The Everyday Advocate

What does it take to build a team that doesn't just work together but truly transforms a community? In this episode, Jessica Evans sits down with Martha Cortes, Chief Partnerships Officer at KIPP Indy Public Schools, to discuss how authentic leadership, collaboration, and shared purpose create lasting impact. Drawing from her personal journey as a first-generation Latina and her work serving s...

What happens when one caring adult believes in a young person before they believe in themselves? In this inspiring conversation, Jessica Evans sits down with three-time Grammy-nominated musician, speaker, entrepreneur, and youth advocate Saul Paul to explore the life-changing power of mentorship. Saul shares his remarkable journey from foster care and incarceration to performing on global stages,...

What does a successful mentoring relationship really look like? In this episode, Jessica and Audrey sit down with longtime mentor Kathy and her mentee, G, to share the story of a relationship that has grown over five and a half years. What began as a mentorship through Allies has become a lifelong friendship rooted in trust, consistency, and unconditional support. Together, they reflect on first i...

What role does healthcare play in identifying and supporting survivors of human trafficking? In this episode, Jessica sits down with Beth Petrucce, a longtime advocate and healthcare leader, to discuss how hospitals, healthcare professionals, and community partnerships are helping strengthen the response to human trafficking across Indiana. Beth shares how her background in social work led her int...

What if one trusted teacher could change the trajectory of a child’s life? In this episode, Jessica and Audrey sit down with Dr. Keeanna Warren, CEO of Purdue Polytechnic High School, to explore the powerful intersection between education and anti-trafficking work. Together, they unpack how schools can become protective spaces for vulnerable youth, why relationships matter more than ever, and what...

Most parents think human trafficking looks like a stranger in a van, but today, it’s happening through screens, games, and social media. Alyssa Van Vactor, Executive Director of kNot Today works to share knowledge and resources that educate families and parents about human trafficking. Join hosts Jessica Evans and Audrey Hood as they share stories and resources for you to learn and be an everyday...

Season four of The Everyday Advocate Podcast is here. In this episode, Jessica Evans shares a powerful update on Allies Inc., celebrating 15 years of impact while stepping into a new season of growth, expansion, and deeper community connection. If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a difference, this conversation will show you exactly where to start. What You Will Learn: How Allies Inc. has gro...

In this heartfelt wrap-up to our mentorship series, host Jessica Evans sits down with mentor coach Lisa Pirinelli to explore what it really means to support a mentor-mentee relationship from behind the scenes. Lisa shares how she became involved with Allies in a nontraditional way, what she’s learned about herself through coaching, and the powerful impact of simply showing up consistently and comp...

In this heartfelt episode, longtime mentor Julie Snider opens up about her long time journey with her mentee through the Allies program. Julie shares how a simple coffee meeting led to a deep and lasting relationship that has touched both their lives. From first meetings and creative outings to learning how to model healthy motherhood, Julie reflects on the powerful transformation that comes from...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with one of our incredible mentees as she reflects on her journey and the life-changing impact Allies has had along the way. Through seasons of transition, healing, and growth, she shares how the unwavering support and community at Allies became a constant in her life, offering hope, stability, and the reminder that she’s never alone. Get Your Ticket to Illumi...

In this episode, a longtime mentee reflects on the journey they’ve shared with their mentor — the trust they built, the moments that mattered, and the lessons learned along the way. They offer honest reflections and words of wisdom for new mentees just starting out. Get Your Ticket to Illuminate Here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/illuminate/⁠⁠ Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

What is the scope of homelessness in our city? Elliot Zans of CHIP helps us broaden our understanding about the reality of homelessness in Indiana, and the role housing insecurity plays within the issue of human trafficking. CHIP: ⁠https://chipindy.org⁠ Homeward Indy Podcast: ⁠https://homewardindy.org⁠ Get Your Ticket to Illuminate Here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/illuminate/⁠ Learn more about...

Often, human trafficking, substance use, and mental health are so intricately connected, that in order to serve survivors, all of them must be addressed together. Elizabeth Benitez joins us to share about this important intersection and how trauma-informed practices help facilitate the opportunity for healing. Get Your Ticket to Illuminate Here: ⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/illuminate/⁠ Learn more...

Brian Carter joins Jessica to share about how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) create vulnerabilities for trafficking and why healthy community and safe adults are the most important protective factors we can give our children. Get Your Ticket to Illuminate Here: ⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/illuminate/⁠ Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-in...

Diving into a series on challenges survivors of human trafficking face, Sarah Daniel, CEO of Unconditional, joins Jessica to share about the intersection of strip clubs and human trafficking, and the beautiful work Unconditional does, offering relationship and new opportunities to those they serve. More about Unconditional: https://unconditionalindy.com/ Learn more about becoming a mentor with All...

Wrapping up our series on commitment, Tracy Nasser joins Jessica to share why she is committed to Allies, and how her faith has motivated her to continue to learn, share and be invested in the mission. Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/ LOVE. RESPECT. COMMUNITY Allies empowers survivors of trafficking & sexual exploitation through ment...

Serving as a mentor and coach for Allies, Julie Deem shares about the ups and downs of these relationships, and why commitment matters. Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/ LOVE. RESPECT. COMMUNITY Allies empowers survivors of trafficking & sexual exploitation through mentorship and family support Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Allies⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn mo...

Allies' outgoing board president, David King, joins Jessica to share about how his incremental commitment to Allies has ignited personal growth, served as a catalyst for his whole family to serve, and has deepened his faith. Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/ LOVE. RESPECT. COMMUNITY Allies empowers survivors of trafficking & sexual ex...

Heading into the "Giving Season," Jessica and Regan share why Allies is focusing on those who are committed to the mission of  Allies and why commitment matters. Learn more about Commitment Has a Name:  www.allies-inc.org/commit Hear all the stories by following us on  Facebook  and  Instagram ! Check out information about the upcoming 2025 Everyday Generosity event: www.allies-inc.org/everyday-ge...

Live from the Cannonball Lounge in downtown Indy, Allies "flipped the script" on Giving Tuesday and hosted a live podcast event. Hear from guests Kyle Defur, president of NCF Indiana and Melody Gandy, co-director of Family Advocacy Ministry at College Park Church as they share about living generous lives everyday. Check out information about the upcoming 2025 Everyday Generosity event: www.allies-...

Host Jessica Evans sits down with Brittany Babbitt to wrap up the series on mentorship best practices. They dive into the key aspects of steadfastness, perseverance, and commitment in mentorship relationships. Make a connection for Allies:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/FvwqamL8ZcRaVRRT9⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor...

Audra Ames joins Jessica for an honest conversation about how practicing empathy in our relationships can foster authentic connection and healing. Audra shares practical ways we can show up for others and encourages listeners to grow through uncomfortable moments. Make a connection for Allies:  ⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/FvwqamL8ZcRaVRRT9⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Emily Watson and Jessica explore the topic of setting boundaries that are based on our personal values, and why respecting boundaries set by ourselves or others is a key to long-lasting relationships Make a connection for Allies:  ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/FvwqamL8ZcRaVRRT9⁠⁠ Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.allies-inc.org/becoming-a-mentor/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

For the first episode in our series on Best Practices in Mentorship, Jessica sits down with Allies colleague, Beth Carney, to discuss worldview - how to recognize it and the ways it impacts our relationships When Helping Hurts  book:  https://chalmers.org/books/when-helping-hurts/#order-now Make a connection for Allies:  ⁠https://forms.gle/FvwqamL8ZcRaVRRT9⁠ Learn more about becoming a mentor with...

Jessica shares a few updates about recent events at Allies and shares some incredible moments from the recent Thrive gathering. The next series of The Everyday Advocate will focus on the best practices of mentorship and will launch on Friday, September 13! Make a connection for Allies:  https://forms.gle/FvwqamL8ZcRaVRRT9 Learn more about becoming a mentor with Allies: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://w...