Angels of the Light: Recent Episodes
Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna
Vikki and Lisa talk about how God will give you vision and insight and it’s up to you to say yes. Whether it’s starting late in life with a marriage, ministry career job or a hobby, it can seem intimidating. However their message of encouragement is just the antidote you need to give you the motivation and boldness to take that first step.
Raising funds essential for the non-profit world. Lisa and Vikki talk tips and tricks on bringing in partners. Fund raising is just about rain funds its also about raising awareness.
Vikki and Lisa share the struggle of walking and reflecting in the goodness of God. Sharing life with others can be rewarding and challenging. We have the opportunity daily to be good with each other even when we don't feel like it.
Vikki and Lisa share the struggle of walking and reflecting in the goodness of God. Sharing life with others can be rewarding and challenging. We have the opportunity daily to be good with each other even when we don't feel like it.
In this episode Lisa and Vikki share the importance of being intentional in your attire and your spiritual attire as well. People treat us the way we present ourselves.
On this segment of The Angels of the Light Podcast Vikki and Lisa share tips on how to turn your frown upside down. Taking the time to focus on what's right is the antidote to conquer what is wrong. Life is too short not to experience joy.
Lisa and Vikki discuss how Jesus wants you to be you. The enemy wants your mouth shut and your story not to be told. People need to her about your journey. Be who Jesus made you to be.
Lisa and Vikki share how important it is to tap into the supernatural when living day to day. Life brings its challenges and people bring their own, but God's grace is sufficient. God will give you grace for the place.
"Put the clothes on that Gods calls us to wear and do well the assignment he has given us." Vikki Luna
Vikki and Lisa talk about why and how they celebrate Easter and what resurrection power really means. Backyard barbecues, eggs with hidden treasures, family, friends and gatherings, but what is the real reason for the season?
Vikki and Lisa share how to successfully go through the challenges of life. Life happens. It happens to everyone of us but each opportunity is a chance for our character to be refined and an opportunity to show the world around us. The challenges of life don’t have to knock us down.
Vikki and Lisa meet with Miss Clovis 2022. Caleigh Alday is a young vibrant beautiful young lady who is living a life on purpose. Not only does she dance, she loves the Lord and gives back to her community. She will be running for Miss California. Let's give her our vote and make this year's pageant shine little brighter.
When is the best time to say goodbye? Vikki and Lisa discuss the topic on this weeks show. Sit back and relax and listen to the Angels of the Light podcast.
We are starting the month of love. Listen to Vikki and Lisa explain what Love means to them. Sit back and enjoy!
Listen to Vikki and Lisa explain how they see God in the trials of life. How can we become better at giving than receiving? Sit back and listen to the Angels of the Light podcast.
Lisa and Vikki are back for the new year. They challenge themselves daily to live a cause driven life. They share their recent experiences that help them stay on God's track. Listen along and find your own purpose in life.
Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez-Austin share with you some of the secrets in getting the job done. From household chores to family life to their everyday work week these ladies get it done. Discover where they find their strength and perseverance to be able to be successful.
Lisa and Vikki join us today and discuss having the ready set go mentality. God will direct you and you have to be ready to change direction or go at the drop of a hat. Being in a state of readiness is what matters. Join us today for this special discussion.
Vikki and Lisa have a wonderful relationship and encourage the listeners to be careful during this continuing season of Covid. They want everyone to use caution, be safe and healthy, but not give up friendships. Keeping friendships and company are the best way to deal with these trying times.
Lisa and Vikki find it a priority to take good care of their health. They do this with their mental, physical and spiritual well being. They share today some simple tips on how you can be healthy and whole.
Life brings with it challenges. Sometimes we’re on the mountain and sometimes we have to walk through the valley. When life happens all we can do is respond with concern or confidence. Join us as we share our confidence in Christ
After a long break of sheltering in place Lisa and Vikki are back. They are here to offer words of encouragement and provide a place for community and faith.
Vikki and Lisa talk about the struggles of life, and how you can learn from the things happening you!
Angels of the Light Podcast talks with Charlotte Bavaro Co-founder of Helping One Woman.
Lisa and Vikki talk with Safe Famlies For Children, an organization making a difference in children's lives throughout Fresno!
https://www.amazon.com.mx/God-Never-Changes-Land-Living/dp/1973669331 Lisa and Vikki talk with Author Elaine M. Thorpe. Her new book is on sale now!
Lisa and Vikki explain the reason things happen, and what God does to help you through it!
Chaplain Steve Wemmer who specializes in helping inmates find god talks with Lisa and Vikki about what it takes to help reform those who have made mistakes in life.
Lisa and Vikki talk about what it takes to give yourself to a higher power, and learning how to be patient with people that need love in their lives.
Lisa and Vikki are truly special people that do wonderful things for everyone around them simply because it's the right thing to do. Producing these podcasts for them is an honor, and I hope to produce many more for these wonderful ladies!
Vikki Luna with her Lighthouse Recovery Program, share with us her 100 Women fundraiser. Running a faith based program requires love, faith and resources. This is a first-time fundraiser for Vikki so she explains how it came to be and the blessing it was.
Lisa and Vikki talk about faith and how to practice. One way the Angels practice faith is through tithing 10 percent to their local church and above that to various non-profits. They say the rewards from this practice are plentiful.
In this week's episode, Lisa and Vikki prepare to get much needed inspiration from Joyce Meyer. Joyce is making her west coast stop and the ladies are excited and ready to go. They discuss taking their education to the next level. We wait for the Angels to return, so we all can get some much needed motivation.
Photo by Dario Valenzuela - Unsplash
In the Merriam-Webster dictionary the word mentor means: a trusted counselor or guide.
Both Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna have done their share of mentoring other young women. But as Vikki says in this podcast the most important aspect of mentoring is teaching the word of God. If you have children, teach them from early on how to live their lives without reproach. When you have young children you need to take your time to nurture them. Once they are trained in the word of God, He will provide them with wisdom for all the aspects of their lives. When you see a young person in need of guidance, pour into them positive thoughts, nurture them with wisdom and show them the posibility of a life full of love.
Photo by: Joshua Coleman - Unsplash
We all have to wear different hats…the one of a wife, father, friend, etc. According to Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna, some hats are difficult to wear, some are even embarrassing. You wear the hats, even the difficult ones, with humbleness because it is what God has assigned for you. And the most important hat of all is the one we wear as a representative of God on earth. Whatever hat you choose to wear, wear it with love, joy and peace. Try to always remember that when you wear a hat with love in your heart, it leaves an everlasting impression on people.
In today's podcast you get to meet Nikki Catallo. She shares with Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez how much her life changed when God came and asked her to serve. It all started when her best friend encouraged her to be a mentor to women suffering from substance abuse. While mentoring, she bonded with a woman struggling to stay sober. She stuck with her through the good and the bad. Even through the point where this person found herself pregnant and in jail. When the time came, Nikki took the baby home at the bequest of the mother. The woman and the father of the baby eventually lost all parental rights to their child. But that didn't matter since the baby already had a loving home. However, God tested her faith once more when she found out the little girl had brain cancer. Nikki, along with her family, pushed through and their faith in God never faltered. She is happy to report the baby is now cancer free.
If you would like to speak to Nikki Catallo, call: (559) 304-1327
In this podcast Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez speak with LuAnne Pinedo Madden, a cancer survivor, now afflicted with Dystonia, a movement disorder in which a person's muscles contract uncontrollably. Even though LuAnne has to struggle with this disoder for the rest of her life, she doesn't allow her condition define her. She lives life to the fullest. What is her secret? Giving of herself to others and to the community. Her biggest passion is to give. And she believes she has been blessed by God for willingness to always find a way to give back.
If you would like to speak to LuAnne, call: (559) 970-2868
At times we are our own worst enemies. We can't seem to separate our own family conflicts from our work challenges. We often bring our old hurts to our present challenges and we don't resolve the issues at hand appropriately. The book: Don't Bring It To Work by Silvia Lafair shows you how to break the cycle of pattern repetition and offers the tools that can turn unhealthy family baggage into creative energy that will foster better workplace associations and career success.
Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna share the importance of acquiring healthy coping mechanisms in order to become a better person and a better worker. They also encourage people to let the holy spirit be their guide. Ask Him to be a better leader, a better team player, a better peacemaker. Because without Him we do the work with our own energy and working with our own energy is exhausting. We will scrape ourselves more often than when we lean on Him.
The stigma of mental illness causes many problems for the individuals affected by this illness as well as their families. It often causes people to suffer in silence and may prevent them from getting diagnosed in time. There are times when the help comes too late. In this podcast, Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk with Christina Valdez-Roup, executive director of NAMI, about how this organization serves the mental health needs of our community.
NAMI stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness. They have been serving the Fresno community for 40 years. Their goal is to reduce the stigma of mental illness. They provide hope and improve quality of life for those affected by this disease at no cost. The organization has a 24/7 crisis hot line where a person can get help right away.
If you want to learn more about NAMI, volunteer or donate, you can call: (559) 224-2469 or you can visit their website: https://namifresno.org/
In today's podcast, Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez celebrate friendship. July 30th is World Friendship Day and on August 4th is National Friendship Day.
“There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship.” – Thomas Aquinas
Vikki and Lisa share what friendship means to them. They have developed and nurtured friendships by identifying healthy habits in others. By not being too critical and judging them at different standards than they judge themselves. To them, the key to a lasting friendship is to always be truthful and to set healthy boundaries. They wish you a lifetime of wonderful friendships that will enhance your life forever.
Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna talk with Cruz Avila, executive director of the Poverello House in Fresno. The Poverello House is a non-profit organization which has helped the homeless in Fresno for over 45 years. It was founded by Mike McGarvin, who as a young man received much needed help from a priest who ran a coffee house in San Francisco also called Poverello. Years later, Mike, who everyone affectionally called "papa Mike", moved to Fresno with his wife Mary and started the non-profit organization as a way to help the homeless in the community. His philosophy: "Listen with compassion; give with a warm heart and a smile".
Cruz Avila follows this philosophy and shares with us his hope that one day everyone sees the homeless without any judgement. He would like people to stop believing the homeless are in the streets because they want to be there and instead listen to their story and find out how they got there.
If you want information, volunteer or donate to the Poverello House, you can do so by calling: (559) 498-6988 or go to https://poverellohouse.org
By Ben White for Unsplash
In a recent trip Lisa Casarez took to Kona, Hawaii, where she got married and honeymooned...she met a woman, Shayna Puaala Ahlo DePonte-Rodrigues who had fallen on hard times. She was, as she described it, in the pit of hell when she was rescued by Jesus. Shayna now dedicates her life to give testimony of God's powers and miracles. Lisa took a little time of her honeymoon to interview her so she can share her salvation story.
Shayna started a Facebook page titled: Jesus & coffee Warriors where you can read her blog and inspirational bible stories.
This week's episode has to do with collaborating with others. We don't have all the answers, being open to help and networking can get someone further in the journey. Faced with challenges and questions the Angels give advice, systems, and tools, to achieve your greatest potential.
Lisa and Vikki walk, talk and do everything they can to be with the light. If it's not for God's presence in us, the world would be dark. Only through us can we enjoy God and all his divine mercy. Listen to the Angels talk about how and why the light is the only way to see out of the dark.
In this week's episode Lisa and Vikki sit down with Denise Wyatt. Denise is the Executive director who discusses why she chooses to take on this amazing opportunity. She is a nurturer and a mother with a dedication to helping the children and the women in the area.
These quotes are direct from their website at Fhcfresno.org,
"The Family Healing Center is a non-profit organization that provides critical services to women and children who are victims/survivors of sexual and physical abuse, domestic violence, and victims who witness abuse. It is a comfortable place where women and children can feel safe and free from distractions and/or public scrutiny. The center strives to promote a sense of safety, trauma reduction, and consistency to abuse survivors and non-offending family members.
At the Center, we care for victims of Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Family Violence with care and compassion. Our staff members are here to help you and your family through the healing process."
Sit back and relax and listen to another great episode of Angels of the light Podcast.
.In this week's episode, the angels discuss how to stay calm, cool and collected during challenging times. They discuss when in doubt or stressed out, ask God for guidance. He will listen. We are not born with the answers, so it's okay to have a moment or two to find yourself.
Vikki suggests a book by Max Lucado called, Anxious for Nothing Finding Calm in a Chaotic World. Here is a tool that can be utilized when we are searching for some guidance.
Sit back and listen to two wonderful women working God's plan every day. It's not easy as you will here, but they manage every time to be calm, cool and collected.
Photo by Mike Baker on Unsplash
"Everything which is done in the present, affects the future by consequence, and the past by redemption." - Unknown
For Lisa Casarez the month of June is linked with bad memories and apprehension. Lots of negative experiences in her past have happened in this month. However, Lisa also believes in redemption. As she approaches her wedding in a couple of weeks in Hawaii, she believes God will give her redemption in her relationships, in her experiences, changing the course of her life.
Vikki Luna tells Lisa in this podcast how God will bring her through a place of newness, a place of healing.
In last week's episode we introduced you to Debra Rush, a survivor of sex trafficking. In today's podcast Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna talk to the co-author of the book A Cry of the Heart: Human Trafficking, One Survivor's True Story, Penelope Childers. She and Debra worked tirelessly for five years to bring this book to life. Penelope shares that when she began to write this memoir, she had no clue how to even begin. However, God assisted by guiding her in the right direction every step of the way.
Penelope tells us this book is beyond human trafficking. It is about the loss of hope, feeling you are not good enough but at the end finding that no one is beyond redemption. And how the rescue of Debra Rush from human trafficking was orchestrated by God.
To know more about the author and how to obtain the book go to: www.penelopechilders.com
When Debra Rush was a teenager, a violent gang member kidnapped her and took her to an undisclosed location. He then forced her into sex trafficking. After surviving this nightmare, Debra managed to rise from the ashes and earn a degree in Human Services. She went on to co-found Breaking the Chains, a non-profit organization that rescues women from human trafficking. She partnered with Tiffany Apodaca to build the first safe house in California’s Central Valley which helps women forced into sex trafficking.
Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk to Debra about her experiences and how she coped with post-traumatic stress and how she managed to overcome shame and guilt left by her trauma. They discuss the dangers that young women face now a days being pray of sexual predators.
According to the U.S. State Department, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year. 80% are female and half are children. Approximately 80% of trafficking involves sexual exploitation. 19% involves labor exploitation. Human trafficking is the third largest international crime industry (behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking). It reportedly generates a profit of $32 billion every year. Of that number, $15.5 billion is made in industrialized countries.
Debra Rush was named State of California Woman of the Year in 2018. If you would like to know more about Breaking the Chains, go to their website: www.btcfresno.org or call 1-888-858-2021
Photo by Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash
Yesterday was a day of celebration for all the mothers in this country and many parts of the world. Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna share with us what motherhood means to them. When Vikki found out she was going to be a mother for the first time, she knew she had to be closer to God and welcomed Jesus in her life. All the mothers she wanted to emulate had an intimate relationship with God and she wanted to be that kind of mother for her kids. Lisa and Vikki had a challenging relationship with their mothers which motivated them to be better mothers to their kids.
They tell us being a mother is a privilege but it is also not an easy journey. There are hard times, which seem to last forever. When those difficult times come your way, just breathe through them because they will pass. Embrace being a mother every day because it's God's assignment.
According to an article published in 2016 in the New England Journal of Medicine...in 2011, 45% of pregnancies were unintended—a decline from 51% in 2008. The rate of unintended pregnancies decreased 18%—from 54–45 unintended pregnancies per 1,000 women age 15–44 years.
Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk with Kristi Burkhart, Executive Director of Fresno Pregnancy Care Center in Fresno, about the options the center provides for women who find themselves with an unintended pregnancy. Some of the options are medical testing, education and emotional support. They also refer mothers-to-be to other community organizations or agencies that will assist them with more services, key to the healthy development of the pregnancy.
For more information visit their website: http://pregnancycarecenter.com or text them at (559) 237-0683
Photo By: Joshua Eckstein - Unsplash
"Leadership is not about titles, positions or flow charts; it is about one life influencing another." -unknown
In today's podcast Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk about what leadership has meant to them both personally and professionally. They tell us leadership is design by God in the womb. He hand picks those individuals who will be the voice of those less fortunate. It is important for those leaders to be in fellowship with God on a daily basis because, if they don't, there is a chance the beast of pride will intercept and can create havoc by making the individual lose focus.
God puts us on earth to be a blessing in others people's lives, to bring heaven to earth and to expand his kingdom.
Obesity in the United Estates is at an all time high. Over 39% of the adult population are obese. According to Doctor Charles Denman, the problems stem from our lifestyle. He tells Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna we need to change how we relate to food. We need to stop using food as a crutch for our emotions. For example, eat out of boredom; we eat out of frustration; we eat out of loneliness. The first thing we need to do is to change our relationship with food. We need to think of food as nourishment, as a way to sustain us, to keep us alive.
Doctor Denman and a team of professionals work with patients to help them lose weight and keep it off. If you want more information about his clinic, go to their website: succeedmedicalweightloss.com or call (559) 323-7822
Photo by: Austin Neill/ Unsplash
In today's podcast Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna share their commitment to weight loss for the month of April. They tell us how it sometimes takes a health crisis for people to realize the need to change their life style. It is so important not to wait until something goes wrong. Take care of your body now and it will take care of you in the future. Treat it like the temple it is because it is God's masterpiece. Ask God to help you in your quest for a healthy life.
As we get older it is hard to take care of our body, often because we lack motivation. But you have to nurture yourself because when you are unhealthy you can't accomplish anything.
Make small changes...take a walk, drink eight glasses of water per day, don't drink sodas. Those little changes make a difference at the end. If you take little steps of positive change in your life you will reach a place where you are healthy before you know it.
In this episode, we sit down with our precious friend Reverend Bryan Lee Martin. he is the author of Kindness Is The Most Powerful Little Thing in the World. We discuss how a simple smile can be contagious and much needed. Throughout all of our backgrounds, we see what the lack of kindness can do to our society. A simple smile to a stranger can communicate through all barriers, an understanding of love. Reverend Bryan talks about his book and why it's needed in a world of utmost distraction.
Imagine yourself at 60 years of age having to start your life over... well, that is exactly what happened to Janie Jurkovich. Janie is our guest in today's podcast. She talks very candidly with Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez about how her life changed drastically when her husband of 35 years left her. She tells us her life was a real mess and she was in a lot of debt. Then, just when she was at her worst, divine intervention guided her to the world of writing. She started writing a blog and as time went by it evolved into writing books.
The book "Live the Life You Have Imagined!" is designed to help women live their best life. Janie imparts her wisdom, gained through her many life experiences, in the pages of the book. She hopes women read the book and start taking steps to live a meaningful and joyful life.
Janie now dedicates her life to running in track and field events, traveling the world, and expanding her knowledge whenever and wherever she can.
If you would like more information about her, visit her website: https://janiej.net/
In this week's podcast, Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna talk with guest Lorraine Sepeda. Lorraine works as a job developer with the program CalWorks within the educational institution of Fresno City College.
The program is funded through grants by the Department Of Social Services in the county of Fresno. CalWORKs is dedicated to providing services to low income parents, currently receiving cash aid, who are seeking to become self sufficient through education.
Once the parents graduate from their college program, and have received job training, Lorraine's job is to find them a job. According to Lisa, this program provides people an opportunity to get up in the morning, go to work and contribute. It provides people with significance.
If you would like more information you could go to their website at:
https://www.fresnocitycollege.edu/student-services/calworks/index.html
or you could call Lorraine Sepeda at: (559) 442-8286
Photo by: Luca Bravo /Unsplash
Do you ever wonder why you are going through a particular event in your life? Why are you experiencing whatever it is and others are not? Well, as Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna tell us, God orders our steps with an ultimate goal in mind. Sometimes the answer doesn't reveal itself until much later in life, then everything clicks and all makes sense! Your experience during those steps you took will help others identify with you. Sometimes the experience is a painful one but if God can heal your wounds so will He heal others.
God has called on us to share our story. He wants us to be victorious in our walk. If you want to be victorious, you must leave the life of a victim behind and help others with their own healing by showing them the way.
Some people say there is a disconnect in our society. We walk around angry, never taking responsibility for our actions, always blaming someone else. In many instances, our anger follows us from childhood. This anger or resentment prevents us from having meaningful relationships. It keeps us from bonding and truly loving one another. Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk with Doctor Janet Olivares who has a PhD in Christian Counseling. She runs the Rapha Christian Counseling Center where they provide counseling by balancing body, mind and soul so there is no room for chaos.
Rapha Christian Counseling Center is a non-profit organization. Their goal is for their clients to become accountable to God. They teach how to follow God's word in order to become God strong.
If you would like to contact the center, call: (559) 824-6619. If you would like to contact Dr. Olivares, email: drjanet@raphaccc.org
Photo by Ismael Paramo - Unsplash
Just recently Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez participated in a prayer breakfast for leaders in the city of Fresno. Afterward they felt empowered and invigorated by the words spoken in this meeting. They share with us the importance of prayer to leaders. They believe every leader should ask themselves if they are leading following God's word. Are you doing everything within your ability as a Godly leader to bring heaven on earth?
Vikki and Lisa tell us that in order to understand the heart of God, we need to pray. And if you are not a leader, you need to pray for those who lead us so they can do the work that God has called them to do.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou
In today's podcast Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk with Mary Swarts from Send Out Cards. They discuss the importance of building relationships. How people, in general, are looking for connection. The company Swarts works for was founded by Kody Bateman who believes the key to business success is to create genuine relationships, appreciating your customers and clients, and networking to give.
By letting someone know you care and appreciate them, you are sharing your positive energy to lift people up.
To learn more about Send Out Cards go to:
www.SendOutCards.com or call Mary Swarts at (559) 269-2887 or email her at marys_sendacard@yahoo.com
The Light HousePamela Cutting
The Light House Recovery Program is a non profit organization that helps women recover from drug and alcohol addiction. Their goal is to help the women in the recovery program become a productive, contributing member of both their family and their community.
Vikki Luna, director of the Light House Recovery Program, along with Lisa Casarez, discuss in this podcast with their guest, Pamela Cutting, what her role is as a therapist to the women and their families.
Pamela shares how the number one goal within the program is to teach the women to overcome their addiction by learning how to cope with their emotions. Once they learn to cope, then they can help repair their relationships with their loved ones.
Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unslapsh
Social Media has been around since the 1990s when bloggers first came on the scene on the internet. Bloggers used this medium to share their experiences or beliefs and people around the world could read their message.
Social Media grew rapidly after 2001 when the first ever profile based platform took hold in our society. Although social media is a great communication tool, it can also be a tool for misinformation and for predatory use.
Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez share in this podcast how they have used social media to minister to the community and to share what God is doing in their lives. They tell us how important it is to ask yourself, before posting anything, what the motive is behind your post. Vikki and Lisa say it is very important not to be impulsive when posting anything, so there are no regrets. Social media has to serve you, not you serving "it".
Photo by Ben White - Unsplash
Each life is made up of mistakes and learning, waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.Billy Graham
What do you do when waiting for God? This is the question Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna ask in this episode. For them, the waiting has been easier because the actions they take in daily life are all for God. If you surrender to God you should expect beauty in return. If your motives are all about the "Self", then the waiting becomes rougher. You should ask yourself, what is my motivation? Are my actions benefiting me or God? It is important to remember that in life, we are constantly chasing the goals that God sets out for us. When you act as God expects of you, then expect goodness and mercy all the days of your life in return.
Focus Forward is a non-profit organization established to help the youth of Fresno County who are in the Juvenile and/ or Child Welfare system. The organization provides the young with programs such as: family strengthening, cultural arts, mentoring, and case management. Today's guest is Coreen Campos, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Forward who tells Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna how the organization also assists youth in foster care by providing access to clothing, higher education support, and scholarships. Campos shares her own experience as a child who was once homeless and lived in the foster care system. Those experiences have motivated her to serve youth in need. All three ladies agree that in order to connect with others you have to open up and share your story. Lisa was once featured in the magazine as an example of how to overcome adversity. The best advice they can give, "don't be paralyzed by what you went through in your past."
If you would like to find out more about Focus Forward, go to their website: www.focusforward.org or call (559) 600-4961
How far we've come. Lisa and Vikki share part of their life journey. This is an exciting episode that we hear how rocky starts bring sturdy foundations. God has a plan for all of us. Most of the time we want it on our schedule. Vikki and Lisa tell us about their humble beginnings. Sit back and listen to the hope that is available if only we can believe.
"To the world, you may be one person, but to one person you are the world," Heather Cortez
Lisa and Vikki sit down with an amazing person. Elizabeth Sandate-Terrones was once one of Lisa's babies and still is to this day. Elizabeth now works with Angels of Grace Foster Family agency. Sit back and listen to her explain why and how she came to the agency. Her amazing story will surely inspire hope in your life.
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries or F.I.R.M.’s mission is to share Christ’s love while building communities of hope with new Americans.
Why FIRM?
Fresno provides a wonderful place for refugees fleeing their countries. They find Fresno’s low cost of living very appealing to families. Many of the communities they serve are Southeast Asian, Ukrainian, and Slovik, African, and Syrians. The Southeast Asian communities generally consist of Hmong, Laotian, Cambodian, and Vietnamese. Many Lao Hmong war refugees resettled in the US following the North Vietnamese invasion of Laos and Laotian Civil War during the Vietnam War. They provide rich culture and add diversity to the area. This happens to be the biggest refugee population in the Fresno area. Not as big as the Hmong community, Zachary describes the other programs such as the African, Syrian and Ukrainian. The war in Syria has displaced half of the population or 12 million. Fresno is a secondary resettlement area. Once a refugee has been admitted into the United States they are free to move where they like. Fresno can be up to a quarter of the price for housing, hence the influx of recent Syrians.
Community Gardens
F.I.R.M has 5 gardens in the surrounding area. These gardens are essential for these new families. These gardens can serve up to 100 gardeners. 3 gardens are for the southeast Asians, 1 for the Ukrainians, and 1 for the African community. Mental health plays a huge role in the refugee community, having clean and traditional food, is one aspect.
Volunteers
Volunteers are crucial for the work of F.I.R.M. Without the 1,000 volunteers annually, they couldn’t provide the necessary amenities for the refugees. Their administration building is very old and through the work of donations and volunteers, they were able to have new paint and flooring throughout.
Hope Now For Youth
Rev. Roger Minassian started Hope Now for Youth in Fresno at the end of April of 1992. Roger just had ended a 4-day prayer session asking God for direction. During this time Roger met with three local gang members. He remembers one vividly. This young man was 14 years old and lived with his grandmother. Roger asked him about his parents. His mother was a heroin addict and his father was getting out of jail, from a one-year prison term. He also added that his stepmother was raped and murdered by his father’s brother his uncle. After this conversation, as Roger was driving home, he started to cry. Crying was something that Roger rarely did. So much so he had to pull his car off the road and ask God why. Roger realized he was furious that he gets to watch, through his life, that these gang members are wasting away. Soon after Hope Now for Youth was established. The requirements for the clients:
. 16-24 years old
. Been in Gangs
. Incarcerated
. High School Drop OutIn 1992 there were 87 homicides in the city of Fresno. Mostly these homicides were gang-related.
Hope now in 2018
Pastor Bryce Naylor is the Executive Director and explains how their program works. Bryce states that when one life changes it has an immediate effect on six others. That is not including the future generations. He explains that the men who enter their doors are men who have been rejected by society, gang members, and drug addicts. They have also been told by their families and friends that you can’t change and don’t even try. At this time 185 gangs exist in the city of Fresno. So their program is much needed. Hope Now for Youth is a Christ-based program, but they don’t force anyone solely down that road. Their mission is to find these men jobs. Their program lasts 3 weeks. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 3.5 hours they meet to work with counselors, staff and their colleagues to help overcome their daily challenges.
Pastor Bryce explains that they need help with donated bikes, cars and odd jobs. An odd job is, someone from the community has work to do around the house, they can call to have their client come and gain work experience. They only ask that they pay minimum wage and work at least 3 hours. Pastor explains the difference between dirty money and clean money. Clean money is money earned honestly and dirty money is what they’re used to making. There’s a feeling of accomplishment when honest money is made.
Their number one graduate from 1994 is still employed by the hospital that hired him back in 1994. Hope Now for Youth is making the changes inside this Fresno community. They always need help and look forward to helping the less fortunate.
Merry Christmas everyone. Lisa and Vikki discuss the reason for the season. This time of year we await the coming of our savior Jesus. God sent his only son to be with us and to die for our sins so that we can live an abundant life. We must always be grateful for what we have.
This season can always bring hopelessness and despair for whom don't live a life of gratitude. Lisa discusses that she is always ready to save a child. Sometimes traditions need to be changed or start anew. Be ready for that moment of Grace. Don't get wrapped up in the commercialism and do not be afraid to say Merry Christmas.
The end of the year is fast approaching and most of us are too busy to take stock of our accomplishments for the year. As Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez tell us most people start the year with an "Ambition Board", or, as Vikki calls it, a "Prayer Tree", highlighting all the things they want to change about themselves or their lives. Sometimes these lists are too broad, too many things to change. They say it is best when you focus on one or two things you really would like to change. Before the year ends, analyze what goals you didn't reach and why. Next year make sure to remove all obstacles that prevent you from reaching your goals. Above all, be grateful, for you may not be where you want to be but, thank God, you are not where you used to be.
In today's podcast Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez speak to Anthony "AP" Armour, Executive Director of Neighborhood Industries. He opens up about his early years and the struggles he went through being an orphan. As he entered his teen years he became homeless living in a school bus. "AP" believes he is a product of other people's generosity when they rescued him because they saw something in him that was worth saving. He believed God used them to save his life. Now he is paying it forward by helping others get back on their feet through training and employment.
If you would like to find more information on Neighborhood Industries go to their website: http://neighborhoodindustries.com
Bryan Feil of Lanna Coffee tells us that God can use one or many of us to do his work here on earth. All one has to do is to say yes to the opportunity and then take the next step.
Even with all the darkness around us we have seen an amazing place where we want to be as humans: united, loving and supportive of each other. God is with us, especially at the darkest hours in our lives. Tap into the spirit of God because he is our comforter.
Avoiding burnout is not as complicated as it seems. The key is to take care of your physical being, as well as your mental and emotional condition. Taking care of yourself will help you take care of the world.
Today's guest is the Executive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central California, Diane Phakonekham who tells us how one can change the life of a child in need for the better, forever.
Finding freedom in the word of God leads us to live a life full of joy and a piece of mind that everything will work in our favor.
Would you like to help children in foster care? Then join CASA or Court Appointed Special Advocates, a non-profit agency composed of volunteers that represent children in the foster care system to make sure their voices are heard.
Vikki Luna shares her life story. One of early childhood frustrations that later became a message of hope and faith for other women.
Garden of Innocence was created to give a dignified burial to abandoned babies. These babies receive much love at the burial ceremony by community members who are there to give them a loving send off.
Fresno and Madera counties have one of the greatest concentrations of poverty in the nation. Habitat For Humanity is a non-profit Christian based organization aimed at eliminating poverty housing. Through donors and volunteers, Habitat in Fresno has made the dream come true for many families by providing a home and, at the same time, giving them hope for the future.
In order to succeed in anything you do in life, you have to have confidence. God gives you the power to move in your calling with confidence. He will give you the boldness and confidence to live your life from the inside out and to go out into the community.
Nené Casares, president of the Central California Women's Conference joins Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez to talk about this year's conference which will take place on September 25th and is already sold out! They talk about the history of the conference and how it has grown every year.
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“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” ― Charles Dickens
Just as the saying goes: It is better to give than to receive. Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez tell us in this podcast that when you are serving others, you are serving unto God. They urge you that while you are living this temporary life to look not only at your own interests but to the interests of others. It is in this selfless act of giving that you let God know how thankful you are for everything He has done for you. Vikki and Lisa tell us of the great joy you receive when you serve your community. They tell us that you find yourself when you lose yourself in others.
Marjaree Mason Center was established in 1979 in Fresno, California through the YWCA. Its mission is to help victims of domestic violence living in the central valley. It was named after a young woman, with a bright future ahead of her, who was violently killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1978. The center provides emergency as well as long term shelter for adults and children fleeing a violent domestic environment. The center is now the largest in the state of California and one of the largest in the country. Our guest this week is the director of the center, Nicole Linder. Linder tells Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna how calls to law enforcement for domestic violence in the central valley are 63% higher than the state average. Linder also shares the signs a person exhibits when they are in a domestic violence situation.
Marjaree Mason Hot Line: (559) 233-HELP (4357)
For more information on the center: www.mmcenter.org
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash
Sometimes in life we come to a crossroad and we don't know which way to go. Wouldn't it be nice if we could rely on others to get a clear sense of what we need to do? According to our guest today, Joan Sandlin, you can get "unstuck" by reaching out to other like minded people through the mastermind groups she leads. Joan reveals to Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna how members of these groups participate in giving ideas, solutions or suggestions to help each other. This will in turn help them get beyond whatever holds them back. Vikki participated in one of the groups and it helped her grow personally and professionally.
Joan also talks about the three P's in etiquette: Power, Polish and Presence. She tells us to practice utilizing these in order have a successful life. Listen to this podcast to learn how Joan was inspired by God and she embarked on this journey to teach people how to have a relationship with the Lord.
To contact Joan Sandlin - jcs1231@sbcglobal.net
Photo by: Rawpixel @unsplash Photo by: Tim Gouw @Unsplash What is the definition of Etiquette? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: "It is the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life". In other words, it is the customary code of polite behavior in society to be exhibited in a professional or group setting. In this podcast, Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez tells us how we are judged within seconds of meeting someone. You must put your best foot forward from the get go. They tell us that practicing great etiquette is like establishing an excellent relationship with others as well as with yourself so you can love your neighbor as well as you do yourself. Listen to Vikki and Lisa as they list tips of good etiquette which will enable you to build great relationships and to make the best first impression you can.
photo by Dulcey-Lima
Photo by Jack Cain on Unsplash
In order to achieve and maintain excellent leadership skills you have to continuously grow and never stop learning. Who you will be in five years has to do with the books you currently read and the people you associate with. Vikki Luna tells Lisa Casarez about the book she is currently reading: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. One of the author's recommendations to be more effective is to be proactive and not reactive. Anticipate adversity and determine solutions, instead of reacting to a situation after it has evolved. Both Lisa and Vikki employ this tactic in their professional and personal lives by, for example, holding regular staff meeting or family meetings. These meetings help build up relationships and reinforce the fact that no one can go through life alone. However, the most important relationship there is to develop is the one you establish with God. Never stop growing and never stop learning.
Fresno Women's Network
The Fresno Women's Network has been in the community since 1987 empowering women to grow their businesses by working together, supporting one another, and giving back to the community at the same time. Both Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez belong to this network which has helped their non-profit organization tremendously as well as provided them with the opportunity of growth, both personally and professionally. In this podcast they speak to Debbie Milla, President of the network, about the benefits of belonging to this organization.
For more information on Fresno Women's Network go to:
https://members-fresnowomensnetwork.org/Home
or call: (559) 450-2102
Lisa and Vikki discuss Living out loud. They discuss what it means and why they live out loud. Once you know that God is the way, not a way living becomes easier.
Alex Hudson was only diagnosed with Lyme Disease in the last year of her life. She carried the disease undiagnosed for 10 years. Doctors were unable to link her symptoms with the disease. Jody explains that dirty ticks carry multiple infectious diseases with them. Not only did Alex have the Lyme disease she carried multiple infections, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella, and Rickettsiosis. Each one of the infections carried their own symptoms and problems. If that wasn't bad enough she had Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Alex's mom Jody explains that she never took any pain relievers during the decade of attack. Alex wanted to be totally aware all the time and when it came time. Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation Jody set up the Foundation to extend awareness and education and raise money for Lyme Disease especially Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Jody writes about her daughter's story:
On March 24, 2018, the world lost Alex Hudson to Lyme Disease and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). A vibrant 22-year-old girl, Alex had the whole world waiting for her. With a full ride scholarship to UCLA, Alex was eager to further her education and tackle the world with her energetic spirit and vibrant mind. Unfortunately, after a ten-year battle with Lyme and MCAS, her life ended abruptly; leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of everyone whom she met.
For nearly a decade, Alex visited countless doctors, underwent numerous tests, received multiple misdiagnoses, and suffered immensely. While many medical professionals often deemed her a “medical mystery,” she never lost hope and finally received a proper Lyme and MCAS diagnosis in 2017. While her family and friends were grateful for concrete answers, many feared the disease had already taken a significant toll on her body. Alex passed away less than a year later.
One of Alex’s last wishes was to help educate her community, and help fund proper testing, for those suffering from Lyme and MCAS. After she passed, Alex’s mother, Jody Hudson, and a team of women came together to help form The Alex Hudson Lyme Foundation. Dedicated to spreading awareness and educating others on Lyme and MCAS, the AHLF team is passionate about being advocates for those affected by such a tumultuous disease.
If you would like to follow the latest in the foundation be sure to subscribe to the social media accounts.
Instagram is here.
If you like to donate.
This is a sensitive material that might not be suitable for children
Hurting people, hurt people. Kids that have gone through some type of abuse, whether it's sexual, physical, mental or emotional end up acting out their abuse through negative behavior. They act out in anger because they don't know how to express themselves or how to cope with their emotions. Some of these children don't get the psychological help they need in early childhood and therefore they become abusers as adults, repeating the cycle of abuse. Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna talk, in this episode, to Margarita Doñez, a doctoral psychology student, who gives advice on how to deal with children who have been victimized so they don't become abusive adults.
This podcast is dedicated to the memory of Carmela Liberta, a woman who made a big difference in the lives of both Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez. She was a mentor and a big sister, who lived her life with character, conviction and passion. She lived her life following Jesus's example. Lisa and Vikki challenge you to live your life making a positive impact on other people's lives, leaving an everlasting legacy behind for generations to come.
Sanctuary: Any place of refuge and safety; asylum. The Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission started in the early 90's a place of refuge for young people who found themselves living on the streets and called it Sanctuary. This center of refuge has provided service to twenty five thousand young people over the last 25 years. Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna invited Joe Martinez to share all the wonderful programs the Sanctuary offers to the community.
If you want more information about Sanctuary call: 559-498-8543/1-800-820-4968 or visit the website: http://fresnoeoc.org/
There are those days where nothing seems to go right. Where there is only chaos and discord. Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna tell us in this podcast how to develop coping skills since, otherwise, we may self destruct and take out our frustrations on other people. When you decide to be in a state of peace then you bring that with you wherever you go, changing the environment you are in. An abundant life is a peaceful life, is a life of gratitude.
One sure way to change lives in any community is to rally people to volunteer and support projects designed for the betterment of its people. In this podcast Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna talk to Carol Davies, Executive Director of Hands On, a non-profit organization that matches volunteers with organizations. She tells us that matching hearts with causes is the only way to make a project successful, because non-profits can't do the work that they do without volunteers.
If you like to contact Hands On Central California: (559) 237-3101 or if you want to donate - www.handsoncentralcal.org
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by life in general and often have negative thoughts? Well, that is just part of being human, but as Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez tell us in this podcast, you don't have to live your life in such a state of mind. They share with us how they have managed to control their thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors, and how to build a daily life on a foundation of positive habits.
Book recommendations: "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey - and - "The Fred Factor" by Mark Sanborn
As of April 2018 the city of Fresno's unemployment rate is 7.3% compared to the national rate of 3.9%, according to the United State Department of Labor. There are individuals in Fresno who work day in and day out to contribute to the economic well being of the city. Dr. Randy White from the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific University is one of those individuals and in this podcast he tells Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez how this center helps people in the community solve problems through business and job creation.
To learn more about The Center for Community Transformation or to make a donation, visit their website: cctfresno.org
Our daily lives should reflect our celebration of life when we make time to love ourselves and help others see themselves as beautiful beings. Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna tell us, in this podcast, how important it is to implement a routine of daily affirmations so we can build our confidence, value who we are, and celebrate the way God made us.
Book recommendation: Love Who You Are. Live Like It Matters by Tim Tebow.
Just days after yet another mass shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, that left 10 people dead, Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez speak to retired Sheriff's officer Les Van Meter founder of S.A.V.E., a company which trains people what to do if they are confronted with an active shooter. He shares in this podcast the three basic steps of the training: Run, Hide and Fight in order to stay alive.
If you want more information on their services go to: www.saveactiveshooter.com
"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible". ~Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother’s Soul.
In this podcast Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna share with us what it means to them to be a mother. They share their experience raising their children. Lisa's daughter Alisha Muñoz is a guest sharing her own experience with raising seven children with the guidance of her own mother.
In This week's show, Lisa and Vikki talk about the art of patience and waiting for a message. At today's speed, it easy to get sidetracked with distractions. We need to choose our direction and not let society and culture dictate who we are.
We are also looking for sponsors and donations. if you are able to help click one of the two links. Angelsofgrace.com or thelight-house.net.
In this week's show Lisa and Vikki visit with Kay Fox of Handclasp.org. Kay discusses her missionary work in Northern Thailand. The purpose of Handclasp is to benefit the needy people of Asia, particularly children. Since 1988, Directors of Handclasp have supported a group of Hill Tribe refugees in Northern Thailand. Zothansiami Ralte (Siami) a teacher from Mizoram, India has built a center in Ban Mai Phatana. The girls at the center work to develop skills to aid their own support and avoid being sold into the "flesh trade" of Bangkok. Click here to d0nate.
There are many causes of grief, and everyone, at some point in their lives, has had to deal with losing someone or something. We all grieve differently, as Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna tell us, and we shouldn't try to avoid the pain that comes from loss. Along with their guest Brian Austin, they talk about the different stages of grief and how important it is to ask for help.
Book recommendation:
For The Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope
by Max Lucado
In this podcast, Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez talk about mentoring people. Along with their guest Jessica Franklin Waymire, they tell us how mentoring is sharing experiences and using wisdom to help somebody else. In order to mentor someone you have to allow yourself to be exposed, to be transparent so you can teach others. They share how God heals you so you may heal others and that no one is looking for perfection but they are looking for transparency.
Some people live this life stressed out because they are always in a hurry, doing 10 things at the same time. They often do not take care of themselves, getting sick due to their inability to learn how to rest. They are running a rat race like a hamster on a wheel going nowhere fast. Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna say that when you are so busy doing too many things at once then you are not productive because you are most likely not doing any one thing well. They believe people should learn to rest and not be in such a hurry all the time because it will bring their lives peace and balance.
As we celebrate Easter or Passover around the world, Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna tell us to use this time as a period of reflection on our life's journey and the sacrifice God made for us. After giving us the life of his only son, the ultimate sacrifice, he gave us resurrection and the power that comes with it. Lisa and Vikki tell us that if we live in that resurrection power, we are unstoppable. And when we live our lives sacrificing for others, do it without expecting gratitude or acknowledgement.
Stress can be brought on by different circumstances on a daily basis. There are both good and bad stress factors. In this podcast, Vikki Luna and Lisa Casarez will give us some ideas on how to deal with the bad stressors. For example: they advise to remove the toxic people around you because they can affect your mood in a negative way. Another one is to allow God to be the lover of your soul; he will gently guide you and give you wisdom; he will gently correct you and restore you and give you peace that surpasses all understanding so you can stay calm, cool and collected.
A recent study conducted by the Chancellor's office for all of the California State University campuses revealed that 43.7% of students at Fresno State face food insecurities. President Joseph Castro and his wife Mary Castro decided to help these students, who may sometimes go without a decent meal for three days or more, by opening The Student Cupboard. This on-campus food pantry helps supply about 3,200 students per month with food items they can take for the day, the week, or the month, depending on their needs. Our guest Mary Castro tells Lisa Casarez and Vikki Luna the importance of the March Match Up fundraiser, which will match your donation up to $25,000. Their goal is to raise $100,000 which will help keep the Student Cupboard open for a year.
To donate to this worthy cause, please click on the following link: www.fresnostate.edu and click on March Match Up