Barrier Breakers: Recent Episodes
United Way of Central Maryland
Be Informed. Be Inspired. Be More. • The Greater Baltimore community is filled with inspiring stories of barrier breakers who want to change the status quo. Are you ready to be informed, be inspired, and be more? Join us as we unearth stories of inspiration, change, and a passion to do good -- and learn how you can help.
From Chef Daphne, who saw something special in him, to opening his own restaurant, Chef Saon Brice has become an impactful community leader. Hear from Chef about the role of mentorship in his journey and how he has broken down barriers along the way.
If you would have asked young Saon Brice if he thought he’d become a chef, he would have laughed and said no, a cowboy. Hear how Chef went from wanting to be a cowboy to becoming a musician, chef, and mentor.
In this episode, we sat down with three women (and 2021 Changemaker Challenge grantees) who work every day to empower women to rewrite their stories. Hear from Veronica Jackson of Pivot and Angeles Evans and Diana Beeson of TurnAround, Inc. to learn how they work to drive equity, access, and opportunity for the women they serve.
To learn more about the work of our featured guests, check out their websites:
Pivot Program
TurnAround, Inc.
Workforce development, a bystander intervention program, and art therapy for cancer patients are just three of the ideas pitched at the 2021 Changemaker Challenge. We sat down with three grantees of the Changemaker Challenge, Van Brooks, Sonia Su, and Dawn Volkart, to learn more about the challenge, their experience, and advice for future applicants.
Applications for the 2024 Changemaker Challenge are open now: uwcm.org/changemakerchallenge
To learn more about the work of our featured guests, check out their websites:
Van Brooks, Safe Alternative Foundation for Education
Sonia Su, Kits to Heart
Dawn Volkart, Owls in Action
2023 has been quite the year for us at United Way of Central Maryland. Hear from two staff members about their highlights from this past year and take a look back at what we’ve done to strengthen the lives of our neighbors in Central Maryland.
During Hunger Action Month, we sat down with Leah Paley, CEO of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and Evan Lutz, Founder and CEO, of Hungry Harvest to discuss food insecurity and what their community organizations are doing to tackle the issue to support their neighbors.
Learn more:
- Anne Arundel County Food Bank
- Hungry Harvest
Everyone deals with mental health challenges differently, but often the signs of struggle can be similar. It’s important to be mindful of your mental wellness--and to check in on others who may be suffering.
Certain communities face stigmas and barriers to accessing the help they need. In this episode, we talk with Dominiece Clifton, CEO and founder of Move X Still, and Gwen Schemm, a former Division II athlete who now works at United Way. Listen and learn how you can guide your own healing journey--and help others.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- United Way 211 Helpline
- School of Healing Podcast Instagram
- School of Healing Podcast page
- Gwen Schemm's Instagram post
We launched this podcast during the pandemic to share stories in a safe way about the people we help, the United Way team, and our work to strengthen our neighbors and the neighborhoods they call home. In this episode, we share some of our “best of” moments from this series so far—and the clips that made our team even more passionate about working for United Way.
Many men and women who fought for our country face another fight when they return home. Some have a hard time finding and keeping a job and a home, or experience mental health or substance use issues—which can lead to minor law offenses. The Veterans Treatment Court, supported by United Way, supports them on their journey to a stable civilian life and helps them avoid charges that can preclude their job and housing options. In this special episode of Barrier Breakers, we speak with program staff about how this program works, and with two veterans about how the Veterans Treatment Court changed their lives.
The Way Home Project, fueled by United Way's Leaders United membership group, helps make a house a home for those who have experienced long-term homelessness. Listen to learn more about this incredible team effort and hear from project volunteers as well as Jess Leopold, Director of Housing for Health Care for the Homeless, about the meaningful and lasting impact this initiative had for them and the clients served.
Improving accessibility for people with disabilities and preparing low-income students for college are just two of the ideas pitched at prior Changemaker Challenge events. We sat down with The Horizon Foundation, and past winners of The Changemaker Challenge, Dr. Lisa Shoenbrodt and Dr. Leah Saal, to learn more about the challenge, their experience, and advice for future applicants.
Nearly a quarter of Maryland tenants were behind on their rent as of March 2021. With the coming “eviction tsunami,” what stands between them and homelessness? Join us as we chat with local leaders in housing and human services to get the latest on the current crisis and where we go from here.
Volunteers have the power to change lives—and this past year has made that abundantly clear. In this episode you'll meet Zeynep Akkan of McCormick & Company and Heather Bussard of Rosemore, Inc. who are, not only making an impact as individuals, but are also inspiring their colleagues and networks to create social change within their communities.
During Women’s History Month, we sat down with Kelley Chase of University of Baltimore and Mandy Memmel of Hon’s Honey to discuss the barriers they’ve faced as women and what they’ve done to ensure that women are not only supported but uplifted.
Our country's history has been shaped by the many untold stories of Black Americans. We talked with UWCM's President & CEO, Franklyn Baker, who shares his inspirations and passion for Greater Baltimore. He also talks about his drive and choices he made growing up, such as attending Howard University, that led him to being the philanthropist he is today.
"It's the way I grew up...shine the light wherever you are". Growing up in the South during segregation, Phylis shares what it was like to be one of the first Black graduates of her high school and the experiences that led her to where she is today - a positive light in her community.
From help to hope, our 211 team is there to provide what’s needed, where it’s needed—and often even more. In this episode, you’ll go behind the scenes of the 211 Maryland United Way Helpline and learn just what it takes to be a call specialist. You’ll hear our team answer actual calls, and connect people to the help they needed--and services they may not have even considered.
COVID-19 has impacted our community in ways we never imagined--and calls to the 211 Maryland United Way Helpline have skyrocketed. Our 211 team members are not only living through the pandemic, they’re answering hundreds of calls from people who've lost their jobs, who can't pay their rent, who are suffering with mental health issues, and so much more. Working this way can cause secondary trauma—and it has taken a toll on our call specialists. Join us to learn how our 211 team copes and what fuels their own personal call of duty to help others every day.
When you're in need, where do you turn? With so many 3-digit numbers out there, it's hard to know who can help. In this episode, we break down the crucial services offered by the 211 United Way Helpline, how it started, and its partnership with 311 & 911 to provide vital resources to those seeking assistance when they need it most.