Youth Empowerment Radio

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...

This is an exceptional episode where we have the opportunity to hear from both youth and adults who have been nominated for their outstanding efforts as advocates for children in the Colorado foster care system, sharing their unique lived experiences

This podcast episode from Youth MOVE Colorado features an interview with Jane, a professional from the Office of Legislative Legal Services. She delves into the intricacies of drafting state legislation and how young people can engage in advocacy for specific bills. Jane also highlights the significant impact non-profits have on state-level legislation. Throughout the episode, she discusses the de...

This episode of Vista's Podcast offers a reflective look at the past year's key moments and achievements. It delves into various highlights, including engaging in-person meetings, memorable podcast episodes, and the significant strides made toward establishing a 501(c)(3) organization. The hosts also share insights into their personal goals, community engagement efforts, and exciting pla...

In this engaging podcast episode, three guests share a lively discussion about the holidays, delving into their personal experiences and unique viewpoints. They explore the theme of stepping away from conventional norms and finding joy in both social gatherings and individual traditions. The conversation candidly addresses the complexities of family interactions and the importance of maintaining m...

Join us for an engaging episode where we delve into the art of goal setting. Our speakers engage in a dynamic conversation, shedding light on how setting goals can transform our brains. They discuss the significance of having goals, the crucial role of timelines in goal achievement, and the real talk on navigating setbacks and failures. Plus, they unravel the effectiveness of SMART goals. Along th...

In this episode, we discuss self-care and meditation. The Vistas talk about the importance of self-care during the holidays while providing tips and tricks for self-care. They interview Kippi who shares insights and techniques for meditation. They also discuss the benefits of self-care and encourage the audience to share their mantras and self-care tips. There is a fantastic guided medication arou...

In our engaging interview, we sit down with Nagar, the visionary behind the innovative mental health app "Joyi." We delve into the app's genesis, exploring the passion and purpose fueling its creation. The conversation pivots to the critical role of mental health education and the journey of promoting self-care in today's world. We also discuss the strategic future directions f...