Our Community, Our Mission: Recent Episodes
TRM Ministries
In this episode, we discuss how extreme heat is impacting our community, driving increased demand for food, water, and support at Topeka Rescue Mission. We're joined by Kathy Mosher, CEO of Astra Mental Health and Recovery, and Pam Evans, Director of Marketing and Development, to explore how Astra is expanding access to mental health services through same-day care, school-based programs, crisis response, and community support. We also examine the connection between homelessness and mental illness, the importance of collaboration in serving those in need, and highlight Astra's Vivid: The Art of Healing gala supporting mental health and recovery services.
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This episode explores the growing intersection of mental illness, incarceration, homelessness, and community support. Shawnee County Department of Corrections Director Brian Cole shares the realities facing the local jail, including the challenges of providing behavioral health care while preparing thousands of people each year to successfully return to the community. The conversation also highlights rising food insecurity, the impact of community support through Topeka Rescue Mission, and why investing in stability, from meals and backpacks to reentry services, benefits both individuals and public safety.
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In this episode, Scott Bryant, Director of the TRM Distribution Center and Marcus Molinar, Deputy Director of Property and Security Operations discuss the Topeka Rescue Mission's Back to School Drive and why it makes a meaningful difference for local children and families. They explain the goal of providing backpacks and essential school supplies to around 400 kids across Shawnee County before the school year begins. They also share how listeners can contribute through the Amazon wish list, donation drop-offs, or volunteering. Beyond the supplies themselves, the episode explores how being prepared for school helps children feel confident, included, and ready to learn. It's a conversation about meeting practical needs, strengthening families, and creating lasting impact in the community.
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In this episode, Isabell Cronister and Jamie Wiegert from Topeka Rescue Mission's Trauma Education and Development program explore the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences, the lasting effects of trauma on individuals experiencing homelessness, and the reality of secondary trauma among those who serve others. They discuss why ACE scores are a tool for understanding rather than a predictor of the future, share practical ways to build trauma-informed workplaces that support both clients and staff, and highlight how programs like Kids Camp use TBRI to help children develop healthy coping skills.
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In this episode (https://bit.ly/OCOM_EP317), we reflect on insights from the City Gate Network conference, where La Manda Cunningham and Miriam Krehbiel discuss the challenges of serving others and the importance of lasting change rooted in faith, collaboration, and shared purpose. Centered on the theme “All For Love,” the conversation emphasizes that while effective strategies are essential, love remains the driving force behind meaningful and lasting solutions to homelessness.
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In this episode we discuss one of Scripture’s most powerful images of grace, the father who watches in Luke 15, and what it means that he does not simply wait for his son’s return but runs to meet him. Through stories of faith, compassion, and unexpected moments of care, we explore how God calls us to see people beyond labels, beyond assumptions, and beyond their worst decisions. Sometimes the greatest act of love is simply keeping watch for someone a long way off.
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In this episode we sit down with Barry Feaker to share the remarkable story of how a collapsing shelter in 1989 led to one of the most inspiring community efforts in Topeka Rescue Mission's history. What began as a crisis became a powerful testament to faith, perseverance, and the generosity of thousands of people who came together to make the impossible possible.
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What does it actually take to move someone from homelessness to lasting stability? In this episode, R.E.S.T.O.R.E co-directors Ashley Davis and Crystal Guerrero explain how Topeka Rescue Mission is reshaping homeless services through a relationship-first, trauma-informed approach that focuses on long-term support instead of short-term shelter. They walk through how the R.E.S.T.O.R.E program works, from personalized intake assessments and realistic goal-setting to consistent case management that stays with guests through rehousing and up to 12 months of aftercare.
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“Just pray more” can feel like an answer… until you’re the one lying awake with anxiety, carrying grief, or absorbing trauma from the people you serve. In this episode we sit with Mike Schoettle, our Director of Spiritual Wellness and Discipleship, to talk plainly about Mental Health Awareness Month and what mental health support really looks like in a faith-based rescue mission setting.
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Safety isn’t just a statistic, it’s about trust, relationships, and whether people truly feel secure in their community.
In this episode, Chief Chris Vallejo shares how he’s leading in Topeka with transparency and a strong focus on connection, while working to modernize the department and build trust. The conversation also explores how local partners respond to urgent situations affecting those experiencing homelessness and addresses difficult realities like camping bans and the lack of available options for people in crisis.
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In this episode we talk with Matt Fessman, Director of Main Shelter Operations at the Topeka Rescue Mission, about what pulled him from military service, banking and an unexpected layoff into faith based non-profit leadership in Topeka, Kansas. Matt shares the moment he stopped chasing the next paycheck and started chasing what God put in front of him, then how volunteering at TRM helped confirm that calling. We also get real about what shelter operations actually require when you are caring for 250 plus guests every night across the Men's Shelter and the Hope center.
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Barry Feaker talks with La Manda Cunningham and Miriam Krehbiel from the Topeka Rescue Mission about their 2025 annual report and what it reveals about homelessness in Topeka. They break down key numbers, like over 1,200 guests, over 81,000 shelter nights, and more than 600,000 meals served, while exploring the human stories behind them. The conversation highlights longer shelter stays, rising disability rates, and the challenges of supporting families and children with dignity.
They also discuss food insecurity, Topeka Rescue Mission's RESTORE rehousing approach, and what it takes to help people move toward stability. The episode wraps with reflections on community support, volunteer impact, and a forward-looking focus on compassion in action.
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We chat with GiDeanLeigh Ogilvie from Phoenix Rescue Mission to explore how partnerships can turn homelessness response into a shared community effort rather than a siloed one. We see that profit and purpose are able to feed into each other and that businesses can do good, while doing well. The conversation highlights how collaboration with local organizations, churches, and businesses builds trust and supports lasting stability. Instead of focusing only on short-term relief, these partnerships help create pathways for sustained recovery, emphasizing that real impact happens when communities work alongside people, not just for them.
We then focus on what makes partnerships actually work. GiDeanLeigh breaks down corporate social responsibility and the practical ways nonprofits and businesses can align—through monetary donations, volunteer engagement, sponsorships, and in-kind support. Using the four T's framework: time, talents, treasures, and ties, we outline how any partner can contribute meaningfully. The bigger takeaway is a mindset shift: moving away from competition and toward collaboration, where shared purpose, clear communication, and mutual value create stronger outcomes for everyone involved.
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This week we talk with leaders from Astra Mental Health and Recovery about the work they're doing and the strong partnership TRM has with them. Our guests explain why the merger between Valeo and Family Service & Guidance Center to form Astra is more than administrative. It reshapes access to care across the lifespan of individuals. The conversation breaks down what community support really looks like, from peer support and tenant care to traditional case management and benefits access. It also highlights the essential role of building connections with each person we encounter, as well as organizational partners.
The thread tying it all together is relationship. We dig into how stigma fades when language becomes person-centered, when we listen to the individual in front of us, and when leaders are willing to be honest about their own struggles, not just someone else’s. If you care about mental health services in Topeka, homelessness response, addiction recovery, and building a community that treats people like neighbors, you’ll come away with a clearer map of what’s working and what's still needed.
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On this week's episode, we talk with the key players of the new Compassion Impact Center. The Center is a bold step toward replacing a fragmented system with a single location where people can actually get help. Instead of sending individuals and families through a maze of referrals, the Center brings key services together under one roof at the Topeka Rescue Mission's Children's Palace, creating a true front door for those experiencing homelessness or housing instability. By combining efforts like Impact Avenues and Moving Ahead Partnership (MAP), alongside the resources of United Way of Kaw Valley, the goal is simple but powerful: make it easier for people to be seen, known, and connected to the right support without endless searching.
Launching April 7, the Center represents more than a new program, it’s a shared commitment from community partners to work differently. Built on insights from a person-centered design process and guided by data-driven strategies, the Compassion Impact Center focuses on trust, coordination, and meeting people where they are. It also reflects the real cost of meaningful change, requiring funding, staff/volunteer time, collaboration, and perseverance through challenges like community resistance. At its core, the Center is about turning compassion into action and creating a clearer, more effective path to stable housing.
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A holiday run turned into a ray of hope. We sat down with Fleet Feet’s Michael Fronsoe and Kirstin Williams to discuss how a simple idea—bring a new Thanksgiving 5K to Topeka—grew into a bigger-than-expected event. It boosted Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries' work, raised food donations, and reignited hope during a tough year. What began as a three-month sprint became a blueprint for how local businesses and nonprofits can move with each other, not just for each other. The Topeka Turkey Trot was designed to support and grow the community's running culture while also benefiting the people and programs behind TRM.
In the conversation, we trace how Fleet Feet chose to partner with the Rescue Mission and how the event came together so quickly, drawing hundreds of runners and new attention to TRM's work beyond shelter and meals. During one of the organization’s most challenging years, the race became a source of encouragement and visibility. We also discuss what's next: growing the race, expanding food drives and volunteer support, and inviting even more of the community to show up and run for a cause.
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Jamie Clark of AIM Strategies joins us to share how business, faith, and civic responsibility intersect in practical ways across the community. As controller at AIM Strategies, Jamie has helped shift the conversation from “make it go away” to “what’s really happening and how do we help?” This movement changed how local leaders and storefront owners felt frustration and turned it into coordinated action.
We also talk about our big unveiling this week that the Compassion Impact Center will be housed at the TRM Children's Palace. Then Jamie made a surprise announcement that AIM is stepping up to raise money for the center. From March 3 to March 10, 25% of sales from select burgers at The Pennant (The Pennant Original), Iron Rail (High Rail Burger), and The Weather Room (Weather Room Cheeseburger) will go directly to benefit the center.
Jamie’s perspective shows when business leaders lean in with intention, compassion becomes contagious and outcomes follow. The motto she lives by, "what you allow, you encourage," keeps her from being on the sidelines, stating that non-action is not an option. She sees hospitality as strategy, creating spaces where generosity feels accessible and actionable.
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After a heavy 2025 marked by physical pain, budget drain, and the strain of warming centers, we chose not to retreat but to advance—grounded in prayer, transparency, and guest-centered care. 2026 has begun with honest reflection and real work: centering every decision on the dignity of our guests, strengthening trust, and building systems that reflect the values we proclaim. We’re embracing authenticity over performance, naming fatigue and doubt while recommitting to show up daily with faith that has its sleeves rolled up. Longer shelter stays are seen as signs of deeper engagement with guests pursuing recovery, medical care, classes, and housing matches built to last. While within our staff, training, culture-building, and spiritual support ensure our team is equipped in both skill and heart.
A major step forward is the launch of the RESTORE Team, merging outreach, guest management, and housing into one relationship-centered model that reduces handoffs and walks with each guest from the street through 12 months of housing stabilization. We’re also looking into upgrades like step-up beds—safer, individual sleeping spaces designed with integrated storage and accessibility in mind—to replace institutional bunks and better serve an aging population with mobility challenges. With clearer systems, stronger support, and a forthcoming announcement to expand how we serve unsheltered neighbors, we invite others to join us—through prayer, volunteering, giving, or even on our board—as we build a safer, kinder path home in 2026.
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What if the most powerful prayer you said this week was the messy one you almost didn’t pray? This conversation pulls back the curtain on real-life prayer at the Topeka Rescue Mission—on the streets, in shelters, and in quiet moments when words run out. We name the barriers that keep people silent—unworthiness, doubt, and performance—and reframe prayer as relationship, not ritual. From “pray your distractions” to simple, honest prayers, you’ll hear how we bring our whole selves to God and discover that honesty matters more than eloquence.
We also explore the pause: stepping away from noise to sit with God without an agenda, trusting that stillness can soften the heart and clarify the next step. Along the way, we get real about doubt—not just “can God?” but “will God?”—and practice a humble posture of trust. With stories, scripture, and practical tools for individuals and communities, this episode offers hope for anyone feeling too far gone, too angry, or too busy. Start with one true sentence, let God meet you there, and remember—your honest prayer might be the spark that you or someone else needs.
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We’re joined by Jessy Moreno, the Manager of Downtown Topeka, Inc. & River Strategies, who brings a clear-eyed view of what happens when compassion and commerce stop competing and start collaborating. We discuss her ability to connect with others through listening, communication, and above all a kind heart. Her role goes far beyond serving businesses to empowering stakeholders and responding to real people in real time.
We also talk about the challenges and successes of the year's first warming center, and dive into difficult topics for downtown like fear on the sidewalk, storefront disruptions, and the urge to make homelessness “go away.” Jessy offers a grounded model that treats visible homelessness as a community issue that shows up downtown, not a problem to offload. We discuss the shared goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring while keeping downtown clean, safe, welcoming, and thriving.
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This week we focus on the people who make so much of the work at TRM possible—volunteers. You’ll hear from Team Ringgold, whose journey from real estate to committed partners shows how serving together builds joy, team unity, and meaningful impact. From manning distributions to supporting warehouse operations, their hands-on service meets neighbors with food, shelter, and dignity, while boosting staff morale and strengthening community connection—proof that impact goes far beyond donations.
The conversation also turns to how fast-changing winter weather shapes TRM’s decision making. We share how forecasts are monitored, when warming centers are activated, and why a new pet-friendly option—made possible through The Street Dog Coalition—can be lifesaving for unsheltered neighbors. Behind the scenes, volunteers serve a critical role, moving the mission forward year-round, and we try to express just how important they are to TRM.
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We’re celebrating our 300th episode with Topeka Fire Department Chief Chad Longstaff, who brings 36 years of experience, a brief retirement, and a deeply human approach to modern emergency response. The conversation moves beyond firefighting to the rise of EMS, the power of communication over judgment, and how a culture of dignity helps firefighters manage burnout while serving people at their most vulnerable. Chief Longstaff explains how Topeka is connecting fire, police, mental health providers, hospitals, and nonprofits like TRM into a single safety net focused not just on response, but on understanding and prevention.
We also dig into the realities of homelessness, recurring 911 calls, and showing how respectful handoffs, fast outreach, and collaboration reduce strain and build trust. Chief Longstaff shares personal stories that reshaped his view of leadership and service, alongside moments of gratitude, highlighting that compassion-first public safety works. If you care about community health, prevention, and practical collaboration, this episode offers both a roadmap and a reason to believe we can do better together.
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We look back on a year of storms and rainbows, where fear pressed hard, but faith proved stronger. From safety concerns, construction, limited access to food, to technology outages, we faced uncertainty on multiple fronts. Our teams navigated trauma in shelters, supported shaken frontline staff, and responded to a SNAP disruption that sent more families searching for groceries—while also managing financial strain, facility repairs, and staffing pressures. In the middle of it all, unlikely provision met real needs, reminding us that even when systems fail, people and purpose endure.
What changed us most was leadership itself. We learned to choose faith as a daily decision, shifting from having all the answers to offering faithful, steady responses. We learned to lead with honesty, prayer, and trust that provision would meet purpose—because it kept doing exactly that. In shelters and across our teams, trauma forged deeper bonds, improved training, and strengthened our shared conviction that we are our brother’s keeper. Scripture framed our steps, and “perfect love casts out fear” became a daily practice in how we serve, support one another, and plan for tomorrow without letting anxiety take over.
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Kelli Howerton’s journey, from serving shifts at our warming center to stepping onto the board, frames this conversation. As a MAP volunteer and TRM Board Member, Kelli shares how slowing down, listening well, and setting healthy boundaries reshaped the way she serves. She reflects on patience in prayer, choosing presence over quick fixes, and the slow, faithful work that truly breaks cycles for families and kids through structure, safety, education, and trust.
Through a volunteer's lens, we also glimpse the broader work of serving our guests and unsheltered neighbors, months of effort that stretch capacity and resolve. Through shelter Christmas parties, gift deliveries, food distributions, and weather that can swing from 70 degrees to -7, volunteers remain a vital piece of TRM, saving hundreds of thousands in labor costs while offering what money can’t: consistency, names remembered, and care that stays when things are hard. Volunteers remain the heartbeat, but year-end giving is critical to sustaining this work after a challenging year of rising costs and reduced funding. Closing the gap now stabilizes operations and positions us to enter the new year ready to meet need without pause.
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The Christmas season can be a hectic time of year, so we slowed down to listen to a leader who has built a life around loving her neighbors. Candace Gregory, CEO of Open Door Mission in Omaha, shares how a one-year commitment turned into three decades of faith-driven service marked by grit, grace, and surprising joy. She opens the curtain on what it means to “serve everyone, stand firm,” a clear gospel foundation, zero tolerance for violence, honest conversations about sobriety, and a culture that treats people with dignity from intake to aftercare. From its shelters, free clinic, learning center, community kitchen, and prevention programs reaching tens of thousands, her work shows where faith meets measurable outcomes.
Candace also offers a compelling leadership playbook: own mistakes quickly, celebrate wins, ask “what is your thing?” and lead with “we, not I.” We explore the power of Citygate Network, Christ-centered recovery with an 88% success rate, and initiatives like the Toy and Joy Shop that restore dignity by letting parents choose gifts. This conversation is an invitation to move from concern to action—take a tour of your local rescue mission, give two hours this month, and share the episode with someone ready to put love into motion.
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The holidays can feel magical—but not for some choosing between rent and a gift to their child. We pull back the curtain on how our community makes Christmas possible for 1,100 to 1,200 neighbors, puts on shelter parties, and delivers gifts to homes, all while continuing to provide food bags that turn a quiet kitchen into a holiday table. Along the way, we talk candidly about spending money the right way, the impact of possible funding cuts, and the practical steps that keep people housed, fed, and seen. You’ll hear the heart behind simple requests like compression socks and the joy of a gift addressed by name, as volunteers wrap, sort, deliver, and then pivot to stock shelves for a food line serving hundreds by mid-afternoon. Trust matters, too: monthly board oversight, independent accounting, and strong ratings from Charity Navigator and Ministry Watch ensure every donation is stewarded well. This isn’t about checking a box—it’s about lowering barriers, restoring dignity, and widening the circle so no one misses the season’s light because a system felt too heavy to climb.
If you’ve wondered where a small act fits in a big need, this conversation gives you clear on-ramps. Teenager gifts like spa kits, wallets, body care sets, sports gear, watches, belts, gloves, beard kits, tool kits, and kids’ clothing sets are in short supply. You can drop donations at 401 NW Norris between 8 am and 3:45 pm, shop our Amazon wish list, volunteer to deliver or wrap, or give at trmonline.org so we can start 2026 strong. Join us, share this with someone who cares, and help spread real hope.
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Winter arrived early, bringing urgent questions about how and when we activate cold-weather exceptions and, in extreme cases, warming centers. We unpack the temperature and wind-chill thresholds that guide each step, our coordination with National Weather Service briefings, and why just opening everything is far more complex than it sounds when you’re feeding hundreds and staffing 24/7. We also focus on Giving Tuesday, known as Transformation Tuesday at TRM, the need for donors, address rising costs, and what it will take to finish the year strong so no one is turned away. With more than 250 people sheltered nightly and many more reached through outreach, every donation—whether money, toys, bedding, sports gear, or basic necessities like new underwear—directly becomes warmth, joy, meals, and safety.
Then we focus on a story of transformation. Mark Valdivia, from our facilities team, whose story of loss, relapse, and courageous recovery shows what redemption can look like in real time. After realizing the pain in his wife’s eyes, he went home, opened a beer, and decided to pour the rest of the 12-pack down the sink—a turning point that led him back to rebuilding trust day by day. We explore leadership grounded in grace and boundaries, and how simple gestures—greeting someone, offering a gift, meeting their eyes—can carry the love of Jesus more powerfully than any lecture. If you’ve wondered what an impactful response requires or whether your gift matters, this conversation makes it clear: your generosity helps people survive the storm and step into a new story.
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The holidays tend to magnify whatever we’re already carrying—joy, stress, or grief—so we open with light, honest moments before leaning into a deeper question: how do we practice gratitude when life is complicated? Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, we explore a three-part rhythm of rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks that turns Thanksgiving from a single day into a durable way of living. TRM Director of Strategic Development Josh Turley talks with Mike Schoettle, Director of Spiritual Wellness and Discipleship at TRM about why joy isn’t rooted in circumstances but in God’s unchanging character. We even revisit Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving proclamation to consider how a nation in pain was still called to praise, repentance, and compassion.
From Brother Lawrence’s quiet kitchen prayers to the everyday noise of family life, we reflect on how a steady, grateful posture is formed in small, sincere moments with God. We also share a quick TRM Fall Festival recap and look toward Giving Tuesday, or Transformation Tuesday at TRM, as an invitation to turn gratitude into meaningful action for neighbors in need. If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier heading into the holidays, share it with a friend, subscribe for more hope-filled stories, and visit trmonline.org to see how generosity can transform lives this season.
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When costs rise and the holidays draw near, one question always leads the way: who will stand in the gap? As needs increase across our city, the TRM team and our incredible volunteers continue to show up, expanding meals, strengthening distributions, and keeping dignity at the center for families navigating SNAP gaps, new work rules, and rising expenses. In this episode, we walk through our year-end realities, including unexpected building and appliance repairs, added meal services, and the growing logistics of supplying food pantries throughout Topeka. Even with SNAP benefits returning, many households are still catching up, and a significant increase in food distribution has reshaped our weekly plans. We also share how the ohSNAP effort, led through the United Way of Kaw Valley, has allowed organizations across Topeka to work together so food gets where it is needed most. Along the way, small moments continue to remind us why this work matters, like the donor who arrived with hamburger buns the very moment our kitchen ran out, a simple glimpse of how God provides through caring neighbors.
Volunteers remain the heartbeat of everything we do, and this season is showing us just how vital they truly are. From preparing meals to sorting donations to supporting Christmas outreach, every act of service helps carry the weight of growing needs across our community. This year, Christmas support will reach roughly 1,200 individuals, and we rely on volunteers to help make every gift and every moment of care possible. If you feel called to join in, visit TRMonline.org to give or sign up to volunteer. When volunteers show up, lives are changed.
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What if partnership is the most practical form of love? In this episode, we sit down with GiDeanLeigh Ogilvie, Organizational Partnerships Officer at Phoenix Rescue Mission, to explore how relationships with churches, companies, and foundations turn compassion into real, measurable impact. GiDeanLeigh shares her journey from HR into organizational partnerships, why staying close to frontline teams strengthens honest fundraising, and how initiatives like Code Red—mobilizing the community to deliver more than a million water bottles during Arizona’s most dangerous season—show the power of clear goals and consistent communication. From outreach teams driving through parks, canals, and key freeway routes to case managers walking alongside people on their journey to stability, we look at how these daily realities shape the strategies that support outreach, recovery, and long-term transformation.
We also look at how culture becomes strategy at Phoenix Rescue Mission, including rhythms like Refresh Week, leadership development, and intentional time for prayer that help prevent burnout and keep teams aligned. GiDeanLeigh highlights a standout partnership with QT that places dedicated outreach case managers at specific locations, creating a highly effective model for ongoing engagement and long-term housing outcomes. She also shares why her team approaches every partnership with a posture of curiosity—listening first, seeking alignment, and discovering how each organization’s passions can uniquely strengthen mission work. Whether you care about homelessness solutions, nonprofit development, faith-led leadership, or cross-sector collaboration, this conversation offers practical insight and encouragement for building stronger communities right where you are.
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As the holidays draw near, the Topeka Rescue Mission is facing both celebration and challenge. A critical SNAP suspension has stretched already thin budgets and heightened the need for food, faith, and community support. In this episode, we unpack how a partial return of benefits is impacting families across Topeka and how partners like United Way, Harvesters, and local pantries are working hand in hand with TRM to keep meals moving and hope within reach.
Even amid uncertainty, the Mission is expanding daily meal service, all while making sure people can share in the joy of Christmas. From hot lunches and community dinners at Shinkle-Stutzman Park to personalized gifts, festive gatherings, and moments of heartfelt connection, this conversation reminds us what it truly means to care for one another. When we come together in compassion, we do more than fill plates; we help restore peace, joy, and dignity this holiday season.
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As our community works to prepare for potential changes to federal benefits and rising costs, local partners are coming together to stay ready and responsive. In this episode, we sit down with Jessica Lehnherr and Brett Martin from United Way of Kaw Valley to talk about how collaboration through efforts like the Tuesday Call helps Shawnee County navigate uncertainty—and how generosity still shines brightest in challenging times.
We also look ahead to one of the season’s most meaningful efforts: the Christmas Bureau, a United Way initiative that connects families with community members who shop, wrap, and deliver gifts and food directly to their homes. TRM joins in by adopting households while also serving shelter guests and unsheltered neighbors. Hear how generosity across our community keeps the Christmas spirit alive—and learn how you can get involved at uwkawvalley.org.
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This week on Our Community, Our Mission, we sit down with Sarah Rieger, Communication Specialist for Citygate Network, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about the power of storytelling and connection. Sarah shares how Citygate’s small but mighty team supports more than 325 gospel-centered ministries across North America—equipping leaders, offering practical tools, and reminding them they’re not alone in the fight against homelessness, addiction, and poverty. With warmth and candor, she opens up about her journey into ministry, the moments that moved her to tears, and how God continues to use stories to reveal His faithfulness and build community across the country.
Together, we unpack what authentic leadership looks like, the importance of collaboration through Citygate’s member network, and how initiatives like Conversations on a Bench are changing the dialogue around homelessness. Whether you serve on the frontlines or simply want to understand how faith fuels real change, this conversation will leave you inspired to see how the gospel, and the stories we tell, can transform hearts, leaders, and entire communities.
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What if the life God wants from us is simpler—and harder—than our best performances? In this episode, we dive into Micah 6:8 to discover a way of living that trades polished offerings for a posture that changes people: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. From ancient Israel’s fracture and looming empires to Jesus’ challenge to religious leaders, we connect the dots between scripture and street-level compassion at the Topeka Rescue Mission.
We explore what it means to act justly when someone arrives in crisis, to show mercy that breaks the cycle of hurt, and to walk humbly with a faith that listens and learns. Through real stories—like a simple act of kindness that disarms anger and a mentor’s quiet influence that shaped generations—we see how justice, mercy, and humility transform lives. Grounded in scripture and lived experience, this conversation invites you to a faith that shows up where it matters. How will you live Micah 6:8 this week?
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A quiet prayer and a reminder about peaceful communication open this heartfelt episode of Our Community, Our Mission, leading into a discussion that moves from Christmas logistics to deeper reflections on grace, safety, and change. We share how the Topeka Rescue Mission is preparing for the holiday season, and why October is the critical time to act. From meal staples and new winter clothing to bed sheets, crockpots, socks, and underwear, we highlight the specific items that make Christmas warmer and more dignified for hundreds of neighbors in need. Giving is simple, too—visit TRMonline.org for a live needs list, explore the Amazon Wishlist (https://a.co/fIoVLhH) , or get involved by volunteering or scheduling a tour.
This episode also marks a first for us—we open our very own listener mailbag. A thoughtful question came in asking how long to remain patient with a loved one struggling with addiction, and when, if ever, it’s time to let go. The conversation that follows is raw and compassionate, exploring the tension between love and boundaries, patience and accountability. We talk about how grace doesn’t mean enabling harm and why safety must always come first, even as we hold on to hope for change. There isn’t a clear or easy answer to questions like this—only the continual call to trust where Jesus leads and to keep loving with both wisdom and grace. Grounded in real stories of recovery and resilience, this episode is both practical and deeply personal—a reminder that compassion and truth can coexist, even in the hardest moments.
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Headlines may feel heavy, but hope sounds different when a city sings together. At Night of Praise, hundreds gathered as blended worship teams lifted one voice, prayers filled the room, and powerful testimonies of transformation reminded us why this work matters. With open doors and generous hearts, people responded with food donations, sponsorships, and support that will help meet real needs and extend love in the gap for those experiencing hunger and homelessness.
In this episode, we reflect on why fundraising wrapped in worship isn’t about transactions but about God’s economy—where people are the priority, relationships drive outcomes, and unity paints a fuller picture of grace. The testimonies shared point to lives changed and to the calling we all share: to love in the gap with kindness, generosity, and hope. Worship nights like this reframe generosity, embody the upside-down kingdom of Jesus, and invite us all to join in everyday acts of compassion that make a lasting difference.
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Rediscover the freedom of childlike faith in a world that often pushes us toward skepticism and guardedness. Drawing from the beloved film Hook, Mike Schoettle, TRM’s Director of Spiritual Wellness & Discipleship, reflects on how we, like Peter Pan, can forget who we truly are as we grow older—losing our innocence, trust, and openness to God’s wonder. Jesus’ words remind us that unless we receive the kingdom of God like a child, we cannot enter it at all. The very qualities we tend to discard with age—trusting without hesitation, approaching with openness, and believing without seeing—are the ones that most deeply connect us to Him.
Through a moving story of his daughter’s contagious laughter at a family soccer game, Schoettle paints a picture of the joy that childlike faith awakens—an echo of the joy and laughter that awaits us in heaven. This powerful reminder invites us to reflect on our first encounters with Jesus and to reclaim the wonder, trust, and delight that once came so naturally. When was the last time your faith made you laugh until tears came? Perhaps it’s time to fly, fight, and crow again.
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Matt Dildine, CEO of the Fresno Rescue Mission, shows what happens when holy discontent collides with bold innovation. Leaving behind a successful law career, he stepped into leadership with a vision to reimagine how communities respond to homelessness. Out of that vision came City Center—a collaborative campus in the heart of Fresno that houses more than 20 service providers under one roof, and creates spaces that uplift and inspire the surrounding community.
At the center of this model is DTCR: dignity, time, community, and relationship. Rather than pushing people quickly through programs, Fresno Mission embraces longer engagement to build meaningful connections and lasting change. From replacing mandatory chapel with relational church experiences to offering a free grocery store that becomes a bridge to both care and the gospel, the approach is reshaping how faith-based organizations serve. As Chairman of the Board for Citygate Network, Dildine also provides leadership on a national scale, helping guide innovation and collaboration among ministries serving vulnerable populations across the country.
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What does it truly mean to love someone through their darkest moments? In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, Mike Schoettle, TRM’s Director of Spiritual Wellness and Discipleship, explores the transformative idea of “Loving in the Gap.” The gap is the space where people find themselves trapped in homelessness, addiction, or trauma. Instead of offering help from a distance, true ministry means stepping into that space, walking alongside others with patience, dignity, and compassion.
Guided by TRM’s seven biblical pillars, this conversation shows that loving in the gap is not about quick fixes but about unconditional acceptance and recognizing the image of God in every person. Practical acts such as meals, shelter, and case management become living expressions of a deeper truth: every life is worth standing with, no matter how difficult the journey. This same theme of Loving in the Gap will shape TRM’s Night of Praise happening this Friday, September 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Fellowship Bible Church. It will be an evening of worship, gratitude, and community you will not want to miss.
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What makes Night of Praise more than just another event? In this episode, John Ostenson, TRM Board President; Greg Armbruster, Vice President; and Mike Rinehart, Treasurer, join CEO La Manda Cunningham and Deputy Director of Supportive Services Miriam Krehbiel to share how the heart of Topeka Rescue Mission is rooted in both freedom and faith. From moments of prayer with shelter residents to stories of unexpected gratitude, listeners will hear why TRM is not just “a monument” but “a movement”—living out its mission of Faith With Its Sleeves Rolled Up.
Together, this team reflects on how the theme Loving in the Gap is inspiring unity across churches, volunteers, and the broader community. With worship teams coming together at Fellowship Bible Church on September 12th, Night of Praise offers what La Manda describes as “a glimpse of heaven”—diverse believers worshipping side by side while lifting up those in need. Whether you’ve walked with TRM for years or are just learning about the mission, this conversation invites you to experience the vision, testimonies, and collaborative spirit that make Night of Praise such a transformative annual tradition.
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When a child shows up ready for the first day of school, the impact lasts far beyond the classroom. In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we sit down with Hope Bency, Distribution Center Administrative Assistant, to talk about TRM’s recent Back-to-School event that equipped over 300 students with backpacks, clothing, and essential supplies. Behind the numbers are powerful stories: parents moved to tears by unexpected generosity, children eager to win prizes for their siblings, and volunteers witnessing the ripple effect of their time and care.
We’re also joined by John Roberts, Deputy Director of Community Needs & Services, who shares how programs like the “Completion of Program” furnish homes for families starting fresh—not only with necessities but with items that bring joy and dignity. Together, Hope and John pull back the curtain on what it takes to manage inventory, organize volunteers, and partner with donors to ensure no one is turned away. Their stories connect the practical work of distribution with TRM’s greater mission of showing people they matter—reminding us that this is what it looks like to love in the gap.
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What inspires someone to devote their career to serving people experiencing homelessness? In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we sit down with TRM’s HR Director, Kim Turley, to explore the unique challenges and deep rewards of staffing an organization committed to life-changing ministry. With years of connection to TRM and a passion for helping people, Kim shares what it takes to balance professional HR practices with the deeper calling that draws people to this work.
Joining the conversation, La Manda Cunningham, CEO, and Miriam Krehbiel, Deputy Director of Supportive Services, share powerful stories that highlight both the struggles and the purpose behind TRM’s mission. Staffing shortages, increasingly complex guest needs, and the tension between policy and compassion are very real—but so are the moments of transformation, both for those served and those serving. As one staff member put it, “something is different here—and it’s a good different.”
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Thomas Hall’s unexpected path from applying for what he thought was a janitor position to leading as Director of Emergency Shelter and Outreach at Turlock Gospel Mission is a testament to the power of purpose-driven work. In California’s Central Valley, homelessness is fueled by mental health struggles and skyrocketing housing costs. Thomas and his team respond to urgent needs by offering more than beds. They provide food boxes, clothing, hygiene facilities, and storage, all while fostering a culture where “everyone lifts each other up.” His personal growth, from realizing his stern demeanor could intimidate guests to intentionally creating a warmer, safer environment, has transformed the shelter’s atmosphere for families, those fleeing domestic violence, and individuals facing addiction or mental illness.
Beyond emergency relief, Thomas celebrates stories of lasting change, like a former guest now thriving with stable housing and employment. While he acknowledges they often don’t see the final outcomes, he focuses on helping in the moment. To guard against burnout, Thomas leans on prayer, worship, basketball, church, and family time, encouraging his team to practice self-care as well. His message to the community is clear: whether through volunteering, donating, or showing kindness, everyone can help address homelessness. “When you see someone on the street, there’s a long story behind what led them there,” he says. “Some was in their control, some wasn’t. Say a prayer, offer help, and remember—we’re all called to serve the less fortunate.”
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In this inspiring episode of Our Community, Our Mission, hosts Barry Feaker and La Manda Cunningham sit down with Officer Robert Razo of the Topeka Police Department and Daniel Dobson from TRM’s Outreach Team to explore the power of collaboration in serving Topeka’s unsheltered neighbors. Through heartfelt stories and candid conversations, listeners are taken behind the scenes of innovative efforts like the Co-Responder Program, City ID, and Take Me Home initiatives—programs breaking down barriers and bringing hope to those in need. This episode shines a light on the importance of relationship-building, authenticity, and vulnerability—both among service providers and with the individuals they serve.
Listeners will also hear about the back-to-school supply distribution, the critical need for men’s clothing, and the significance of celebrating small victories in the journey out of homelessness. With actionable insights and a call to community involvement, this episode is a powerful testament to what’s possible when organizations, law enforcement, and individuals come together with a shared mission and open hearts.
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When Nancy Johnson stepped away from her role as CEO of Community Resources Council, she could never have imagined the new chapter God was preparing for her. A season of personal struggle opened the door to an unexpected conversation with Barry Feaker, leading Nancy to Topeka Rescue Mission. What began as casual volunteering soon became a source of deep joy and renewed purpose, as she now spends her days welcoming guests, answering phones, and helping staff create a culture of compassion and belonging.
In this episode, Nancy shares with TRM CEO La Manda Cunningham how the Mission’s culture—where “ego is left at the front door”—makes room for authentic relationships and lasting impact. From her pioneering work establishing neighborhood resource centers to her current role of daily service, Nancy’s story reminds us that significance isn’t measured by titles, but by faithful love in action. Listeners will be inspired to consider how their own gifts and experiences can be used to stand in the gap for others.
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As temperatures rise, so does the risk for our unsheltered neighbors. This episode of Our Community, Our Mission highlights how TRM’s outreach teams are responding to the dangerous summer heat with practical care and deep compassion. You’ll hear how connection and consistency made all the difference for one woman who had slipped through every gap in the system—and how everyday acts of advocacy can change lives. We also share how TRM’s Back to School drive will equip 400 children with supplies and offer free vision screenings in partnership with the Lions Club, helping families stretch tight budgets while setting kids up for a strong start to the school year.
The episode explores the urgency and intentionality behind summer outreach—like offering cut fruit, electrolyte drinks, and popsicles during wellness checks in the heat. These items may seem simple, but they open the door to relationship, trust, and transformation. Whether it’s meeting someone where they are or helping a child see the board clearly in class, it’s all part of a bigger mission: standing in the gap for those who need it most.
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In this powerful episode, Billy Brown shares his raw journey through addiction, trauma, and redemption. From a broken home and early substance abuse to multiple suicide attempts, Billy offers a vulnerable glimpse into the mental, emotional, and spiritual toll of homelessness. His story challenges the idea that employment or housing alone can heal deep wounds—and shows how real transformation begins when someone is truly seen.
Now a staff member at TRM and pursuing his high school diploma, Billy uses his past to serve those still in crisis. Alongside Mick Ballinger, Director of Men's Services, they explore the power of relationship, purpose, and being acknowledged. If you’ve ever felt beyond repair, Billy’s story reminds us that healing is possible—and that pain, when met with compassion, can become a path to purpose.
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What happens when someone has nowhere else to turn? In this heartfelt conversation, we’re joined by Antonio Villasuso, President, and Leah Sigillo, Media Manager, from The Caring Place – Miami Rescue Mission, where friendship and faith lead the way in serving South Florida’s homeless community. Antonio shares his own powerful story of recovery and leadership, while Leah opens up about the personal losses that drive her passion to serve.
With programs like the Regeneration Program, Cover Girls, and Home Run Team, The Caring Place offers more than shelter—it offers transformation, rooted in grace, timing, and human connection. As Antonio says, “Some you’ll walk with. Some you’ll carry. Some you’ll push.” It’s this deep commitment that fills the void of love and hope for so many who’ve been forgotten
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Back-to-school season means more than pencils and backpacks—it’s about restoring dignity, structure, and hope for children facing difficult circumstances. In this episode, the TRM team shares the heartfelt stories and behind-the-scenes work of preparing students for the classroom, from organizing supplies to creating moments of joy and normalcy. La Manda Cunningham, TRM CEO, reflects on what it means when a child has what they need, not just physically, but emotionally—because for every child, school is their job.
You’ll also hear from John Roberts, Deputy Director of Community Needs and Services, and Andrew Lucas, Director of Distribution Services, as they talk about the logistics, heart, and community effort behind this mission. From Minecraft backpacks to last-minute miracles, it’s clear that God is at work—sometimes immediately, sometimes months later—but always faithfully. Join the conversation and learn how you can be part of not just planting seeds, but orchards of hope in the lives of kids and families who need it most.
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What happens when rescue mission staff from across North America gather under one roof? For the Topeka Rescue Mission team, their recent experience at the Citygate Network conference in Phoenix was more than professionally enriching—it was spiritually transformative. In this heartfelt episode, CEO La Manda Cunningham is joined by Miriam Krehbiel (Deputy Director of Supportive Services), Marcus Molinar (Deputy Director of Facilities & Security), and Scott Bryant (Assistant Director of Distribution Services) to reflect on the conference theme “Lead Me Home” and the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit among a thousand like-minded mission workers.
From a life-changing perspective on the prodigal son to honest conversations about brokenness, identity, and purpose, the team shares how their understanding of “home” and their calling has been forever changed. “Brokenness does not discriminate,” La Manda notes, highlighting the universal need for grace. Whether you're involved in ministry, seeking deeper meaning in your faith journey, or simply curious about the heart behind rescue work, this episode offers a powerful look at what it means to run toward the hurting with open arms.
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This episode features the powerful story of Emily Monroe, a front desk team member at the Hope Center, who brings a deep sense of empathy to her role after walking through her own struggles with depression and anxiety. Her kindness and understanding help create a place where guests feel seen, valued, and safe—an atmosphere rooted in grace and second chances. “I understand what it’s like to feel like the world is against you and like you don’t have any value,” she shares, reflecting the kind of love that changes lives.
Hope Center Director, Rachel Flenniken, shares how the Hope Center offers more than shelter—it’s a pathway forward. Alongside the Guest Management and Housing teams, the center provides a structured program to help women, children, and families set goals, find employment, and move into stable housing. But the heart of it all is relationship—both with others and with Jesus. This episode challenges listeners to move beyond simply knowing about Christ and to pursue continual communion with Him. You can’t walk with one foot in the world and one with Jesus. True transformation comes when we seek His kingdom first and live out of an ongoing relationship with Him—every day, in every step.
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What if your greatest trauma became your greatest ministry tool? Brandan Thomas, President and CEO of Open Door Mission in Houston, shares how growing up with a father suffering from schizophrenia prepared him to walk with compassion and understanding alongside those facing homelessness, addiction, and mental illness. What began as a one-month volunteer role turned into a lifelong calling. From planting churches to sleeping in shelters across the country on a motorcycle journey, Brandan’s ministry path is anything but ordinary—and deeply rooted in empathy.
In this powerful conversation, Brandan challenges common assumptions about homelessness, emphasizing that it’s not just a housing issue, but a complex human struggle requiring individualized, Christ-centered care. He shares the heart behind Open Door’s transformative recovery program and reminds us that real change begins with relationship. “More than they need your money, they need your care,” he says. Whether you're leading a ministry or simply wondering how to help, Brandan’s story will inspire you to see people differently—and serve with greater purpose.
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In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we explore what true transformation looks like through the powerful story of Edward Tucker. Once trapped in 30-years of drug addiction—even while pastoring—Edward longed for freedom but couldn’t break free on his own. Everything changed with a quiet nudge from God on a city bus: “Go to the mission.” That simple act of obedience marked the beginning of a new life. Today, Edward works at the Men’s Side Front Desk, serves in chapel, and offers honest, compassionate support to men walking the same road he once did.
Edward’s authenticity makes his ministry uniquely impactful—he doesn't just speak about recovery; he’s lived it. TRM CEO La Manda Cunningham highlights his ability to see past addiction and connect with the person behind the pain. His favorite verse, Galatians 2:20, captures his new identity: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." This episode is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond redemption—and that surrender is the first step toward true freedom.
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In this heartfelt episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we welcome Jenny Falk, Director of MAP Operations, as she reflects on her 11 years of service with TRM and her recent transition to Compassion Strategies. From humble beginnings as a volunteer serving meals with her sons, Jenny’s journey took her through roles in the Thrift Store, Volunteer Services, Operation Food Secure, and ultimately, the Mobile Access Partnership (MAP)—an initiative launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to bring services directly to those on the streets.
Along the way, Jenny experienced many moments that shaped her faith and deepened her understanding of community—moments of challenge, growth, and unexpected connection. Her journey is marked by the Lord’s guidance and a growing heart for serving neighbors with humility and compassion.
As she prepares for the 4-year celebration of MAP on May 22nd, Jenny discusses the bittersweet emotions of leaving TRM and her excitement for what’s next.
Join us for a conversation about service without competition, Kingdom-minded expansion, and the faith it takes to step into something new.
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From a simple lunch invitation to leading a life-changing organization, Lauren Clouse’s story is one of calling, courage, and deep faith. As CEO of Winchester Rescue Mission, Lauren never imagined she’d be running a growing nonprofit, expanding programs, and building partnerships across the Shenandoah Valley. But with a heart for people and a belief that “God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called,” she stepped forward. Today, she leads with honesty and heart, guiding her team through difficult work while holding onto the joy that makes it sustainable.
In this episode, Lauren opens up about what it’s like to feel unqualified yet called, and how those two truths can coexist. She shares how finding moments of laughter, maintaining authentic relationships, and leaning on God’s provision allow her to keep going when the work is heavy. Her story is a moving reminder that saying yes to something bigger than yourself doesn’t require perfection—only a willingness to show up with grace, grit, and joy.
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In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, Jessica Croner shares how her heart for the unsheltered has guided her through years of ministry — from the Boise Rescue Mission to the Valley Mission in Pocatello, Idaho, and now as Director of Street Reach. A pivotal encounter at a Citygate Conference introduced her to TRM and the Street Reach and MAP model, which she brought back to Idaho and launched as quickly as possible. Driven by a deep sense of calling and a desire that began in childhood for everyone to know Jesus, Jessica has continually followed where the Holy Spirit leads — even when it’s uncomfortable.
Jessica speaks openly about how her walk with God sustains her through challenging moments. She reflects on the thin veil between her own story and those she serves, and how temporary discomfort is often part of God’s greater plan. For her, this work is not a job — it’s a calling. She encourages the Church to step boldly into its mission, trusting that God is calling His people back to what they were never meant to let go of. This episode is a powerful reminder that when we cast our nets wide, God meets us in the deep.
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As the challenge of homelessness grows more urgent, one leader’s journey offers a powerful example of how diverse experiences can prepare us to serve. Shelly Buhler, a board member at Topeka Rescue Mission, shares insights shaped by a career spanning public service, education, and nonprofit leadership. From driving forklifts at a food bank to serving as a mayor and county commissioner, each step of her journey reflects how God prepares individuals for meaningful service. Now as President of Hayden High School, Buhler uses her diverse experiences to guide the mission’s response to growing needs, emphasizing both careful resource stewardship and deep compassion.
Buhler believes the solution requires a united effort—“It’s everybody’s job.” At Hayden, she instills this mindset in students through service opportunities that foster empathy and leadership. For listeners seeking to make a difference, Buhler’s story offers both inspiration and a practical reminder: we are all called to serve, right where we are.
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In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we honor Volunteer Appreciation Month by exploring the vital role volunteers play at TRM. John Roberts, Deputy Director of Community Needs & Services, shares how volunteers impact every department, from food services to guest support. Suzie Paslay reflects on her journey as Volunteer Coordinator, emphasizing the personal and spiritual significance of each volunteer’s service.
With between 70 to 90 volunteer spots available each day, these dedicated individuals are essential to TRM’s daily operations. From preparing meals to supporting guests and staff, volunteers are the hands and hearts behind the mission, making it possible to serve those in need with excellence and compassion. Suzie also highlights the importance of being people-oriented in her role, recognizing each volunteer’s heart and unique contribution—turning what could be a numbers game into a deeply personal ministry.
Tune in for a moving conversation on purpose, service, and the power of showing up with a willing heart.
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In this Holy Week episode, directors Josh Turley and Mike Schoettle journey through Jesus’s final days—from Palm Sunday’s peaceful procession to the glory of Resurrection Sunday. Along the way, they unpack profound moments like the cleansing of the temple, servant leadership on Maundy Thursday, and the deep sorrow of the crucifixion. Their reflection on “the long Saturday”—the quiet in-between of death and resurrection—offers comfort to those enduring seasons of waiting, grief, or uncertainty. It’s a powerful reminder that even in the silence, hope is still alive: Sunday is coming.
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The transformative power of faith takes center stage as Zack Bowles, Executive Director of Resurrection House in Chickasha, Oklahoma, shares his journey from trucking business owner to rescue mission leader. Serving a rural community of 16,000, Resurrection House proves that small towns can address homelessness effectively without merely relocating people to larger cities. Their holistic approach includes emergency shelter, a year-long Life Skills Institute, and a six-month work readiness program, all anchored in strong relationships with local churches to create lasting support networks.
Zack shares stories of incredible transformation, including a former fentanyl and heroin addict who now leads their work readiness program, praying, "God, use me like the drugs used me." We also dive into the heartbreak of relapses and the challenges of leadership, revealing the deep compassion that fuels their mission. Their work goes beyond providing shelter—it’s about fostering a place of hope and healing where people can discover their worth in God's eyes.
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The journey from living under a bridge to leading others toward hope isn’t just a story—it’s Jacob Harmon’s reality. Now the Assistant Director of Men’s Services at Topeka Rescue Mission, Jacob once arrived at TRM seeking relief from the summer heat after living in a tent. What he found was a program that rewrote his life, transforming his world from black and white to color through faith. Now, sitting at the same desk where he once received help, he serves with a singular hope: that people remember not his name, but the love of Jesus Christ.
Joined by TRM leaders Christian Stringfellow, Deputy Director of Shelter Services, and Mick Ballinger, Director of Men's Services, this episode explores the deeper mission behind their work—offering more than shelter, but true transformation. Operating much like an emergency room, their team handles crises, mental health struggles, and behavioral challenges with both skill and compassion. As CEO LaManda Cunningham puts it, “The heart can’t be taught,” and these leaders embody both heart and faith. Jacob’s journey is a powerful testament to the hope and purpose that can emerge from even the darkest places—a reminder that every person has the potential to step into a life filled with renewed color and purpose.
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In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, Mike Schoettle, Director of Spiritual Wellness and Discipleship, shares a powerful message: What if drawing closer to God were simpler than we make it? During this Lenten season, we unpack the profound simplicity of spiritual connection—one that transcends denominational boundaries and religious complexity. While Lent is often associated with Catholicism, it is observed by many Protestant traditions as a 40-day journey of spiritual formation, echoing the biblical significance of the number 40 as a period of testing and transformation.
Rather than focusing solely on giving something up, this conversation explores meaningful ways to create space for God—whether through intentional kindness, quiet reflection, or simply being present in the moment. Inspired by Brother Lawrence, a 17th-century monk known for finding God in ordinary tasks, we are reminded that spiritual connection doesn’t require grand gestures, only a willingness to turn our hearts toward Him. No matter the challenges we face, this discussion offers practical wisdom on sustaining a meaningful relationship with God, not just during Lent, but throughout our daily lives.
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In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we sit down with Lisa Bryant, Assistant Director of the Hope Center, to hear her powerful story of transformation. From battling addiction and experiencing homelessness to becoming a leader in shelter services, Lisa’s journey gives her a deep, personal connection to the guests she serves. She shares how Teen Challenge helped her find freedom and purpose, as well as the rewards and challenges of walking alongside people in crisis. Her past now shapes her present, allowing her to help others recognize their own worth and take steps toward a better future.
Joining Lisa, Rachel Flenniken, Director of the Hope Center, and Christian Stringfellow, Deputy Director of Shelter Services, discuss the realities of running a shelter, the dedication required to provide warmth and stability during the cold months, and the role of case management in guiding guests toward lasting change. This conversation is a testament to resilience, redemption, and the unwavering mission to love people where they are.
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This episode of Our Community, Our Mission was recorded prior to the incident on March 4th, in which an unsheltered neighbor was injured during a city-mandated encampment abatement. Our hearts are heavy over what happened, and while we are deeply grateful that he is okay, we are saddened that this situation occurred at all.
We are also incredibly thankful for the many partners and boots on the ground advocates in our community who care deeply and work tirelessly to support our unsheltered neighbors with compassion and dignity. But this incident is a stark reminder of what happens when decisions are made by elected officials without careful strategic measures and proper continuum of care community housing options, making it difficult on staff that are required to carry out their directives.
The conversation in this episode reflects the very concerns that so many have been voicing for so long—concerns about the need for a thoughtful, community-driven approach to homelessness. This is why collaboration, compassion, and real solutions matter.
Also, in this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we sit down with Kaleb Chockley, TRM Board Member and Topeka firefighter, to discuss his transformative journey from burnout to renewed purpose. Kaleb shares his experiences responding to 911 calls for the unsheltered in central Topeka, the struggles of compassion fatigue, and how faith reshaped his perspective.
With raw honesty, Kaleb reflects on the struggle many Christians face in truly stepping into opportunities to love others. He challenges believers to move beyond easy answers and embrace the complexity of homelessness with humility, grace, and an open heart. He reminds us that the same mercy available to us is available to everyone, and no matter our position, we are called to lead boldly in faith and love others as God does.
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This week on Our Community, Our Mission, we hear the powerful stories of Chris Harstad, Marcus Molinar, and Marvin Blanchett—three men who overcame addiction, homelessness, and uncertainty through faith, mentorship, and the support of the Rescue Mission community.
Chris, a single father, found himself homeless while struggling with addiction and the ability to provide for his son. Overwhelmed and uncertain, he turned to the Mission, where mentorship and faith gave him the strength to rebuild his life and create a stable future for his family. Marcus, now Deputy Director of Facilities & Security, shares how his journey of faith led him to serve others, while Marvin’s story highlights resilience, recovery, and the power of unconditional support.
Their testimonies prove that redemption is real, second chances are possible, and transformation happens when a community refuses to give up on anyone. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on perseverance, faith, and the life-changing impact of love in action.
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In this episode, Barry Feaker and La Manda Cunningham along with Christian Stringfellow, Deputy Director of Shelter Services, and Marcus Molinar, Deputy Director of Facilities & Security, explore the critical role of warming centers in our community.
What exactly is a warming center, and why are they essential? How do we decide when and where to open them? We discuss the challenges of operating these spaces, the difference between low-barrier and no-barrier shelters, and the life-changing impact these centers have on those who walk through their doors.
Our guests share the struggles of balancing team needs while ensuring these centers function effectively. We highlight the importance of a strong continuum of care, the invaluable support from community partners, and the need for increased involvement from governmental leadership who have the power to make both negative and positive decisions that impact those we serve.
Join us for a deep dive into the realities of warming centers and the fight to make sure everyone has access to the right resources at the right time.
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In this episode of Our Community, Our Mission, we sit down with Pat Yancy, Executive Director of Let’s Help & Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, to explore the impactful work of Let’s Help since its founding in 1969 and the many ways it continues to serve the community today.
Pat shares insights on Let’s Help's current initiatives, including food programs, a clothing bank for all ages, and GED educational support. With a mission to expand their reach, Let’s Help is seeking innovative ways to address food insecurity, partner with other organizations, and utilize their facilities more effectively.
We also discuss the importance of collective community compassion, emphasizing collaboration over competition and the need to stay adaptable to meet evolving challenges. We reflect on the power of unity and how working together amplifies the voice of those in need.
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Have you ever wondered how emerging leaders in rescue ministries are shaping the future? Join us as we welcome Jordan Smith, Chief Development Officer at Tree of Life Ministries, who reveals the transformative mission of supporting the poor and needy in Purcellville, Virginia. Jordan shares powerful, faith-driven stories of how Tree of Life Ministries addresses hidden struggles in one of America’s wealthiest counties.
Our conversation with Jordan highlights the importance of nurturing new leaders as retiring CEOs and directors make way for the next wave of changemakers. We explore the collaborative efforts through Citygate Network, how La Manda and Jordan lead the Emerging Leaders group within the network, and the pivotal role mentorship plays in developing future leaders. The connections formed at conferences and monthly Zoom meetings provide a sense of community among leaders picking up the baton of ministry, fostering a supportive network where personal stories and professional growth are shared and celebrated.
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In this episode, we delve into the incredible efforts of the Topeka Rescue Mission and its dedicated community partners to protect the unsheltered population during extreme weather. From the meticulous planning and outreach involved in preparing warming centers to the vital collaborations with community organizations, we highlight the critical strategies that foster resilience and ensure safety for our neighbors in need.
We also introduce Crystal Guerrero, a TRM Housing Navigator whose inspiring journey—from being a TRM guest over a decade ago to becoming an advocate and mentor—illustrates the power of determination and community support. Once struggling with addiction and homelessness, Crystal now works tirelessly to help others overcome barriers like past debts and legal issues, secure stable housing, and rebuild their lives. Her story is a testament to the value of peer support and the strength that comes from shared experiences.
This episode goes beyond a call to action—it’s an invitation to join a united effort to uplift our neighbors and create long-term solutions. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, trust, and the collective responsibility of fostering hope and change within our community.
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In this inspiring episode of Our Community, Our Mission, Pastor Marc Giffin of Rooted Community Church shares his journey of starting a church plant and stepping into a community to serve as "the Church" in action. Marc highlights the importance of answering the call to serve and asking, “What is our assignment?” He challenges us to live out our faith by showing up for others with intentionality, becoming part of the solution to their prayers, and praying with unwavering faith.
Marc also explores what it means to say "Yes" to God daily and reflects on the deep desire to love and serve the community we are planted in. He reminds us that being present and intentional allows us to truly embody the mission of faith—building relationships, meeting needs, and becoming a light to those around us. Tune in for thoughtful insight, encouragement, and a call to live with purpose and faith.
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In this episode, we visit with John Roberts, Deputy Director of Community Needs & Services, and Andrew Lucas, Director of Distribution Services, about how their team, alongside dedicated volunteers and supporters, is bringing holiday joy to our guests and unsheltered neighbors. From hosting heartfelt Christmas parties filled with games, treats, caroling, and personalized gifts to adopting 650 individuals from 115 families through the United Way Christmas Bureau, their combined efforts embody the spirit of intentional giving and community care.
This episode delves into the transformative power of connection during difficult times, as volunteers come together to deliver not just gifts but meaningful moments that bring joy and uplift spirits. Hear touching stories of hope, including how acts of kindness have brightened holidays for families in need. These efforts remind us that the true reason for the season is love and compassion for those around us.
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Welcome to the 250th episode of Our Community, Our Mission! On this Transformation Tuesday—our take on Giving Tuesday—we’re joined by John Ostenson, Vice President of TRM’s Board of Directors. John shares how serving on the board has deepened his faith and transformed him into a prayer warrior. He also reflects on TRM’s mission, emphasizing that it’s not just about providing food and shelter, but about transforming lives through faith, love, and community.
We discuss TRM’s approach to Giving Tuesday, the power of prayer in overcoming challenges, and the importance of unity in pursuing our mission. As we celebrate this milestone, we invite you to join us in making a lasting impact—through prayer, service, and support—to help TRM thrive and continue transforming lives in our community.
Want to support us this Giving Tuesday? Visit: trmonline.org/givingtuesday
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In this episode, Jessica Lehnherr, CEO of United Way of Kaw Valley, and Brett Martin, Vice President of Community Impact, join us to dive into the incredible work their organization does across four counties. We explore the legacy of the Christmas Bureau, a decades-old initiative that connects donors, adopters, and families in need during the holiday season.
From its humble beginnings cataloguing with index cards to serving over 1,000 households today, the Christmas Bureau demonstrates the power of compassion and collaboration. Hear about the challenges of meeting growing needs in the face of rising costs, the unique role of volunteers, and the profound impact of providing dignity to families.
To learn more about Christmas Bureau, visit:
https://www.uwkawvalley.org/christmasbureau-adopt
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Joins us for a special episode with Kourtney Barr, Deputy Director of Transformational Services, and Isabell Chronister, Director of Trauma Education & Development, as they share heartfelt stories of transformation, hope, and the power of human connection. This episode dives into the intentional investment in the emotional and spiritual needs of our guests and unsheltered neighbors, exploring how giving people a voice can spark profound change. From addressing the deep wounds of trauma to celebrating every individual’s inherent worth, Isabell and Kourtney invite us to see the Imago Dei—the image of God—in everyone.
Through personal anecdotes and thought-provoking insights, they challenge us to meet people where they are and help them discover their true value. Transformation is possible, and this conversation reminds us that love and faith are the catalysts for lasting change.
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Join us for a special episode where we talk with John Roberts, Deputy Director of Community Needs & Services, and Suzie Paslay, Volunteer Coordinator, about the heart and hands behind the Topeka Rescue Mission. TRM’s team gears up for the holiday season—sorting gifts, wrapping presents, preparing food bags, and creating opportunities for intentional holiday moments for both shelter guests, unsheltered neighbors, and community members in need.
As TRM’s volunteer opportunities grow, so does the excitement. John and Suzie share what makes TRM unique: a community where service goes beyond distribution and each volunteer has the chance to make a genuine impact. They explain that a TRM volunteer is someone who truly loves people and feels called to give their time and skills in support of the community. This episode celebrates the holiday season with TRM and shows how, by making needs known, they’re able to meet those needs through purpose, compassion, and faith.
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In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Tim Wilson of Lighthouse Bible Church in North Topeka. Pastor Tim shares the core beliefs that shape his church—Learning, Loving, and Living—as well as the church's deep commitment to serving the local community. Since its founding in 2005, Lighthouse Bible Church has supported the Topeka Rescue Mission and actively engaged in outreach programs like Operation Backpack, foster care, and the Trash Mountain Project. Pastor Tim shares personal stories of transformation, including his own journey from addiction to faith, and emphasizes the importance of a church that is open, welcoming, and committed to serving those in need. Join us as we explore what it means to build authentic relationships and a faith community where anyone can come as they are.
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Join us as we dive into the heartwarming details of the Third Annual TRM Fall Festival, a joyful gathering for unsheltered neighbors, guests, and families. In this episode, Kourtney Barr, Deputy Director of Transformational Services, and Mike Schoettle, Director of Spiritual Wellness & Discipleship, share how the festival has created a safe, inclusive space for everyone—whether they’re enjoying a pie-eating contest or simply finding comfort in being part of a welcoming community.
Hear stories and reflections from guests and unsheltered neighbors who joined in the fun, some experiencing fall festivities like pumpkin bowling and hay rides for the first time. More than just activities, the Fall Festival offers a reminder that everyone deserves a place where they feel seen, heard, and loved. This event opens the door to meaningful conversations, connection, and warmth, even amid life’s toughest seasons.
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In this episode, we’re joined by Marie Pyko, CEO of the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, to discuss the vital role the library plays in fostering community learning and connection.
Marie shares the Library's mission of being the center of community learning, emphasizing dignity, inclusion, and engagement for all, including those experiencing homelessness. With a staff of over 170, they continuously look for ways to connect with the community, ensuring that everyone feels welcome. We’ll explore the library’s unique approach as "the university for all" and its 2016 recognition as Library of the Year.
Join us as we dive into the power of libraries as bridge builders for community and the role they play in addressing local needs through empathy and innovation.
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In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of the Topeka Rescue Mission, highlighting the dedication and hard work of our facilities and security team. Join Marcus Molinar, Deputy Director of Facilities and Security, and Marvin Blanchett from the Facilities Team, as they share the challenges of managing six buildings and a fleet of vehicles, all while creating new opportunities for former guests. Discover Marvin's inspiring journey from being a guest at TRM to becoming a key member of the facilities team, and hear Marcus's passion for his role as they work together to ensure safety and cleanliness across the organization.
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In this episode, we’re honored to welcome Molly Petrie, Executive Director of CASA, to share the vital role Court Appointed Special Advocates play in the lives of children navigating the court system due to abuse or neglect.
As we explore pressing issues like child homelessness and the growing need for volunteers, Molly highlights how CASA’s work directly impacts the lives of those walking beside you today—children who need guidance and support. With over 650 children in Shawnee County requiring care, the need for community involvement is more urgent than ever.
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Join us in this episode as we sit down with Bill Horn, Worship Ministry Lead at Fellowship Bible Church, and Josh Turley, Director of Strategic Development, to dive into the incredible experience of our recent Night of Praise! Get a behind-the-scenes look at the passion and effort that went into bringing the event to life, discover the deeper purpose that inspired it, and hear our hopes for how it impacted everyone who attended.
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Join us for a special episode with Josh Turley, Director of Strategic Development, and Mike Schoettle, Director of Spiritual Wellness & Discipleship, as they share their excitement for the upcoming Night of Praise! We'll reflect on last year's event and look ahead to what the Lord has in store this year. Mike also highlights the importance of unity in the Body of Christ as we come together in worship. Don't miss Night of Praise on Sunday, September 22nd, at 6 PM at Fellowship Bible Church!
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In this episode, Miriam Krehbiel, Deputy Director of Supportive Services, and John Roberts, Deputy Director of Community Needs & Services, share insights from the recent Kansas Housing Conference they attended. They explore the meaning of attainable housing, the importance of moving beyond emergency shelters, and the critical role case managers play in helping individuals overcome barriers to secure stable housing.
From addressing common misconceptions about homelessness to understanding the complex challenges faced by those pursuing housing, Miriam and John discuss some of the many facets that it takes to provide real solutions. They also highlight successful models from other cities, discuss the need for affordable and safe housing, and remind us why everyone has a reason to care about this issue. By fostering collaboration and building relationships, they show that together, we can make a lasting impact on our communities.
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In this episode, we sit down with Pedro Concepcion, CEO of NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, who shares his journey from Chicago to Topeka and his role in transforming the city's cultural landscape through The Burger Stand and beyond. Pedro discusses the importance of collective growth, emphasizing that a thriving city requires a foundation of morals, strategy, and integrity. He delves into the challenges and opportunities of creating attainable housing in the NOTO district, his involvement in the City Innovation Team, and the importance of removing egos to solve complex issues like homelessness. Pedro also talks about the significance of educating oneself and taking action to change the status quo, stressing that leadership is about serving the community and making decisions for the greater good. Tune in to learn more about how NOTO is contributing to Topeka's growth and why it's crucial to build bridges and be part of the conversation.
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In this episode, Barry Feaker, CEO of Compassion Strategies, and Brett Martin, VP of Community Impact for United Way of Kaw Valley, dive into the "All Hands on Deck" initiative, a bold response to Topeka's homelessness crisis. They discuss the origins, challenges, and community's role in this united effort to find real solutions, emphasizing collaboration, compassion, and the power of community action. This conversation is a call to action for all of us to make a difference.
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Have you ever wondered how trauma affects those experiencing homelessness and what steps can lead to true transformation?
In this eye-opening episode, we speak with Kourtney Barr, Deputy Director of Transformational Services, and Kodee Bloom, Director of Trauma Education and Development. They share their deep knowledge on trauma education and their commitment to fostering lasting change. Kodee delves into the complexities of trauma, emphasizing how understanding past hardships is crucial for long-term healing. Kourtney discusses the mission's holistic approach, covering everything from life skills to career readiness, and underscores the need for more than just surface-level support to enable genuine thriving.
Join us as we explore Kourtney and Kodee’s remarkable findings from their internal research on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on those experiencing homelessness. We also discuss their collaboration with the Department of Psychology at Washburn University, the development of the study, and its presentation at the recent American Psychological Association Conference in Seattle. Tune in for powerful stories and insights designed to transform lives and communities.
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In this episode, we offer an inside look at the daily challenges and triumphs at the Topeka Rescue Mission. We sit down with Mick Ballinger, Assistant Director of Men’s Services, as he shares his inspiring journey from the construction industry to becoming a Housing Navigator at TRM, and ultimately, the Assistant Director of the Men’s Shelter. His story is a powerful testament to the impact of faith and community, capturing the essence of seeing beyond labels to recognize the inherent worth in every individual.
We delve into profound themes of hope, value, and redemption, emphasizing the message that every person is valuable—not because of their actions, but because of the identity found in the love and grace of Jesus Christ. Through heartfelt interviews and personal stories, we highlight the Mission’s unwavering commitment to spreading this message of value and hope.
Finally, we invite you to join us on September 22nd for our second annual Night of Praise—a unifying celebration of worship and support for the Mission.
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You've heard his voice, now hear his story!
Join us for an inspiring episode where we delve into the life and journey of Issiah Thurman, TRM's Creative Communications Coordinator.
Issiah opens up about his experiences growing up and staying at the Mission, revealing how those formative years profoundly influenced his life. He takes us through his pivotal college years, highlighting his involvement with Christian Challenge and how it helped shape his faith and character. Finally, Issiah reflects on how accepting his current role at TRM has brought his journey full circle, bringing together his past experiences and present responsibilities in a meaningful and impactful way.
Tune in to hear about Issiah's remarkable path and how he's come to embody the mission and values of TRM in his work today.
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Listen in this week as we visit with Janice Watkins, CEO of Topeka Habitat for Humanity, about her transformative initiatives and the organization's extraordinary track record in homeownership preparedness and foreclosure prevention. We delve into an innovative aging-in-place program that goes beyond home repairs to offer comprehensive support, from food access to medical transportation. We also highlight the alarming rise in elderly homelessness and how Topeka's Habitat for Humanity has successfully prevented over 750 households from losing their homes since 2017.
Discover the life-changing House to Home program designed to help individuals trapped in exploitative contracts secure legitimate homeownership. We'll also talk about the Tool Bus initiative, a mobile tool lending service that empowers community members to undertake their home repairs, and the critical role of the ReStore in supporting Habitat’s mission. In this conversation with Janice, we explore the broader implications of the affordable housing crisis, emphasizing the collective effort required to foster a stable, supportive community.
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Join us for an insightful episode as we talk with Andrew Lucas (Director of Distribution Services) and Scott Bryant (Assistant Director of Distribution Services) about our upcoming Back to School event, a crucial initiative supporting students and families in our community. We'll take a deep dive into the essential operations of our distribution center, highlighting how we ensure food reaches those in need. Additionally, we'll explore the significant effects of the recent economic shifts on food distribution, examining the challenges and strategies we've implemented to continue serving our community.
We also shine a light on the amazing efforts within our community to provide hydration stations for those in need. These vital resources are making a significant difference, especially during the hot summer months. Furthermore, we'll discuss the various community-driven initiatives aimed at helping individuals and families who might be struggling to afford food. Hear inspiring stories of neighbors coming together to support one another and learn how you can get involved in these incredible efforts.
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Join us as we visit with Bill Persinger, the outgoing CEO of Valeo Behavioral Health Care. We begin by expressing our gratitude for Bill’s work as CEO as he prepares for retirement, and then delve into his extensive career in mental health. Bill shares insights into the evolution of behavioral health care and the history of community mental health centers in Kansas. We discuss Valeo’s growth, the staffing challenges they face, and the broader landscape of mental health services.
We also explore the importance of community partnerships in addressing issues like addiction, homelessness, and mental health. Highlighting initiatives such as the Mobile Access Partnership and rapid rehousing programs, we demonstrate how collaboration between various agencies fosters public safety, improves access to behavioral health care, and makes a lasting positive impact on communities. Whether you’re passionate about mental health or community service, this episode offers inspiration and valuable insights. Tune in to hear stories of dedication and collaboration that are making a real difference in people’s lives.
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Join us for a special episode as we unravel the intricate layers of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that could impact our unsheltered neighbors. Our guest host, Brett Martin, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way of Kaw Valley, guides the conversation as La Manda, Barry, and Miriam discuss compassion and practicality in homelessness policies, aiming to provide clarity on this complex issue.
We delve deep into the challenges local governments and other entities face in addressing homelessness, striving for balanced, humane solutions that consider the needs of all community members while adhering to legal and ethical standards. We highlight the transformative power of community collaboration and accurate information, emphasizing the need for open, respectful dialogue to counteract misinformation and fear-driven narratives.
This episode showcases how hope, cooperation, and collective action can lead to meaningful change, offering a hopeful vision of what our communities can achieve when we work together. Don't miss this inspiring and informative discussion on building a compassionate response to homelessness.
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Join us for an inspiring episode featuring La Manda Broyles, Miriam Krehbiel, John Roberts, and Josh Turley as they share the transformative impact of the recent Citygate Network Conference. We'll dive into how Citygate Network connects and empowers rescue ministries nationwide, with insights from the annual conference in Kentucky where over 1,200 attendees gathered to strengthen their faith and resilience, inspired by 1 John 5:4.
Hear powerful insights from the general sessions and workshops, from the impact of genuine compliments to Christ’s relentless pursuit of “the one.” We'll discuss the camaraderie among mission workers and the Emerging Leaders group fostering growth and connection among new leaders. We wrap up with reflections on unity, empowerment, and faith in our mission, sharing practical lessons on balancing service with personal renewal. Don't miss this engaging and uplifting episode!
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Can understanding trauma transform the way we address homelessness? Join us in this deeply impactful episode as we visit with Kourtney Barr, Deputy Director of Transformational Services, and Kodee Bloom, Director of Trauma Education & Development. We dive into trauma-informed care, how we implement Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) techniques in our daily work, and how we create a safe and empowering space for personal transformation. Through real-life stories and a deeper understanding of trauma, we emphasize the critical role of empathy and individualized support in fostering lasting change.
In this episode, we also discuss the development of the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Test and how our team has conducted research with it to better understand those we serve. Through this research, in partnership with the Psychology Department from Washburn University, we have the incredible opportunity to share our findings at the upcoming American Psychological Association's national conference. We celebrate this milestone and the dedication of our team members who tirelessly work to spread hope and healing. From the origins of our internal studies to the broader implications for policies and laws related to homelessness, this episode underscores the importance of addressing the root causes of trauma. Join us on this journey of compassion, knowledge, and unwavering belief in the potential for positive change within our community.
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Meet Kenny, our extraordinary guest who takes us through his incredible journey from the depths of a 43-year-long addiction to heroin and meth to his pivotal role at the Topeka Rescue Mission. Kenny's story is one of unimaginable struggles, from homelessness to a transformative plea for help in October 2014. Kenny's narrative underscores the euphoria and agony of addiction, the crucial impact of social circles, and the life-altering power of reaching out for support.
We close on uplifting themes of redemption, joy, and spiritual growth, highlighting Kenny's current mission work and his moving reunion with his daughter. His story of faith and recovery is interwoven with touching memories and acts of kindness, offering a powerful testament to resilience and the transformative power of love and forgiveness.
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In this special episode, Mike Schoettle, Director of Spiritual Wellness & Discipleship, shares a childhood memory of a night filled with both fear and deep reassurance from his father. Reflecting on that experience, Mike draws a parallel to the profound love of our Heavenly Father. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of how a parent's unwavering love can provide a glimpse into the boundless love that God has for each of us.
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Join us for a special conversation with Connor Kraus, the lead pastor of Topeka Bible Church. In this episode, we delve into the strategic transition of pastoral leadership, TBC's dedication to its missions and the gospel, and Connor's vision for the church's future. Discover how he is guiding the church towards enhanced discipleship, increased local outreach, and a stronger digital media presence. We also explore the church's commitment to comprehensive biblical teaching and its mission to help congregants develop a profound and balanced understanding of scripture.
Turning our attention to community efforts, we address the pressing issue of homelessness and the crucial role faith-based organizations play in tackling it. Through understanding "They Why" and "The How," we highlight the impactful and crucial partnership between Topeka Rescue Mission and local churches. Learn how community unity and shared values are essential in addressing societal challenges, and be inspired by the incredible efforts of Topeka Bible Church and other local entities working together to make a meaningful difference.
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Meet Kim and Miranda, two dedicated staff members from TRM, who share their journeys to where they are today! Kim takes us through her transition from working with volunteers, to serving as La Manda's Executive Assistant, and finally to her current role in HR. Meanwhile, Miranda offers a heartfelt look at her path from being a guest at TRM, to training through various roles within the organization, and ultimately becoming the Executive Assistant.
Their stories highlight the transformative power of education, mentorship, and continuous learning. We conclude with reflections on the essence of professionalism and compassion in our work, celebrating the dynamic roles within the Topeka Rescue Mission and the unwavering dedication of our team.
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Tackling homelessness can't be done in isolation. This episode is a testament to that, as we delve into the grassroots efforts of Topeka JUMP (Justice Unity & Ministry Project), supported by 29 faith communities, and their bottom-up approach to societal concerns. We visit with JUMP organizers Sarah Balzer, Jason Maymon, and JUMP Executive Committee member, Nate Marsh, to examine how tensions and challenges are not hurdles but catalysts that, when approached with compassion and understanding, fuel the advocacy for solutions that echo the core tenets of faith and activism.
We round off our discussion by debunking misconceptions about TRM's plans for a low barrier shelter, emphasizing the need for informed collaboration across various sectors to truly address the needs of the homeless. The potential outcomes of the city council meeting, the role of organizations like JUMP, and the significance of a long-term commitment to change are all topics we dissect. Join us as we explore the importance of understanding homelessness beyond stereotypes, and as we extend an open invitation to those keen on making a tangible difference in our community.
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Step into an engaging discussion with John Schardine, the Property Maintenance Director for the City of Topeka. Discover his heartfelt approach to property management, prioritizing education over penalties and striving to understand the root causes behind property complaints.
John shares with us how he navigates the wide ranging complexities of property issues, and works to foster a culture of compassion and collective responsibility for the person in the property. Learn about the challenges and rewards of building relationships and partnerships, and the genuine difference they make in improving our community.
If you have any questions or concerns about properties, call John's office at: 785-368-3170
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Have you ever pondered the profound influence of a helping hand? Join us as we delve into the remarkable contributions of the volunteers who selflessly dedicate their time at TRM!
Accompanied by Suzie Paslay, our Volunteer & Staff Engagement Coordinator, we delve into the pivotal role that volunteers play across all facets of our ministry, enriching the lives of guests, staff, and the unsheltered community alike.
Discover Suzie's passion for matching volunteers with opportunities that resonate with their interests and expertise, explore the diverse array of roles available, and hear our deepest gratitude to the incredible individuals who comprise our volunteer team!
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There's something special about the TRM kitchen—it's where hearts connect, and change is embraced with open arms. In this episode, hear how Chef Sean Hall is passing the baton of Director Food Services to Chef Sally Herrera.
Through the bittersweet news of Chef Sean's departure, we revisit some of his time here, as well as look to the future with anticipation for where the Lord is directing his next steps! Through the change, we are also excited to see how the Lord has prepared Chef Sally as she steps into this role with a nurturing presence crucial for a team like ours. This episode is a testament to the personal growth and powerful stories of redemption that unfold within our walls, emphasizing the importance of second chances and the impact of sharing one's journey.
Our conversation takes us through the importance of embracing change, as seen in our kitchen and beyond. We explore how Jesus himself navigated change and how maintaining our mission to love unconditionally guides us through all seasons.
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Join us for a beautiful episode as we sit down with Holton Witman, the outgoing Director of Distribution Services at TRM. Delve into his journey within the organization, from his beginnings in the street outreach team to his conscious choice to prioritize his role as a father and family man. Experience the thrilling narrative of following one's faith journey while also grappling with the bittersweet challenge of departing from a place where divine intervention is a daily occurrence.
Amidst this period of transition, we are excited to visit with Andrew Lucas, the incoming Director of Distribution Services. Discover the path that led Andrew to TRM, witness the seamless passing of the torch from Holton, and his observing firsthand the tangible acts of being the hands and feet of Jesus.
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Join us for a critical conversation with Topeka Police Department's Major Mike Cross, a 23-year veteran with profound insights into community and law enforcement collaboration. Our discussion paints a vivid picture of the interplay between local ordinances, unsheltered populations, and the role of the police in addressing these societal challenges. This episode peels back the layers of complexity surrounding homelessness, exploring the delicate balance of supporting individual rights while maintaining residential areas. We examine the effectiveness of ordinances in handling unauthorized camping and panhandling, the implications for businesses and residents, and the importance of compassion in enforcement. As we navigate the intricacies of community advocacy, we illuminate the varied perspectives on homelessness, highlighting the efforts of community organizations to advocate for our city's most vulnerable.
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This episode is a journey of reflection and inspiration, tracking the footprints of a man whose childhood curiosity in a seventh-grade science class blossomed into a career in engineering which shaped a path to full time ministry in Topeka. Johnathan Sublet, Interim Executive Director and Board Chairman for SENT and Servant Pastor at Fellowship Hi-Crest, shares the powerful influence of mentors and the support that shaped his mission.
Johnathan also takes us on a deep dive into the work of revitalizing the Hi-Crest neighborhood, where hearts are being mended and futures are being forged. He maps out the impact of strategic housing projects, educational initiatives, and wholistic health for each individual. Lasting change emerges not just from grand gestures, but from the everyday engagement that Jonathan, SENT, and Fellowship Hi-Crest exemplify, proving that the true measure of our mission lies in the lives we touch and the legacy we leave.
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Sunday wouldn't have mattered if Friday didn't happen.
In this episode we reflect on the incredible sacrifice that Jesus paid for all of us. We are joined by Mike Schoettle who shares from his "Sacred Steps" devotional series written for TRM staff in the weeks leading up to Easter. Mike's devotionals, steeped in authenticity and reverence, help guide us to a deeper appreciation of the transformative power of Christ's love through His tremendous suffering, and the invitation to an eternal relationship with God that's open to all. Remembering the constancy of God's love, this episode is a reminder that the hope ignited by Easter is not confined to a single Sunday but extends into every moment of our existence.
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Navigating mental health and community outreach, we're honored to welcome Matt Baldwin from Breakthrough House to our dialogue. We explore partnerships and the balance of support and independence in mental wellness.
Matt shares Breakthrough House's core belief: community guidance for reintegrating individuals. Hear stories of resilience, highlighting community's role in restoring purpose. We also dive into the bond between homeless individuals and their pets, finding hope in love and loyalty through Matt's involvement with the Topeka Chapter of Street Dog Coalition.
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Cherished connections and understanding people's motivations are the bedrock of any thriving non-profit, and we uncover just how these elements fuel our Mission. We take you behind the scenes to visit with TRM Donor Relations Specialist, Jamie Wiegert. Hear about his background in growing relationships in sales, leading into nurturing a family of supporters who share our passion for service. As we unpack the shift in donor inclinations towards supporting causes that resonate deeply, we reveal the profound personal transformations that accompany engagement with faith-based initiatives. Our conversation is an invitation to witness trusting in the Lord to supply our needs, and the joy of thanking those who walk with us on this path of giving and faith.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this episode, La Manda Broyles, TRM Executive Director, visits with her Deputy Directors, Kourtney Barr, Miriam Krehbiel, and Christian Stringfellow about unity and vision for those we serve! This impactful conversation hits on a recent retreat the leadership team were able to go on and the insights and renewal they were able to glean from it. La Manda and the Deputies also share vision for each of the ways they are excited to see their areas of ministry grow within TRM and in reaching the community.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in to this wonderful interview, as we talk with Brian Cole, Director of the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. Brian shares about his personal path into the world of corrections, and it's clear that his heart beats for change and dignity within the system. We discuss the innovative steps to prioritize rehabilitation and the essential role community partnerships play in supporting inmates' reintegration into society. Our discussion illuminates how these programs extend a helping hand beyond the jail walls, ensuring that when inmates step back into the community, they're welcomed with opportunities rather than obstacles.
But the conversation doesn't stop at redemption and second chances. We also tackle the stark realities that Brian and his team face daily, from managing a diverse inmate population to improving mental health services within the confines of a correctional facility. The chapter on compassion and justice in the community offers a candid look into the balance of justice and reconciliation, and the shared responsibilities in working with marginalized populations. Brian's unwavering commitment shines as a beacon of hope.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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(DISCLAIMER: This episode is a very raw and unfiltered interview and as such contains some explicit language. Listener discretion is advised.)
Have you ever grasped the weight of a second chance, the kind that reshapes the very core of a human soul? Listen in as we visit with our special guest, George Cunningham, to hear his journey from the chilling grip of drug addiction and loneliness to the warm embrace of persistent compassion.
Our conversation traverses the rugged terrains of his life – from the horrors of war as a Marine, to the isolation of living in a tent, to his encounter with TRM's outreach team who saw beyond his circumstances to the man desperate for hope. As George's tale unfolds, we witness the birth of trust and friendship amidst the rubble of past betrayals, and celebrate his hard-fought victory through the potent combination of faith and support of others
This episode isn't just a chronicle of one man's redemption – it's an invitation to witness how love, faith, and a helping hand can illuminate the path from the darkest of places to a future brimming with possibility.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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When the icy grip of a winter threatened the vulnerable in Topeka, a torrent of compassion and collaboration surged through the community. In this episode we celebrate the efforts of community helping community! Joined by Kristin Stock from Valeo, Richard Martinez from Street Team Ministry, and Sergeant Matt Rose from the Topeka Police Department, we reflect on the collective effort it took to create multiple warming centers that helped over 300 unduplicated individuals and share a few of the stories that touched our hearts.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day, and Barry's Birthday! Oh my!
In this special episode we discuss the significance of Ash Wednesday, the great distances we go for love, and the impact of the people that God places in our lives.
You are loved!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this special episode Mike Schoettle, TRM's Director of Spiritual Wellness & Discipleship, has the main mic! Sharing an encouraging message of the Lord's steadfastness. Drawing parallels from his experience working at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo to trusting God to carry you through struggles, we discuss the profound impact of prayer and trusting in the Lord as we navigate through uncertainty.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in as La Manda Broyles visits with Deputy Directors, Kourtney Barr (Transformational Services), Miriam Krehbiel (Supportive Services), and Christian Stringfellow (Shelter Services) to reflect on 2023. From the moments of pride, to the difficulties of challenge, and the amazing God stories that make it all worth it.
We also discuss the importance of letting the Lord work on us so that we can do work for the Lord, as well as the understanding that the tension plays the tune.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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We're joined by Ken Peterson, the Regional Coordinator for the Central region of the Citygate Network, North America’s oldest and largest community of independent, faith-based crisis shelters and life-transformation centers.
Ken gives his unique insights into transformative growth, stories of connection, and shared wisdom on the importance of gathering in solidarity to uplift those dedicated to serving the most vulnerable in our communities.
Navigating the challenges of leading a rescue mission can often feel isolating, but Ken underscores the power of collective support and the Citygate Network's essential role in fortifying leaders.
Ken also shares his personal odyssey, from battling substance abuse to guiding others as a director within the rescue mission community. His testament to the redemptive power of faith and support casts a beacon of hope for all who seek change.
To learn more about Citygate Network, Click Here!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
When the mercury plummets, the winds howl, and the snow falls, we desire to keep our unsheltered neighbors warm and safe. See a need, meet a need.
In this episode, you'll hear about the efforts to transform our warehouse into a warming center, our need for community support, and a heartwarming story of transformation through 4 words, "food, safe, thank you, and bye."
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
As the festive lights twinkle and the spirit of Christmas warms our hearts, we visit with Mike Schoettle in a special episode that's a testament to transformation and enduring hope. Mike opens up about his journey from moments of uncertainty to receiving affirmations of his spiritual path, leading up to his new role as Director of Spiritual Wellness & Discipleship.
Wrapping up this heartwarming episode, we delve into the profound lessons learned from the Christmas story, drawing parallels between biblical times and the struggles faced by many today. Our guest shares his own path to ministry, a journey marked by faith, unexpected turns, and a commitment to serving the community. This episode isn't just for the Christmas season—it's an invitation to carry the message of hope, love, and compassion with us throughout the year. By concluding with a reading from Luke 2, we're reminded of the timeless message of hope and God's constant presence, which guide us in our mission to bring Help and Hope to those in need.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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What does it look like to help oversee our Christmas Distribution operation?
Get an inside listen as we visit with Cindy Risch, TRM Volunteer and Christmas Coordinator. Hear her heart for serving, how her background in engineering helps her see the big picture for everything to work together, and some of the stories of how God has provided in incredible ways to bless those in need.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In this episode we revisit a very special episode from this time last year, where we sat down and visited with one of the original founders of TRM, Max Manning! Even at the age of 95, Max continues to carry a spirit that embodies an unwavering dedication to service and immeasurable love for humanity. Be inspired by his journey of founding the Topeka Rescue Mission to his ongoing work with Global Mission Ministries.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Christmas time is here!
Listen in as we visit with Holton Witman, Director of Distribution Services, and Mike Schoettle, Assistant Director of Distribution Services, about all the amazing things going on at the Distribution Center during this special time of year. From preparing and delivering gifts to trusting God to provide in amazing ways.
Through your support, we're able to bless those in need in very special ways.
Grab a special gift off our Amazon Wish Lists for a specific person!
Guests: https://a.co/g0lmLZs
Unsheltered Neighbors: https://a.co/dau509L
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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This milestone episode, our 200th broadcast, coincides beautifully with the spirit of Giving Tuesday! Listen as explore the multiple ways you, our listeners, can play an instrumental role, and also hear from some of our amazing staff and hear the "Why?" behind their work and impact here at TRM. We are so thankful for them and we are thankful for you!
To support TRM, you can shop our fun "online store" to donate, givingtuesdaytopeka.com
Or visit trmonline.org and click Give Now!
The holiday season is not just about celebrating, but it's also about reflection, redemption and finding purpose. In this episode we visit with our very own, Chef Sean Hall. Hear how he found his true calling at TRM, about his difficult journey to get here, and the important reminder that no matter our past, there's always hope for a brighter future through Christ.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Awareness of homelessness may be highlighted this week, but it's happening every day.
In this episode, La Manda and Barry unpack some of the tough questions surrounding homelessness, why there is not a one size fits all answer to solve it, and how we all have a part to play.
It's a beautiful mess when you seek to truly help those in need, but every person has value and is worth pursuing!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with our good friend, Adrian Revels, Production Associate for Goodyear and 2023 graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka. Hear how he first learned more about TRM through La Manda coming to speak to his LGT class, to how he has now become a strong advocate for our unsheltered neighbors.
Also, learn about his story of coming alongside a neighbor who was able to get housing, and how Adrian helped him continue along his path to sustained success!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Listen in as we visit with Isabell Chronister, Assistant Director of the Hope Center!
Hear about her time as interning at TRM through Washburn University, where she worked with our TED (Trauma Education Department) Team, and her desire to continue working here even after her internship was completed.
Also learn about her heart for the people we serve, and how we are really doing life with those we serve.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Listen in to a special conversation and unique perspective as we sit down with Steve Vogel, a seasoned landlord and President of the Shawnee County Landlord Association. Steve shares his unique insights into the persistent social issue of helping those experiencing homelessness. Our discussion ranges from exploring the intricate workings of the landlord business, the importance of building positive relationships to build a stronger community, and Steve's passion for protecting the "Mom & Pop" landlords.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In our latest conversation, we visit with Mike Lesser. Through his role as vice president of the board for Compassion Strategies, his tenure as a City Council member in Topeka, and his experience on the Seaman School Board, Mike has made a remarkable impact on the community he serves. But as strong as his community spirit is, Mike's personal journey navigating through anxiety is equally compelling.
In this dialogue, Mike opens up about his lifelong battle with anxiety, sharing moments of vulnerability and strength. From the difficulties of driving on the turnpike to the challenges of living through anxiety attacks, we journey with Mike as he reveals the realities many face, often silently. We explore the importance of seeking help and the courage it takes to ask for support.
In the final part of our discussion, we examine Mike's unwavering character and faith, and how these have helped him weather life's storms. His transparency and vulnerability have garnered him a sea of loyal friends and family. This episode is a tribute to those who live with anxiety, a reminder of the power of community, and a beacon of hope that Jesus sees us as his "Why."
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with Steve Saffa, TRM Director of Human Resources.
Hear about his journey from serving in the corporate world, to serving in a role overseeing HR in Africa and how he was led to TRM. Steve sheds light on the importance of having the right person in each role to ensure we remain Christ-centered in our service. Serving is no easy feat and, as Steve emphasizes, it's crucial to balance self-care with the sacrifice of serving. We delve deep into the challenges faced by those on the frontlines of helping others. Amid the discussions, we hear Steve's miraculous story of survival from a house fire. It's a riveting account that underscores the importance of faith during challenging times.
Also in this episode, hear about our opportunity to host an extraordinary huddle of 40 individuals from 8 ministries, all gathered to connect, worship and share insights on how to better serve those in need. That's what we experienced at the Citygate Heartland Huddle hosted by TRM. Touching on gearing up for the holiday season, we express our profound gratitude to our volunteers, donors and everyone who supports our mission.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Navigating difficult circumstance in the path we are on.
In this episode, we visit with Erik Oldberg, a worship leader who radiates an infectious passion for guiding people into the Kingdom of God through worship. Erik shares about his journey as a missionary kid from Africa to how he landed in Topeka, his dedication to serve churches in need of music, and his daughter's selfless initiatives to aid the homeless community.
Erik shares the story of the love and care he received from his church family during a challenging period of his life. Amidst his battle with cancer and the engulfing COVID pandemic, his church stood with him, embodying love and compassion. This poignant chapter in Erik's life serves as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the significance of listening and acting upon God's message, and the profound influence community support can wield.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this episode, we sit down with our special guests, Greg Armbruster and SJ Hazim, to reflect on our recent Night of Praise fundraiser!
First up, Greg Armbruster, TRM Board Member, shares about how the idea for the event came to be and the passion that fueled our desire to bring Night of Praise to life.
Next, Josh Turley, Creative Communications Director, gives a look into the work that went into making it happen and the excitement of seeing it all come together.
Finally, we hear from SJ Hazim, local Artist, whose performances added a special touch to the night. SJ opens up about his personal connection to the event and the heart and soul he poured into each captivating act.
To all the incredible individuals who contributed to the success of Night of Praise and to those who joined us to support TRM, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. This episode is a celebration of your commitment and the power of community coming together to make a difference.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Be encouraged as we visit with Pastor Gabe Pennington from Southern Hill's Mennonite Church. Hear about his journey that led him to pastoring in Topeka, our responsibility to love people so that they know they are loved by God, and how we stay focused on Jesus when so many distractions are all around us.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Join us as we visit with our special guest, Suzie Paslay, TRM's Volunteer and Staff Engagement Coordinator. Listen to Suzie's journey of heeding God's calling, gain insights on the various volunteering opportunities available, and hear how her role has touched her life and the lives of those around her in beautiful ways through her positivity, laughter, kindness, and excellence.
To learn more and volunteer, Click Here!
In this episode, we take a dive into what we learned from our recent community informational meetings.
Listen into the heart driving these meetings, our commitment to unite in service to those in need, and the wisdom we've gleaned from the stories shared by our attendees!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in as we engage in a conversation with Troy McMaster and Taylor Kimmel, our friends from the Federal Home Loan Bank. Tune in to discover the details surrounding the grant awarded to TRM, which serves to transform our Hope Center into a cozier haven for our guests. Hear about the remarkable commitment shown by FHL staff, who've invested not only financially but also through their sweat equity. Additionally, we explore the profound reasons driving these essential modifications, all viewed through the perspective of trauma-informed care.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Join us as we visit with our special guest, Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Superintendent of USD 501 Topeka Public Schools. Hear about taking difficult opportunities and turning them into positive impact, seeing ourselves in the position of the vulnerable for greater empathy, and understanding how everything in life is preparatory and we are positioned on purpose.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Go behind the scenes of our Men's Shelter and Hope Center!
Listen in as we visit with John Roberts, Director of Men's Shelter, and Rachel Flenniken, Director of Hope Center, as they paint a picture of what it looks like to offer help and hope to those in need through the highs and lows, and everything in between!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
From helping kiddos get supplies they need for the school year, to providing food to those facing hunger, our team at the Distribution Center works to help those in need!
Listen in as we visit with Holton Witman, Director of Distribution Services, and Mike Schoettle, Assistant Director of Distribution Services, about the continued increase in those accessing our food services, as well as the need for food to meet those needs. Learn about our Back to School Bash going on now, and how you, our amazing listeners and supporters, make it all happen!
Check out our needs list here: www.trmonline.org/needslist
Check out this weeks episode as we visit with TRM board member, Greg Armbruster! Here about his journey to a relationship with Jesus, how his views on homelessness transformed from indifference to compassion through his involvement with TRM, and the value of deep relationships through mentoring. Tune in as we explore the critical role of love, patience, and faith in addressing homelessness, fostering lasting change, and transforming lives.
Here also in this episode, updates on our Back to School bash, community informational meetings, the ever growing food need, and how we are working to help our unsheltered neighbors stay safe during the intense heat wave.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in to our conversation with Danielle Norwood, Majic 107.7 Morning Show Host and wonderful friend to TRM. Danielle takes us on her faith journey, and her path of self-discovery. She brings to the forefront the importance of being open about our struggles, surrounding ourselves with people in your corner, and finding peace that God will bring us through it. Danielle's story is a testament to the resilience of faith, the power of transformation, and the joy of finding light in the darkest of times.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Have you ever misjudged someone based off a first impression?
Listen in to this special episode, as Barry Feaker recounts the first chapter of his book, "In Darkness, A Light Still Shines." Reflecting on his first day as Executive Director of TRM and the important lesson of not being to quick to judge.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in as Barry, La Manda, and Miriam, visit with Lino Munoz, TRM Board Member for 31 years and Biomedical Equipment Tech at Stormont-Vail Health!
Hear how Lino got started serving at TRM, learned the value of perseverance from past board members, and revisit some of the stories of hope that have encouraged him. Learn about his level of commitment to following the Lord in making wise decisions, and the needed spiritual comfort that he provides to TRM leadership and fellow board members.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in to Part 2 of our Citygate Conference recap! La Manda and Miriam visit with Kourtney Barr (Directer, Trauma Education & Development), Rachel Flenniken (Director, Hope Center) and Haleigh Hipsher (Outreach Advocate), about their incredible experience attending the Citygate Network Conference, with over 1,200 individuals from other Rescue Missions and ministries across the country.
Our friends reflect on their thoughts leading up to the conference, the camaraderie built to provide trust when the storms of life come, and the invitation that we have to carry the light of Christ into the hopeless darkness.
Don't miss the inspiring takeaways and lessons learned from the Citygate Network Conference, and how their stories may encourage you to trust in God's plan and be bold in serving others.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in as La Manda and Miriam visit with Kim Turley (Executive Assistant), Mike Schoettle (Assistant Director of Distribution Services), and Daniel Dobson (Outreach Advocate), about their incredible experience attending the Citygate Network Conference, with over 1,200 individuals from other Rescue Missions and ministries across the country.
Hear their reflections on what they were able to take away from the sessions, how comradery and connections were made through the Emerging Leaders group, and what they are excited to put into practice as we continue to serve our community.
Don't miss the inspiring takeaways and lessons learned from the Citygate Network Conference, and how their stories may encourage you to trust in God's plan and be bold in serving others.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Listen in this week as we visit with Bill Persinger, CEO of Valeo Behavioral Health Care. We explore the changes through the years of mental health care, the crucial impact of providing accessible help, and also dive into the integration of spirituality and mental health and the important role the church can play in addressing mental health needs.
Finally, we discuss Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) and its role in providing services to our unsheltered neighbors. With the support of volunteers, staff, and donors, MAP has made a significant impact on our community. Don't miss this insightful conversation as we celebrate the power of working together for the greater good.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In this special episode, we visit with Darryl Lilly, Pro-loader at Lowe's in Topeka, Kansas, who shares his remarkable journey from being a drug dealer and addict to finding a new life of service and hope. Join us as he shares about his experience at TRM, his participation in the Servants in Training program and Career Readiness and Education Program, and how his love for serving customers has made him a valued employee at Lowe's.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Listen in as we visit with Marcus Molinar, Director of Facilities and Security, and Ron Burton, Assistant Director of Facilities & Security, about their personal journeys to working at TRM, the importance of balancing care for the physical spaces of TRM and the people within, and the reminder to never give up and to always extend love and support to those around us.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In this episode we visit with Mayor Mike Padilla and City Manager Steve Wade, about how TRM and the City of Topeka have turned a corner in partnering together to figure out the best ways to help those experiencing homelessness, reminding us that when one person suffers, we all bear the burden.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
See people through the eyes of Jesus, with the lens of Trauma.
In this episode we visit with our Trauma Education & Development (TED) team, Kourtney Barr and Kodee Christensen, about understanding how trauma effects the brain, recognizing the injuries of trauma to be able to work on healing, and developing that healing through long-term relationships.
To learn more about our TED team, Click Here!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Join us in this exciting episode as we sit down with the Honorable Penny Moylan, District Judge for Shawnee County, and delve into her journey as the recently appointed TRM Board President. We'll explore how she got her start on the board and hear about her dynamic relationship with La Manda, as they work together to enhance the transformative work of TRM Ministries.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, leader, and above all else, a true man of God! In this episode, we take time to remember Pastor Hal Smith, former board president of the Topeka Rescue Mission, who recently passed away. Hear from Hal, in his own words, from an episode of the podcast we just happened to have pre-recorded on the same day he would later have a heart attack. Hal held on a few more days, of course using that time to minister to others! Join us as we celebrate the life of a good and faithful servant.
Hal Smith (1937-2023)
We can't thank our volunteers enough for the amazing impact they have at TRM!
To celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week, we visit with 2 of those volunteers, Cindy Glenn and Nancy Lacore.
Hear how they first got connected at TRM, the many ways that they have helped out, and their continued passion to partner with us to bring help and hope to those in need.
If you are interested in volunteering, click here: www.trmonline.org/volunteer
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this episode, Barry and La Manda are joined by their special friends and fellow employees at TRM, Scott and Kristina Bryant. They discuss how they each came to TRM as guests, how they met and eventually got married, and how their shared joy is now reflected in their work at TRM as they help others.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with Dr. Jarrett Romine of Romine Family Dental about his desire to use his talents to help those in need and how he followed the Lord's leading to get connected with TRM.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In this episode, Barry, La Manda, and Miriam visit with Brian Blevins and Leo Hope, Breakthrough House's Executive Director and Director of Clubhouse, about what services Breakthrough House offers, how they help our community, and how they stepped up in a big way to help during the December winter cold snap to help save lives.
To learn more about Breakthrough House, Click Here!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
"I wanted to live because God had a plan for me."
In this incredible episode, La Manda and Miriam visit with John Cantrell, professional boxer, about his story of trying to fill the void in his life with drugs and alcohol, how that void would remain unsatisfied until it was filled with God, and how his identity in Christ is what defines him now.
From attempted suicide, to Kansas & Missouri Heavyweight Champion, listen in to the story of The Iron Man!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with Topeka City Manager, Steve Wade, and Topeka Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Kristin Moorhead, about the city's efforts to assist with the warming center back in December, their passion to make a difference in the community, and what it looks like for a local government, TRM, and other organizations to partner together.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this amazing episode, we visit with Sgt. Matt Rose, Topeka Police Department Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor, about his love for working with our unsheltered community, desire to build relationships and trust to be able to best help them, and the incredible impact of the City ID Program!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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"I did accept Jesus into my life, and that was really when the world turned to color."
In this incredible episode, we visit with Jacob and Megan Harmon about their journey and testimony. From Jacob experiencing addiction and homelessness, to how they met, and how now they are giving back to the community.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Join Barry, La Manda, and Miriam as they take a journey through the TRM annual report to celebrate how our staff, generous donors, volunteers, and prayer warriors are powering life-changing work for people in need in the Topeka community.
Click Here for our Annual Report infographic.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
The Kingdom of God is so much bigger than any church.
In this episode, we visit with Lead Pastor of Grace Point Church, Tim Hughes, about the church's goal to partner with other ministries, how there are different types of giving, and his desire to grow the Kingdom of God.
To learn more about Grace Point, Click Here!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
We can only plant seeds of love, God reaps the harvest.
In this episode we visit with TRM Chaplains, Shampayne Lloyd & Mike Foster, about the Chaplain ministry at TRM, how it works to provide spiritual unity for our staff, and provide practical hope to those we serve.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
In this amazing interview, we visit with Derek, one of our friends currently experiencing homelessness. Hear his story of how he got to where he is, his heart to help others, and how we are all really the same!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In this incredible podcast, Rachel Holthaus shares her story of going from feeling convinced that "the world was better without her," to a story of love, hope, and transformation. Also, hear about her passion for turning pain into purpose, and what it means to be a "Hope Dealer."
To learn more about Rachel, visit rachelthehopedealer.com
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
It's National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. In this episode we take the opportunity to look back at how TRM began its journey into understanding what human trafficking looks like, discovering its deep impact on our community, and developing initiatives to combat it.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Get ready to be inspired! In this episode, Barry and La Manda join our three incredible Deputy Directors of TRM: Christian Stringfellow, James Chiselom, and Miriam Krehbiel! They will be revealing the impactful ways they have seen God move over the past year and how their teams were apart of it. Hear what made 2022 special to them, plus their prayers for 2023 - it's sure to give you a lift!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Reflecting on 2022, Barry, La Manda, and Miriam look back at the transition of Executive Directorship from Barry to La Manda, our strong and growing connection to Citygate Network, incredible partnerships with local agencies, and the expanded efforts of the Mission to reach the unsheltered.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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God guides every step of the way. Listen in as Barry and Miriam reflect on last week's arctic temperatures, how they posed a serious threat to our unsheltered neighbors, and how TRM staff, volunteers, and an incredible community of partners banded together in an amazing effort to keep those neighbors warm and safe.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
To support TRM, Click Here!
Combating feelings of "I'm not deserving..."
In this episode we visit with Misty Bosch-Hastings, Director of Guest Support, about her efforts to help the homeless before coming to work at TRM, the work of housing to change peoples futures, and the battle of helping people understand that they are worthy of good things.
Also listen in as we discuss the impending severe weather and how we are preparing.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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"Money didn't matter, only souls mattered to me."
In this incredible episode we visit with Max Manning, founder of Global Missions Ministries and one of the original founders of the Topeka Rescue Mission, about his story of finding Jesus, his life's work ministering in 64 nations over more than 50 years, and his prophecy about the devastating Topeka tornado of 1966.
To help with our Christmas needs for our guests, shop our Amazon wish list: https://a.co/g0lmLZs
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We can't do better, until we know better.
Listen in as we visit with Kodee Christensen, Trauma Education and Development Assistant. She shares about how God's change in plans led to her working at TRM, how the TED team works to train and care for our staff & guests, and how knowledge is power, (but is only as good as how it is used.)
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To celebrate the milestone of our 150th episode, we're taking a journey through 10 standout moments from the past 3 years that had us reflecting on life's highs and lows while bringing help and hope to everyone. We've got exclusive interviews with community leaders, TRM staff, and other special guests ready for you!
You are the reason we've made it this far...thank you for listening!
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Helping people understand the reality of the lived experiences of those in need!
In this episode, we visit with Marissa Dake, former Director of Operation Food Secure and current Vice President of Brand & People for DNO Produce, about her time here at TRM overseeing Operation Food Secure and the relationships that came from it, as well as how that has followed over in her current work.
Also, hear about blackfridaytopeka.com, making giving fun and easy!
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Loving people right where they are.
In this episode, we reflect on this special season and what we are thankful for. We discuss how we are preparing to bless people for the holidays, and how you, our amazing community, can help us make that happen!
For our Christmas Need list, Click Here: www.trmonline.org/needslist
For our Amazon List, Click Here: https://a.co/fIoVLhH
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God loves people more than anything!
In this episode we visit with Doug Burleigh and Doug Hinkle. Barry reflects on Doug Hinkle’s friendship and connection with Dough Burleigh, and discusses with Burleigh about his recent visit to Ukraine to visit with government leaders with the ultimate goal of sharing the love of Jesus!
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What does winter look like on the streets?
Listen in as we visit with Haleigh Hipsher, Outreach Advocate, and Holton Witman, Director of Distribution Services, about what it takes to serve our unsheltered neighbors during the winter, the isolation and difficulty that come with it, and the effort to build relationships to bring lasting change.
Also, hear about the recent Shinkle Stutzman Park dedication and the continuing efforts to prepare for Christmas! For our Christmas needs list, click here: https://www.trmonline.org/needslist
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The impact of working together!
In this episode, we visit with United Way of Greater Topeka's Jessica Lehnherr, CEO, and Brett Martin, VP of Community Impact, about their recent merger with United Way of Douglas County to become United Way of Kaw Valley, their efforts to advocate and create systems for the betterment of the community, and their work to to bring hope during the holidays called "The Christmas Bureau."
To learn more about The United Way or to sign up for the Christmas Bureau, visit: unitedwaytopeka.org or call 211.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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Networking for the safety of the city!
Listen in as we visit with Topeka Police Chief, Bryan Wheeles, and Topeka Fire Chief, Randy Phillips, about their combined efforts to make Topeka a safer city, the importance of collaboration, and how we as a community can work together to create preventative safety.
Click Here to check out our Christmas needs list and help us prepare to bless those in need during the Holidays!
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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We don't have to understand, we just have to love.
In this episode we visit with Rachel Flenniken, newly promoted Hope Center Director, and Madi Willis, TRM Intern, about their work at the Hope Center. Learn about Rachel's recent transition to her new position as director and how her story helps her love the one in front of her, and hear why Madi chose TRM for her internship, as well as her passion for education and working with families!
Also, hear about the continuing efforts in preparing for the Holiday season!
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Experiencing rough seasons and leaning into God to work through them!
In this episode we visit with TRM's new Director of Strategic Development & Marketing, Scott May, to hear his story of his work experience leading up to his coming to TRM, how he and his wife went from 0 to 4 kids overnight, and dealing with the difficulties of life.
Also, hear about the continuing work building up to Christmas, as well as current open positions at TRM and what some of the staff have to say about working here!
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Meeting daily medical needs and holding hands.
In this episode we visit with Sharon Meisner, a registered nurse who has been volunteering as the director of the TRM Clinic for the past 31 years! Hear her share about her passion to not only help provide physical healing, but also hope for those going through their toughest times.
Also in this episode, hear about Fellowship Bible Church's Alpha Classes provided to our guests, our TED (Trauma Education & Development) Team, and the importance of continuing staff development here at TRM.
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Part 2! Join us in this episode for the continuation of the discussion on the new community initiative, Compassion Strategies; addressing the growing homeless concerns in our community and nation.
In the episode, Barry expands on the exciting "Every Name a Home" partnership, and La Manda shares TRM's role with Compassion Strategies and Every Name a Home, and how this will not only benefit those experiencing homeless, but the community as a whole.
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Join us today for an interview with Barry Feaker, former TRM Executive Director, regarding a new community initiative, Compassion Strategies, addressing the growing homeless concerns in our community and nation.
Compassion means coming alongside and suffering WITH our neighbors!
In the first part of this discussion, hear about the gaps that we have seen in combating poverty, understanding that "one size doesn't fit all" when it comes to fixes, and the development of a systematic approach to compassionately provide solutions for lasting change.
Stay tuned next week for part 2 of our discussion where La Manda Broyles, current TRM Executive Director, lends her support for Compassion Strategies and explains TRM's role in the partnership.
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Serving 25 years with the Shawnee County Sheriffs Department, striving to make decisions of faith, not fear, and having a heart for the "Invisible People."
Hear this and more as we visit with our special guest, and TRM board member, John Ostenson!
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From providing health services through an incredible mobile clinic to creating meaningful community through long-term relationships! Hear all this and more as we visit with Karla Hedquist, Stormont Vail Health Director of Community Health Engagement, and Jenny Falk, TRM's Director of Homeless Outreach and MAP!
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Compassionately caring for our guests from day one; seeing where they are and being a part of where they are going next!
In this episode we visit with Misty Bosch-Hastings, Director of Guest Support, and Jill Schmidt, Guest Services Case Manager, about their work to care for our guests in many ways and the relationships that it takes for success.
Also, hear Jill's journey to TRM and how she cares for those she serves!
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Finding Joy through difficulty, watching God provide in miraculous ways, and how you, our donors and supporters, are making a huge difference!
Hear all this and more as we visit with Holton Witman, Director of Distribution Services, and Mike Schoettle, Assistant Director of Distribution Services, about the incredible need in our community for not only resources, but connection and hope!
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From 34 years at the Topeka Police Department to Mayor of Topeka!
Listen in as we visit with Mayor Mike Padilla about his long career of being an agent for change in his hometown community of Topeka, his love for meeting and engaging with people, and desire for people to work together to make a great community.
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Starting as an intern, celebrating guest's victories (whether big or small), and processing information to make decisions on difficult situations.
Hear all this and more as we visit with John Roberts, Director of Men's Shelter Services, about his journey to working at TRM!
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What does it mean to be a light bearer?
In this episode we visit with Pastor Timm Collins of Capital City Church, about desiring to "live in the land and cultivate faithfulness" (Psalm 37) where God has placed him in North Topeka, seeing that there is need everywhere, and being a light-bearer when it seems the darkest.
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Faith in practice on the front lines!
Listen in as we visit with Deb Peterson, Main Shelter Front Desk Staff, to hear some of her touching stories from working at the Front Desk, what keeps her coming back every day, and how she sees the potential in everyone who comes through the TRM Shelter doors.
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Have you ever felt alone? Felt like you were the only one facing challenges?
In this episode, La Manda Broyles and Miriam Krehbiel share about their recent trip to the Citygate Network conference. Hear about how they were encouraged through relationships with other Missions, what they were able to learn and share about the work at TRM, as well as the importance of creating bridges with partners to address our work.
To learn more about Citygate Network: Click Here!
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Have you heard of TRM's new Hospitality Training Center? Listen as we visit with Chef Sean Hall, Deputy Director of Culinary Arts & Services, about his passion for helping train people in new skills in the culinary arts, the work it has taken to create the program, as well as how food is an unbiased opportunity!
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One team, one fight!
Listen as we visit with Sheriff Brian Hill about his extensive career as a police officer, including homeless undercover work, his life threatening encounter, as well as the importance of agencies working together to create a safer community!
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Wrap around services to those experiencing homelessness!
Jenny Falk, Director of Homeless Outreach & MAP (Mobile Access Partnership), shares about all the amazing services provided through MAP, how those services are taken out to those in need, but more importantly how those services provide a bridge to build critical relationships to provide healing!
Join us this Friday, June 10th, from 8-10am at the Stormont Vail Event Center East Parking Lot for the MAP One Year Anniversary Celebration! Trailer tours, live music, raffle prizes, and more!
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"What can I do for that person today?"
From being the homeless grant guru to becoming TRM's Deputy Director of Community Needs & Services, hear about how James got started at TRM, his new position overseeing the Distribution Center, Street Reach, MAP, and Restore Hope, and his desire to help people where they are at!
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You've heard her voice on the podcast regularly, now dive into what Miriam Krehbiel's role as Deputy Director of Supportive Services really means! Hear about all of the amazing teams she overseas and the critical work that they do mostly behind the scenes, as well as the importance of every gift you (Our awesome listeners!) give, whether that be prayer, time, or resources! Every piece is critical, and the work cannot be done without our Supportive Services!
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Not just a drive through district! Hear from Tom Underwood, Executive Director of NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, and Pedro Concepcion, NOTO Board member and Owner of K.I.T. Solutions, about their devotion to affect change in North Topeka for it to be a place people desire to visit and live, as well as the importance of understanding it's not "us vs. them" so that we can all come together to make our community a better place!
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It's so easy, yet so complicated!
Listen as we visit with Misty Bosch-Hastings, Director of Guest Services, about her new role unifying the different services that TRM offers to our guests, how housing is important, but relationship makes it last, and what is needed to make that happen!
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"I want to leave it better than I found it."
Listen in as Special guest, TPD Chief of Police Bryan Wheeles, shares his work experience leading up to him becoming Chief of Police, his desire to grow his perspective through critical conversations, and the amazing partnerships in the Topeka community!
Also, hear about the special surprise Chief Wheeles had for Barry!
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Describing trends and differences of those experiencing homelessness? What are up and coming issues that are being faced as we seek to best help those who come to our shelters? Listen as we discuss these questions with our new Deputy Director of Homeless Services, Christian Stringfellow, and hear his heart to help everyone who comes to TRM know that they are made in the Image of God!
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Important conversations at McDonald's, behind the scenes stories of how the Men's shelter was built, and the continued miracles and provisions of God. Hear all this and more in today's episode with special guest and former TRM board member, Ron Lutz!
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"Bring hope & never give up on anybody, ever!"
In the concluding episode of this series, Barry shares his gratitude for those who have poured into the Mission over the last 36 years, gives advice to La Manda as she prepares to take on the role of Executive Director, and reflects on his greatest joys and opportunities seeing God move, as well as his excitement for the future of TRM!
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Lessons Learned! Part 3 of this series Barry reflects on lessons he has learned over the years, even as recently as last night while being part of the team intervening with a very sick man living in a tent. He speaks to how every individual we serve is a person, NOT a label or a number. Hear how La Manda is experiencing the learning curve of leading the Mission and experiencing joy in the hardship, as well as working to find that joy together with staff, volunteers, and those we serve!
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Everybody deserves somebody! Lynn Johnson served as the Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children & Families at the Department of Health & Human Services, and now oversees her own non-profit, All In Fostering Futures. In this episode, hear her heart for giving proper care and resources to youth who have aged out of the foster care system, as well as the importance of the Church coming out of the four walls to be a community who loves and serves.
To learn more about All In Fostering Futures, visit: allinfosteringfutures.org
Revisiting the past! In part 2 of this series, Barry reflects on the unchanging heart of the Board of Directors from when he first started 36 years ago, and what the 4 "P's" of a great Board are. Hear what Barry has learned from failure and the importance of waiting before reacting, and learn what the greatest piece of advice he has gained over the years.
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Past, present, and future! Dive into the first part of this new series, hearing some of the miraculous stories from Barry's early years as TRM's Executive Director, learning about our current endeavors to bring hope to those in need, and discovering what's on the horizon for La Manda and her desire to help our guests, staff, volunteers and supporters know that they matter!
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In this episode, Miriam Krehbiel, Senior Director of Supportive Services, interviews Barry and La Manda about the recent announcement of Barry passing the torch of Executive Director to La Manda, God's guidance that led to this time of transition, and the importance of following where the Lord leads.
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In this episode, we visit with Kay Ireland, Director of Distribution Services, and Mike Schoettle, Assistant Director of Distribution Services, about how their team serves the community, the importance of building relationships, and how your donation can help change the trajectory of someone's future.
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In this episode, we visit with Reden & Dina Jalosjos, about their journey from the Philippines to Topeka, their growing construction and property management business, and their desire to bless those in need by providing affordable housing.
To get in contact with Reden, call: 816-718-4936 or email: redenconstruction@gmail.com
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In this episode, Barry, La Manda, Miriam, and Kaillee, discuss the importance of caring for our employees and volunteers, what that looks like in different capacities, and ways of building joy and comradery in what can be a difficult job.
Also, hear about how our Outreach Team is helping our unsheltered friends prepare for the upcoming winter blast.
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In this episode we visit with Shawnee County District Attorney, Mike Kagay, about what led him to become a prosecutor, his desire to help preserve innocence, as well as his heart for the most vulnerable.
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In this episode, we visit with Doug Hinkle and Doug Burleigh about their work with important leaders across the globe and the importance of relational, not transactional, connection!
Jesus Changes Everything - by Doug Burleigh
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In this episode, we visit with Terry Hund, Senior Director of Human Trafficking Intervention, and Rachel Flenniken, Human Trafficking Interventions Strategic Development Coordinator, about how they work to help victims of human trafficking know that they are created in the image of God. Also, hear some of Rachel's own story of coming out of trafficking and how God is using her to help others!
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In this episode, Barry, La Manda, and Miriam take a look back at the challenges and successes of 2021 while also looking forward to the future for 2022!
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In this episode, we visit with Chris Wagner, Topeka Public Schools Child Nutrition Specialist, about his heart to make sure kids don't go hungry and his faith that leads him. As well as visit with a very special Holiday guest that he knows well!
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In this episode we visit with Christian Stringfellow, Director of Men's Services, and Debra Sabb, Director of Hope Center, to take a behind the scenes look at TRM's Shelter Services, hear some of the difficult decisions that have to be made, as well as the greatest joys that come from the work being done.
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In this episode, we visit with Topeka Public School's Director of Instructional Services and TRM Board Member, Dr. Aarion Gray, to hear about his extensive background in education, his work with the TRM board, and his heart in wanting people to know that they matter!
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In this episode, we visit with Kim Williams-Gaston, Valeo Behavioral Health Care's HOPE Team Leader, and Jenny Falk, Senior Director of Homeless Outreach & Director of MAP Operations, about stories from outreaching the homeless, the value of knowing people by name, and the difference collaboration makes in reaching those in need!
To learn more about Valeo, Click Here!
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In this episode, we visit with Erika McNeill, Engagement Coordinator for Envista Credit Union, about the Envista Cares Challenge, how it helps organizations in the community, and the importance of knowing others are there to provide support in the work being done.
TRM will be featured on the Envista Cares Challenge in December 2021. Visit envistacares.com to learn more!
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In this episode, we visit with our friends from United Way, Jessica Lehnherr (CEO) and Brett Martin (Vice President of Community Impact) about what the Christmas Bureau is, how it helps families in need for the holidays, and how those opportunities can be a catalyst to something bigger.
To learn more about United Way, Click Here!
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In our 100th episode, we visit with TRM's new Assistant Director of Street Reach, Holton Witman, about his journey leading up to working at TRM and his continued desire to serve the homeless.
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In this episode, we visit with two of our Facilities & Security staff, Keegen Funnell & Marcus Molinar, about their critical work that keeps the Mission operating, their stories that brought them here, and the joy that they bring everyday.
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In this episode, we visit with Matt Baldwin from Valeo Behavioral Health Care, and Dr. Allison Crow, volunteer veterinarian, about their work caring for our unsheltered friend's pets, their partnership with Street Dog Coalition, and how pet care can lead to deeper trust to get the unsheltered the help they need.
To learn more about Street Dog Coalition and donate: Click Here!
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In this episode we visit with Brian Chandler and Dan Nordblad from Seattle's Union Gospel Mission about their research project of other missions across America, why they picked TRM, and how the Love of Jesus is what motivates us all to do what we do.
To learn more about Seattle Union Gospel Mission, Click Here!
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In this episode we visit with Marissa Dake and Kourtney Barr about their amazing opportunity to take what we learned through Operation Food Secure and share its impact on our community to those on The Hill.
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In this episode, we visit with Mike Rinehart, Treasurer of the TRM Board of Directors, about his story and heart in coming on the TRM board, as well as his desire to seek where the Lord is leading to be good stewards with what has been provided for TRM.
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In this episode, we visit with Tim Hughes, Lead Pastor of Grace Point Church, about their involvement with TRM and the Mobile Access Partnership Program, their work serving alongside other organizations to make an impact in the community, and their desire to share the Love of Christ with everyone!
To learn more about Grace Point Church, Click Here!
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In this episode, we visit with Chef Sean Hall and Chef Sally Herrera from the TRM Food Services Program to learn about the art of culinary arts and how food can be a wonderful vehicle to gaining common ground with people.
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In this episode we visit with Mark DeGroff (Director of Street Reach), Haleigh Hipsher (Asst. Director of Street Reach), and Jenny Falk (Executive Assistant), about their work with Street Reach and Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) to go the extra mile to love on everyone and let them know that they are worth it.
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In this episode, we visit with Josh Turley, TRM Creative Communications Director, the man behind the scenes making things happen. Hear about his heart for the Mission and telling its story through a creative lens.
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In this episode we visit with Chris Palmer, Cornerstone Executive Director, and Dora Coronel, Cornerstone Housing/Property Manager, about their work providing affordable and transitional housing, bringing value to neighborhoods, and the value of building relationships to help people along their journey.
To learn more about Cornerstone of Topeka, visit: cornerstoneoftopeka.org
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In this episode, we visit with Sharisse Verser, Assistant Director of the Hope Center, about her reason for serving those in need, a particularly special instance working with a guest, and how she sees God move in brokenness. You'll want to listen to the end for a special blessing!
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In this episode, we visit with Chris Stewart, Director of The Bridge of Topeka, about the purpose of The Bridge and how it got started, the importance of building deeper relationships with kids in the community, and their exciting new mentor program "Life Buddies."
To learn more about The Bridge, Click Here!
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In this episode, we visit with Kevin Swift, TRM Board Member and Realtor with Realty Professionals of Topeka, about his nearly 30 years experience as a realtor, thoughts on the current housing market, his passion for studying scripture, and work on the TRM Board of Directors.
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In this episode, we visit with Dr. Tiffany Anderson, Topeka USD 501 Superintendent, about her work as Superintendent in Jennings, MO, her continued work in Topeka, and the importance of helping people know they matter; sometimes without even speaking.
To get involved at TRM Ministries, contact Kim Turley at kturley@trmonline.org or call 785-730-8856.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In this episode, we visit with Terry Hund, Senior Director of Education & Human Trafficking Intervention, and Kourtney Barr, Operation Food Secure Program Manager, about what Trauma is, how it impacts the development of the brain, and how we are learning to implement TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention) to build relationships with those in need.
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In this episode, we visit with former TRM Board Member and now Director of Ministry Operations, LaManda Broyles, about her work as a Special Education Teacher and Principal for 501 School District, her and her husband's work with Foster the Cause, and her desire to follow whatever work God calls her to!
To get involved at TRM Ministries, contact Kim Turley at kturley@trmonline.org or call 785-730-8856.
To learn more about TRM Ministries: Click Here!
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In this episode, we visit with TRM Chaplain, Shampayne Lloyd, about her experiences and education that has led to her current position, her desire to be a bridge for people to find Christ, and how forgiveness is not a suggestion.
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In this episode, we visit with the Director of Human Trafficking & Outreach for the Attorney General's Office for the State of Kansas, Jennifer Montgomery, to talk about her anti-human trafficking efforts, her experiences that led to her current position, and her work in Africa through the Peace Initiative! We also discuss the question of "where is God in all the pain?"
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In this episode, we visit with Chief of Staff for the City of Topeka, Bill Cochran, about his 34 years of experience on the police force, his work as Chief of Police to continually evolve the department, and discussing the importance of being an influence on the fiber of the community.
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In this episode, we visit with Marissa Dake and Kourtney Barr from TRM's Operation Food Secure Program, about how OFS started, what is has evolved into today, and some of the incredible stories of neighbors helping neighbors!
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In this episode we visit with Mark DeGroff, TRM Director of Street Reach, and Matt Baldwin with Valeo Hope Connections, about their work together to minister to the unsheltered homeless and the partnerships it takes throughout the community to bring help and hope to those in need!
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In today's episode, we visit with Penny Moylan, District Judge for Shawnee County and Vice President of the TRM Board of Directors, about her journey to becoming a District Judge and how her faith defines her work and her desire to help people.
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In this episode, we visit with TRM Housing Stabilization Supervisor, Misty Bosch-Hastings, to hear her story about why she cares for the homeless, her work in housing those who were living in "Tent City" and how she came to work at TRM.
If you would like to get involved with MAP, contact Kim Turley at 785-730-8856 or email kturley@trmonline.org.
To learn more about TRM or to support its programs, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with the CEO of Valeo, Bill Persinger, about what the MAP (Mobile Access Partnership) program is, the partnership it has taken to develop it, and its purpose to meet people where they are at!
If you would like to get involved with MAP, contact Kim Turley at 785-730-8856 or email kturley@trmonline.org.
To learn more about TRM or to support its programs, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with our first ever guest to the podcast, Trey George, President/CEO of Topeka Housing Authority, about the amazing work THA continues to do to help those in need, and the importance of an incredible community!
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In this episode we visit with TRM Director of Facilities & Security, Steve Stutzman, about his role at TRM, his near-death experience in a plane crash, as well as not letting our circumstances define how we live.
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In this episode, Miriam and Kim ask Barry questions relating to the concerns raised about TRM in an editorial in a local publication.
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In today's episode, we visit with Carrie Higgins and Stephanie Carrillo of Impact Avenues to learn about their work with homeless children to keep them in school, get them the right tools and resources, and help their families succeed!
If you would like to get involved with Impact Avenues, contact Carrie at 785-368-3711 or email chiggins@topeka.org. Contact Stephanie at 785-368-4461 or email scarrillo@topeka.org.
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In this episode, we visit with Operation Food Secure (OFS) volunteers, Jolene Bickel and Michael Langfitt, about their work in helping organize and distribute food for OFS and what it means to them to serve their community.
To volunteer at TRM, call (785) 730-8856 or email kturley@trmonline.org
To learn more about TRM Ministries, Click Here!
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In this episode, we visit with Kenny Ball to hear his story of coming out of addiction and homelessness, Jesus moving in his life, and his work at the Mission to serve those who have similar stories.
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In this episode, we visit with Karla Hedquist, Director of Community Health Engagement at Stormont Vail, about some of the root causes of health issues within the community, as well as educating the public on these root causes and how to respond.
To volunteer at TRM, call (785) 730-8856 or email kturley@trmonline.org
To learn more about TRM Ministries, Click Here!
To support the work of TRM Ministries, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with Sgt. Josh Klamm of the Topeka Police Department and Mark DeGroff, Director of Street Reach, about their incredible collaborative efforts to help the unsheltered homeless and hear more of Sgt. Klamm's heart to help the broken.
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In this episode, we visit with Mike Foster, Director of Homeless Services, and Kim Scharrer, Guest Management Team Leader & Director of COVID Response Quarantine & Isolation, about how we adapted to the threat of a global pandemic around this time last year and how we are continuing to adapt even now.
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In today's episode we visit with TRM Street Reach Director, Mark DeGroff, about his work to outreach the unsheltered homeless in the frigid arctic weather. An inside look into the lives of the unsheltered homeless.
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In this episode, we visit with TRM Senior Director of Education and Restore Hope, Terry Hund, about her work with guest education services, intern program, and Restore Hope (TRM human trafficking ministry).
Also hear about our upcoming project involving the Hope Center!
To learn more about TRM Ministries, Click Here!
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In today's episode, we visit with TRM Board President, Hal Smith, and hear about his history with Topeka Rescue Mission, and the importance of trusting God in difficult times and walking along side those who are going through those times.
Want to volunteer? Call: (785) 730-8856
To learn more about TRM Ministries, Click Here!
To donate to TRM, Click Here!
In this episode we visit with Manny Herron, CEO at Infinite Properties Group and Owner/Managing Partner at Haus Property Partners, about his desire to serve the community, the work of Jesus in his life, and grace in the eye of the storm.
Manny Herron: manny@hauspropertypartners.com
To learn more about TRM Ministries, Click Here!
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In this episode we visit with Chef Sean Hall about his partnership with Operation Food Secure, his culinary background and his new position and vision as Director of Food Services at TRM!
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In this episode, Barry and Miriam visit with TRM Rapid Rehousing Program Director, Dawn Mikulski, about her internship with TRM, how that turned into directing the Rapid Rehousing program and what the program does!
For more information about TRM Ministries, Click Here!
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In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss the things we learned in 2020 and how we can apply those things going into 2021.
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In this episode, Barry, Miriam & Kim visit with the Distribution Center Receiving Manager, Mike Schoettle, about how your donations are used to truly bless others and the importance of paying it forward!
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In this episode, Barry and Miriam have a conversation with Trauma Intervention team members Kaillee and Leah about what the Trauma team is, their help with Christmas activities and the importance of spreading joy!
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In this episode Barry, Miriam and Kim visit with TRM Street Reach Director, Mark DeGroff, about current updates, what 2021 holds, and Mark's heart for helping the unsheltered homeless!
To learn more about TRM Ministries, Click Here!
To donate to TRM Ministries, Click Here!
In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim visit with Debra Sabb, Hope Center Director, about how she started working at TRM, what she's experienced working here over 20 years, and what the Lord requires of us.
To learn more about TRM, Click Here!
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In this episode Barry Feaker and Kim Turley visit with Marissa Dake (Director of Operation Food Secure) and Kourtney Reber (OFS Ministry Coordinator) about Mike Shinkle and the impact he had on our lives.
In this episode, we visit with Barbara Waterman-Peters , Staci Dawn Ogle, and Mike Foster (Board Chair) about their work with the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District, what it has taken to turn North Topeka around in the last 10 years, and its involvement with TRM.
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In this episode, Barry gives an update remotely on how TRM is responding to COVID and how to stay strong in our call to help those in need despite challenging times.
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In this episode Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss this historic election day, the events of the year surrounding it, and the true hope that we can find in the insane love of God!
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In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss ways to help the the one in need in front of you and say "Not in our Community!" to the issues that we face.
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In this episode we visit, with Harvesters COO, Steve Davis, about the growing issue of food insecurity, planning to meet those needs and the partnerships that it takes.
To learn more about Harvesters, visit harvesters.org
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To support TRM financially, Click Here!
In this episode we visit with TRM Executive Assistant, Jenny Falk, to hear her story of how she came to work at TRM, her missions work in Africa, and finding true purpose.
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Do you have a topic you would like us to discuss or hear more about?
Email your requests to: trm@trmonline.org
In this episode, we visit with Mike Foster, TRM Senior Director of Homeless Services, about what it means to shelter the homeless every night, make tough decisions to keep people safe, and adapt in the ever changing world of the current pandemic.
To support TRM Ministries, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with TRM's Director of Street Reach, Mark DeGroff, about outreaching to the unsheltered homeless and the perseverance it takes to make lasting connections to help those in need.
To support TRM Ministries, Click Here.
In this episode, Barry and Miriam talk with United Way of Greater Topeka CEO, Jessica Lehnherr, and VP of Community Impact, Brett Martin about the importance of partnerships and coming together to support the community during difficult times.
To learn more about United Way of Greater Topeka, Click Here.
To support TRM Ministries, Click Here.
In this episode, Barry and Miriam visit with TRM Senior Director of Education & Human Trafficking Interventions, Terry Hund, and TRM Intern, Dawn Mikulski, about our Intern Program and what drew Dawn to TRM.
To support TRM Ministries, Click Here!
In this episode, we visit with Lewis Keeling, a site captain and volunteer for Operation Food Secure, to hear his heart for serving and taking food to neighborhoods to help in distributing over a million meals through OFS.
To learn more about Operation Food Secure, or to get involved, Click Here.
To support TRM Ministries, Click Here.
In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss the recent article from CJ Online, titled "350,000-plus Kansans at risk of eviction from job loss" (Found here: https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200831/350000-plus-kansans-at-risk-of-eviction-from-job-loss), the possible collapse of a "house of cards," and how the community must come together to support each other during this time.
To support TRM Ministries, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
Join us this week as we dive deeper into Frank's story and his journey of trauma and forgiveness!
This week we talk with Frank Votaw about his heart for helping the community and his story of overcoming tragedy.
Join us next week for Part 2 of Frank's story!
Join us as we visit with Manny Herron and hear his story of God's redemption in his life.
To support TRM Ministries, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode we take some time to answer a few recently asked questions about TRM, like: What is going on with the Children's Palace? What about warehouse sales? And other questions.
If you would like to ask a question, email trm@trmonline.org
To support TRM Ministries, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode we take a deep dive into 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 and what it looks like to show true compassion in a world looking for comfort.
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In this episode, we visit with TRM Trauma Team Coordinator, Pat Mahoney, about her work as a teacher with Topeka Public Schools and her transition from working in the TRM 501 program room, to the Children's Palace, and to the Trauma Team Coordinator. We also discuss her heart as a teacher and seeing children as God sees them.
To support TRM Ministries, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss the current state of the country, the fear that can surround it, and the Perfect Love that can remove all fear!
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode Barry and Miriam visit with TRM Director of Food Services, Mike Shinkle, about his experiences of working for the Mission for almost 20 years, his roll in Operation Food Secure and his heart for making everyone feel like they matter.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode Barry, Miriam and Kim, visit with Marissa Dake, TRM Director of Operation Food Secure, about the "Why" of Operation Food Secure and how now, more than ever, we need neighbors helping neighbors.
To support TRM Ministries in this effort, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry, Miriam, and Kim discuss hunger and food shortage in the community and upcoming ways that neighbors can help neighbors.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry and Miriam visit with Topeka leaders, SJ Hazim and Manny Herron, about current race relations, the heart of it all, and steps we can take to make a difference.
In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss the protests surrounding the tragic murder of George Floyd and how we can be a light in a time of great darkness.
In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss some of the interrupted plans and dreams that we face in the ever-changing world of COVID-19, we look at Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." and also discuss what it can look like to overcome a sick heart.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss the difficulties of the unknown in the current circumstances we are facing, as well as the hope we can have in the one true guide.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss the uncertainty of the world around us, how the community comes together to help those in need and where our certainty lies.
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In this episode, Barry, Miriam, and Kim discuss current updates from TRM, continued blessings from the community, and hope for times of uncertainty.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
Check out our Amazon wish list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/O6BQ8QXTPLGA/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
In this episode, Barry and Miriam visit with Terry Hund, TRM Senior Director of Education and Human Trafficking Intervention about continued changes to adapt to COVID-19 and how the pandemic affects those in vulnerable situations.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry, Miriam and Kim discuss the continuing changes to adjust to Covid-19, incredible community partnerships, and the first day that Barry started working at the Topeka Rescue Mission.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry, Miriam, and Kim discuss further changes that are affecting TRM and how guests, volunteers and staff are coming together as a community to combat Covid-19.
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, we discuss the the constant changes TRM is going through, the amazing response for volunteers, and celebrating Easter and the hope we have in Jesus!
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To Volunteer click here: https://trmonline.org/volunteer
In this episode we visit with the Director of Community Engagement for Advisors Excel, Lindsay Freeman, about community partners coming together to help those in need. We are stronger together!
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In this episode, Barry and Kim visit with TRM Senior Director of Supportive Services, Miriam Krehbiel, about updates with "Tent City" and how TRM continues to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic.
To Support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry and Kim visit with TRM Senior Director of Supportive Services, Miriam Krehbiel, to discuss how TRM is taking steps to deal with COVID-19.
For more information on TRM's response, click here: https://trmonline.org/news-stories/feature-articles/118-covid-19-response
To support TRM Ministries click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry and Kim discuss the topic or forgiveness!
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This episode, Barry and Kim discuss how TRM works diligently to keep health a priority for staff, guests and volunteers.
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In this episode, Barry and Kim discuss homelessness through the eyes of our littlest guest and what every parent really wants for their children.
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In this episode, Barry and Kim discuss the recent events surrounding "Tent City."
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In this episode, Barry & Kim discuss Valentine's Day and what it looks like to love God, others, and yourself.
To support TRM, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
Barry and Kim chat with Distribution Center Receiving Coordinator, Mike Schoettle. How he first felt called to work at TRM and some of the amazing stories he has from working here.
To support TRM Ministries, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry and Kim visit with Director of Distribution Services, Kay Ireland, and Distribution Center Director of Operations, Stacy Brown about the impact of the donations received and how they are able to bless our guests and those in the community. Food is just the start of how we help people.
If you would like to support TRM Ministries, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode Barry and Kim discuss the complexities of working with the vulnerable and helping everyone know that they matter.
To support TRM, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry and Kim discuss the importance of community involvement and how to get involved.
If you would like to volunteer at TRM Ministries. Click here: https://trmonline.org/volunteer/volunteering-at-trm
To donate to TRM, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode Barry and Kim discuss the end of the year and Christmas season as well as exciting opportunities in the coming year.
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It's the most wonderful time of the year! But is it really? In this episode, Barry and Kim discuss what this time of year can look like for some, and what can we do to bring joy to those around us all year long?
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In this episode, we discuss the recent Homeless ordinances and what they mean.
To donate to Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries, click below:
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In this episode, Barry talks with the Senior Director of Supportive Services for TRM Ministries, Miriam Krehbiel, about what the supportive services are, Giving Tuesday, and the upcoming Threedom Topeka!
To donate to TRM Ministries, click here: https://pushpay.com/g/trmonline?src=hpp
In this episode, Barry Feaker discusses what the most terrible form or poverty is and how we combat it.
If you would like to support Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries, click below:
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This week we visit with the Chief Counsel for Freedom Now USA, Sarah Shipman, about the systematic process of attacking human trafficking in our community.
To learn more about Freedom Now USA, click below:
http://www.freedomnowusa.org/
To support Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries, click below:
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In this episode we visit with TRM Ministries Director of Street Reach, Mark DeGroff, about the unsheltered homeless in our community.
To learn how to get involved, click below:
https://trmonline.org/volunteer
Support Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries by clicking below:
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In this episode we visit with Senior Director, Jessica Hosman, about her experiences in Africa that helped shape the vision of the Children's Palace at Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries.
To support Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries, click below:
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In this episode, we talk with Topeka Rescue Mission's Director of Volunteer Service, Kim Turley, and the importance of the support of our community!
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In this episode, we visit with the President/CEO of the Topeka Housing Authority, Trey George about going beyond housing.
Support Topeka Rescue Mission by clicking the link below:
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