Nobody Chooses Homelessness

In today's episode, we are excited to introduce you to Bindia Malhotra, a finance industry expert who has advised top institutions around the world on various financial aspects. But Bindia's passion for helping others extends far beyond the corporate world. As a co-founder of the non-profit organization One Always Matters, she is dedicated to bringing hope and home to those who are recovering from injustice, oppression, and conflic...

Join us on this episode as we chat with Pascale Leone, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Network of New York, who has dedicated her career to serving vulnerable populations in New York City. As the leader of the only supportive housing nonprofit membership organization that represents over 200 nonprofits that develop and operate supportive housing, Pascale is a true champion of social justice and creating a world where e...

Join us for an inspiring episode as we sit down with Sally Han, Manager of Community Engagement at Restore NYC, an anti-trafficking nonprofit. Sally has been working with Restore NYC for years, helping survivors of trafficking make their way to freedom. In today's episode, we dive into her journey and what led her to become such a passionate advocate for trafficking survivors. Starting as a case manager and working her way up, Sall...

In this episode, we're honored to have Dr. Deborah Padgett, a renowned advocate and researcher in the fields of homelessness and mental health. From her work on Housing First, a groundbreaking book that's transformed the way we approach homelessness in the US and beyond, to her research on homeless "pavement dwellers" in Delhi, India, Dr. Padgett has made an incredible impact on the world.

As a professor at NYU Silver, Dr. Padgett ...

On today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with returning guest Deborah Berkman, a Coordinating Attorney at the New York Legal Assistance Group’s Public Benefits Unit.

As an expert in poverty, public interest, and civil rights law, Deborah has dedicated her career to fighting for the disenfranchised. She is the founder of the Shelter Advocacy Initiative, which provides representation to people experiencing homelessness an...

Join us for a special episode as we sit down with the incredible Richard Vernon. Richard is a true visionary who has dedicated his life to helping others and making a difference in disaster recovery and resiliency. We'll be diving into his inspiring work in non-profit organizations in New York City, where he's leading a citywide effort to increase access to clean personal hygiene services, with the aim of providing a much-needed en...

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Susan Greenfield, an editor who is committed to shedding light on the untold stories of the homeless community. Susan's latest book, Sacred Shelter, features the narratives of thirteen individuals who have graduated from an interfaith life skills program for homeless individuals. Through open and honest interviews, the book explores their struggles and the healing they found through commu...

In this episode, we sit down with Detra Thomas, whose inspiring story was featured on Humans of New York in 2022. Detra shares her journey from being a pastor's wife in Arkansas to a homeless barista in New York City. She tells us about the challenges she faced in escaping an abusive marriage and experiencing homelessness for the first time, and how she found the strength to rebuild her life in a new city.

Detra is a shining exam...

In this episode, we sit down with Darius Baxter, an emerging thought leader in the fight against poverty. Darius's personal experience with homelessness and growing up in a low-income household has driven him to pursue his passion for social impact ventures. As the CEO of GOODProjects, he has facilitated millions of dollars of investment and resources into low-income communities in the US and abroad.

Darius shares with us his belie...

In this episode, we sit down with the owner of Champion Pizza, Hakki Akdeniz, as he shares his incredible journey from homelessness to becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs of our time. With almost 29 million Instagram followers and fans like Mike Tyson and Courtney Cox, Hakki's rise to success is truly remarkable.

We delve into his story in detail, from sleeping on park benches to spending nights in his pizzeria to own...

This is the second half of our conversation with Mary Elizabeth Kyle, a director at The Grace & Mercy Foundation; she dives deeper into the stories that shaped her work in human services and helps us all unpack our narratives around homelessness. 

Her years of experience in human services and working with people experiencing homelessness have given her a unique perspective on how we can collectively serve those who are unhoused. 

D...

This week we talk with Mary Elizabeth Kyle, a director at The Grace & Mercy Foundation; she shares with us the nuance of homelessness and how her upbringing impacts the lens through which she comes to the conversation. 

Her years of experience in human services and working with people experiencing homelessness have given her a unique perspective on how we can collectively serve those who are unhoused. 

Download your free guide, cli...

In part 2 of this conversation, Deborah Berkman breaks down the nuance of the public shelter options that people experiencing homelessness face; she shares what everyday people can do to make a difference. 

Deborah is a Coordinating Attorney with the New York Legal Assistance Group’s Public Benefits Unit and founded NYLAG’s Shelter Advocacy Initiative, providing representation to people experiencing homelessness. 

Deborah advocates...

This week we talk with Deborah Berkman she is a Coordinating Attorney with the New York Legal Assistance Group’s Public Benefits Unit and founded NYLAG’s Shelter Advocacy Initiative, providing representation to people experiencing homelessness. 

Deborah advocates for single adults and families to receive habitable emergency shelter and housing subsidies so that they may transition to permanent housing. 

In this episode,  she dives ...

This is part 2 of the conversation we had with City Relief's CEO Josiah Haken about what it takes to change the narrative around homelessness. People have many stereotypes about homelessness, and these assumptions can be unknowingly harmful.

In part two, Josiah encourages us to dismantle our preexisting belief systems and treat everyone we encounter with compassion and openness.

Download your free guide, click here:

https://cityrel...

This week we talk with City Relief's CEO Josiah Haken about what it takes to change the narrative around homelessness. People have many stereotypes about homelessness, and these assumptions can be unknowingly harmful.

In this episode, Josiah encourages us to dismantle our preexisting belief systems and treat everyone we encounter with compassion and openness. He also delves into how helping people experiencing homelessness is an ac...

Tune into the second part of this dynamic conversation with Tricia Philbert. She breaks down a program we call VIP. This program gives people experiencing homelessness the opportunity to serve their neighbors. The people who've participated as VIPs tell us they walk away from this experience with more self-worth and dignity, having been of service to other people.

Download your free guide, click here:

https://cityrelief.org/podcas...

In this episode, we talk with Tricia Philbert. She has been on the ground with City Relief for the past three years, helping people in crisis. Tricia is a Licensed social worker and Adjunct Professor at Nyack College and enjoys teaching and training young leaders in social work.

In the first half of her interview, she discussed how growing up in Brooklyn, and her life experiences prepared her heart to walk alongside people experien...

Meet Wayne Batchelor; he shares his story of experiencing homelessness in New York City over the last few years. Wayne was seeking humanity from anyone during the height of the pandemic when many resources New Yorkers take for granted were unavailable.

His resiliency was awe-inspiring and left us imagining ways we could show more humanity to those we encounter experiencing homelessness.

Download your free guide, click here:

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