Thriving Forward

On this episode we welcome the founders of Growing Together. Kristin Bergholtz has been a practicing Speech Pathologist for over 20 years. Stacia Paganelli is a Speech Pathologist and Feeding Specialist who has been working primarily in a home-based setting since 2001. Their mission "is to continue to fill the gaps in the community for families just like yours. [Their] goal is to normalize th...

Since 2003, Teen Empowerment Rochester has provided life-changing opportunities to hundreds of youth in the City of Rochester. Through their involvement, these inspiring individuals have mobilized thousands of their peers, adults, and community leaders to participate in youth-led initiatives that drive change. Marcus Cooper is the Lead Program Coordinator at Teen Empowerment in Rochester. In this...

Rise Up Rochester, Incorporated (RUR) works to interrupt violence and provides support to crime victims and their families.  RUR mediates disputes, mentors high-risk individuals, facilitates support groups for families of homicide victims, and provides case management and other wrap around services for victims, families and neighborhoods impacted by violence. RUR can be found in schools, on the st...

Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Lindsay Jewett is the Director of Mission Advancement for the Rocheste...

The mission of The Hochstein School is to provide people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities with access to excellent music and dance education in a community that nurtures and encourages personal achievement. Today's guest is Jennifer Philips. She is the Assistant Dean and Chair of Expressive Arts and Music FUNdamentals at the Hochstein School. She is a Board Certified Music Therapist an...

Brighid Gavin is a Parent Coach and the owner of Childhood Behavior Solutions. Brighid has a Bachelors Degree is Early Childhood Education from John Carroll University and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Buffalo State. She is currently pursuing her licensure in applied behavior analysis. She is a behavior specialist and parent coach. Tune in to learn more about how s...

Pamela Reed Sanchez is the President and CEO of the Seneca Park Zoo Society.  The Seneca Park Zoo Society is a nonprofit education and conservation organization that works as a support partner to Monroe County in operating the Seneca Park Zoo. The Monroe County website notes, "In 1957, the Seneca Park Zoo Society was chartered as an educational institution by New York State. Since that time,...

On this episode, Sarah talks with Brittany Hodges, a medical student at the University of Rochester.  Britt serves as a Health Equity Leader, a program of the National Medical Fellowships to develop future health care leaders with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to promote health equity for medically under-served communities.  Listen in as they discuss food insecurity, urban gardening, and...

On this episode of the podcast we welcome Amanda Gozigian. She is a Program Manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY (RMHCR). RMHCR's mission is to support the health and wellness of children and families through innovative programming, supportive services and community partnerships. Amanda discusses many of the RMHCR programs in our area and how this agency works to provi...

In this episode Sarah talks with Shawn Gee from SRGMF, a strategic brand consulting firm here in Rochester.  Listen in to learn about his journey from the music industry to consulting with organizations such as Hinge Neighbors to his work mentoring youth. To learn more visit:  https://www.srgmf.com/ Support the show

On this episode Sarah talks with Cheryl Carleton from Flower City Down Syndrome Network.  Cheryl shares her experience as a mother of a child with Down Syndrome as well as the work that Flower City Down Syndrome Network does for our Greater Rochester community.  To learn more, visit:  www.fcdsn.com Or email:  fcdsn21@gmail.com Support the show

In this episode of the podcast Megan interviews Anita O’Brien. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Rochester Accessible Adventures. Rochester Accessible Adventures is on a mission to improve the health and wellness of people with disabilities by guiding communities to create a culture of physical accessibility, social inclusion, and equitable open access in recreation, sports and tourism....

September is Early Intervention Awareness Month! On today's podcast Megan speaks with Tracey Taylor. Tracey is the co-chair of the Monroe County Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council, an Occupational Therapist, and a parent. She is also the interim program director for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program at Bryant and Stratton College. Monroe County Website: https://www.monroec...

In this episode Megan speaks with members of URMC's Sickle Cell Advocacy Team. This interdisciplinary group of physicians and patient advocates has come together to improve the quality of care for patients with Sickle Cell Disease, especially at the critical point at which they transition into adult care. Our guests: Dr. Suzie Noronha Dr. Francis Coyne Dr. Dan Sheehan Sharee Turpin Email Dr....

Bill Moehle has served as Brighton Town Supervisor since January 1, 2012. On this episode he and Megan discuss his favorite things about Brighton, what it means to be a town supervisor, and some of the town's history in addition to his own! Town Biography: https://www.townofbrighton.org/298/Biography-of-Supervisor-William-Moehle Town Website: https://www.townofbrighton.org/ Brighton Farmer&ap...

This week Sarah is talking with Joe Di Fiore, Executive Director of City Roots Community Land Trust.  Confused about how a community land trust (CLT) works?  Listen in and find out how City Roots works to preserve and increase the number of homes, rental properties, and community opportunities that are permanently affordable for future generations of Rochester families.    To learn more visit:  ht...

Heather is the Chief Executive Officer of NAMI Rochester.  NAMI stands for the National Alliance on Mental Illness and their mission is to: "provide support, education and advocacy to individuals and families of all cultural backgrounds who are living with mental illness." On this episode of the podcast Megan speaks with Heather about the services offered through NAMI and the current sup...

On this episode meet Calvin Eaton, social entrepreneur and founder of 540WMain, a non-profit anti-racist platform.  Calvin founded 540WMain in 2016 as a grassroots community space in the Susan B. Anthony district of Rochester, NY.  He and his team work to engage the community through anti-racist, accessible, and compelling digital and virtual content, centering Black and Indigenous thinkers and cr...

Amanda Ashley Rodriguez is originally from Long Island.  She began writing and composing at the early age of fourteen and was performing solo by the age of sixteen in local coffee houses. After graduating from SUNY Fredonia, Amanda found her way into the Rochester, NY community as a local performer and musician’s event coordinator. Amanda’s local musical work includes teaching privately, performin...

The Rochester office of the Western NY Lead Poisoning Resource Center is supported by the New York State Department of Health. We provide: Education and support to medical providers and local health departments within the region. Our center works to improve lead testing and provide education and prevention activities. Consultation with medical providers on the medical management of children and pr...

Who doesn't love Dolly Parton?  Did you know she is not only one of the best American singer/songwriters, but also a huge advocate for early literacy?  Dr. Matthew Present, a 3rd year pediatrics resident at the University of Rochester Medical Center, has established a branch of her wildly successful Dolly Parton Imagination Libraries right here in Rochester.  Listen in as Sarah talks with him...

In this episode Sarah talks with Santos Jasmine Montanez from Ibero American Action League.  Ibero is a dual-language multi-service agency that uplifts, empowers, and advocates for Latinos and the underserved.  Santos is a Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator working with their Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Program.  Resources mentioned during the episode:  https://www.ibero.org/   Call 311 f...

On this episode of the podcast we speak with Liza Savage-Katz. She has been teaching yoga and fitness since 2002 with students ranging in age from 2 to 92 (literally).  Her company, KaleidoscopeME™ is an EDUtainment productions and software development company focused on the creation of movement, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning platforms for children. Liza co-created KaleidoscopeME™ wit...

In this episode Sarah interviews Jody Todd Manly, the Clinical Director of Mt. Hope Family Center.  Mt. Hope Family Center is a unique program that both provides direct clinical services and conducts research to help improve the lives of children and families who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect, or trauma.  Listen in and learn more! For more information: Website - https://www.psych.roche...

In this episode we meet with Dr. Jessica Shand. She is trained as a Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist with a clinical interest is in the management of hematologic malignancies in children and young adults. We discuss her work in the mindfulness and mental health care space, provider burn out, and re-imagining medicine moving forward. Website: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/people/26896397-jessica-...