Harrison on Meeting Unique Needs In this episode of Youth Empowerment Radio for Homeless Youth Awareness Month, host interviews Carie Harrison from Oak Tree Youth Resources in Durango, Colorado. Carie discusses the inspiration behind founding Oak Tree, the methods for addressing individual needs of homeless youth, and the prevalent mental health challenges they fac...

🎙️ Hey everyone! Welcome back to Youth M.O.V.E. Colorado! Today, we're giving you a sneak peek into Season 2 of Youth Empowerment Radio —formerly known as Next Gen Combos ! 👤 Meet Ellis! She’s the Drop-In Center Coordinator at Oak Tree Youth Resources in Durango, Colorado. Oak Tree is a space where youth come with diverse needs—everything from independent living support to mental health reso...

🎙️ Hey everyone! Welcome back to Youth M.O.V.E. Colorado! We’re excited to bring you a preview of Youth Empowerment Radio , Season 2—formerly Next Gen Combos ! This season, we’re spotlighting incredible stories of resilience and community support. 👋 Introducing Cassidy Meehan! Cassidy works with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the San Luis Valley. They’re the only Boys and Girls Club in Colorado part...

🎙️ Hey, Youth M.O.V.E. Colorado listeners! Here’s a sneak peek of Youth Empowerment Radio , Season 2—formerly Next Gen Combos ! Get ready to hear stories that truly highlight the resilience and strength of our youth! 👋 Meet Carrie Harrison! She co-founded Oak Tree Youth Resources in February 2020 after a decade as a foster parent. Carrie saw firsthand how critical it is for young people aging out...

Empowering Youth in the Legal System: A Deep Dive with OCR's Cara Nord In this episode of the Next Gen Convos podcast, we interview Cara Nord from the Office of the Child's Representative (OCR) in Colorado. Cara shares her journey to becoming an attorney focused on helping children, and details the work of OCR, emphasizing the roles of Guardians Ad Litem (GALs) and Counsel for Youth (CFY...

Empowering Voices: Navigating the Foster Care System and Advocacy Journey In this comprehensive discussion, JR, Dina, Janessa, and Lizzie share their personal experiences and involvement with the Selfless Love Foundation and their advocacy work in the foster care system. Janessa and Dina discuss their paths to becoming advocates through youth councils and leadership programs, highlighting the impo...

Understanding Black History Month: An Interview with Elisia Parham This is the 29th episode, where the host talks to Elisia about her experience as a black woman working for a county department of human services. The conversation largely revolves around Black History Month, its significance, and the issues of inequalities and misconceptions surrounding it. The conversation also touches on the impo...

Navigating Relationships: An Interview with Claire, Behavioral Health and Wellness Director This podcast interview is with  Claire Cornin, a Behavioral Health and Wellness Director for Tgthr.org. Their wide-ranging dialogue centers on maintaining healthy relationships, with a keen interest in understanding each person's individual needs and ways of defining a good relationship. They emphasize...

Conversation with, Zoha and Theo with the Colorado Sexual Health Initiative (CoSHI)  Understanding Youth Sexual Health Education In this interview, Next Gen Convos hosts a discussion with Zoa, and Theo from the Colorado Sexual Health Initiative (COSHI). The team discusses their roles, the comprehensive sexual education they deliver to young people in Colorado, and the importance of speaking the ri...

Next Gen Convos Episode: Unveiling Human Trafficking with Christa Mayfield from Project Protect Our Children In this installment of 'Next Gen convos', we have an eye-opening discussion with Christa Mayfield, Director of Operations for Project Protect Our Children, a non-profit anti-human trafficking organization. The discussion brings to light the chilling realities of human trafficking,...

Empowering Homeless Youth through Legal Aid: An Interview with Jeff Cuneo In this extensive conversation, we get introduced to Jeff Cuneo, the Executive Director of the Colorado Homeless Legal Project. Jeff details his passion for helping youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, and his journey from being a juvenile public defender in California to setting up a nonprofit in Colorado. He s...

Understanding Lobbying and Advocacy: An Interview with Andy Leopoldis In this informative interview, Andy Leopoldis, a renowned lobbyist from Colorado, discusses her extensive experience in the field since 1988. She offers insights into the relationship between lobbying and advocacy, sharing her personal journey into lobbying stemming from her son's diagnosis of juvenile diabetes. Andy explai...