Uncovering the Sacred Mission in Any Vocation (feat. Doug Meikle, Star of Hope)
We often use the analogy of the River to describe how each and every one of us has a unique role to play in supporting the vulnerable children and families of Houston. One of the reasons why we need hands both upstream and downstream, helping from all sides, is because the foster care system does not exist in isolation. It’s shaped by—and deeply connected to—a range of other social challenges.One such challenge is homelessness and the circumstances that lead to it. The Greater Houston area holds over 3,000 people experiencing homelessness, including those in shelters and those unsheltered. This issue of homelessness has a direct impact on the foster care community—10% of children across Texas enter foster care due to housing issues.One thing is clear—any effort to support the foster care community is incomplete without also addressing the realities of homelessness. Joining us to discuss this key topic is Doug Meikle.Doug is a first-generation immigrant from Scotland who loves the city of Houston. A few years ago, he changed the course of his life by leaving behind the world of engineering and management to found a nonprofit along with two of his friends. TrueWorks focuses on integrating Christian faith with the world of work. Doug is now the CEO of Star of Hope, Houston’s largest mission to the homeless, and remains the board chair of TrueWorks.In this episode, Doug shares the connection our faith should have with the work we choose to do, the circumstances that contribute to homelessness, the importance of collaboration with other organizations and individuals across our city, and much more.Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/doug-meikle-37
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46:58
Protecting the Vulnerable at All Ages (feat. Julie Dumalet, Archdiocese Office of Pro-Life Activities)
The term “pro-life” can be a politically charged topic. While the most common understanding of being pro-life is in regard to protecting life before birth, we had the opportunity to talk with someone who has a broader understanding of what it means to take up the charge of the vulnerable and protect life at all ages.Our guest for this conversation is Julie Dumalet. She has led the Archdiocese Office of Pro-Life Activities here in Houston, Texas since 2016 in the position of Director. The Pro-Life Office continually seeks new ways to promote the dignity of human persons through initiatives such as St. Joseph Ministry Foster Care and Families. In this episode, Julie explains how partnering with others who share your mission leads to greater long-term success, what it looks like to be pro-life beyond pregnancy and birth, some of the key ways we can begin to identify the vulnerable in our existing communities, and much more.Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/julie-dumalet-36Connect with us!Website: https://riversideproject.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.projectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx
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51:30
Mobilizing Community Resources in Houston (feat. Alysa Elliott-Wilson, DFPS)
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) may be most commonly associated with the act of “taking children away” from unsafe home environments. Unfortunately, this small snapshot of what DFPS does is often portrayed in a negative light in media and movies.But while the removal of children—whether it be temporary or permanent—is one of the responsibilities of DFPS, there is so much more to what they do. Our latest guest is here to highlight a DFPS division that partners with service-driven organizations to uplift those in need.Alysa Elliott-Wilson is the regional administrator for Faith-Based and Community Engagement at the Texas DFPS. She specifically oversees Region Six, which includes Houston and the surrounding counties. She plays a critical role in developing partnerships between faith-based organizations and DFPS to provide support services for vulnerable children, families, and adults in Texas.In this episode, Alysa shares how the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Division mobilizes resources, the importance of coming together to wrap a network of support around vulnerable families, how we can help close the gaps of care in our area, and much more.Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/alysa-elliott-wilson-35Connect with us!Website: https://riversideproject.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.projectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx
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47:23
Reflections on Raising Children in Foster Care (feat. Christian & Morgan Nichols)
When you first become a foster parent, you are likely to get a lot of advice. Some of it is extremely helpful, while some may not apply to your specific situation. When you combine the uncertainty of stepping into a new role with the fact that every child brings a completely different story to the table, it can be difficult to know exactly what to expect as a first-time foster parent. That's why I'm so thrilled that my guests today are here to offer valuable insight into what this experience can look like.Christian & Morgan Nichols are an incredible couple who have been on their foster care journey for over three years. Morgan is an elementary school nurse and Christian serves as the Director of Nursing over two intensive care units.In this episode, they share how they navigated the transition to becoming foster parents, some of the most helpful advice they have received along the way, the highs and lows of foster care, and much more.Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/christian-morgan-nichols-34Connect with us!Website: https://riversideproject.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.projectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx
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39:47
How to Support Children Who Age Out (feat. Nicole Davis, Operation: Achieve Independence)
For many young adults, turning 18 is an exciting milestone—a step toward independence while still having the support of family. But for children in foster care, this birthday marks the date you age out of the system.Sometimes, these individuals don’t feel fully prepared to navigate the adult world. Often, an 18-year-old aging out of foster care has to face life decisions most people wouldn’t expect to tackle until their mid-20s. It’s a daunting situation that can feel impossible to face alone, and our latest guest is here to shed light on this challenging issue.Nicole Davis is the Executive Director of Operation: Achieve Independence (OAI). OAI focuses on supporting youth aging out of foster care by providing mentoring, life skills training, education, and career preparation.In this episode, Nicole shares the important role education plays in breaking cycles of generational trauma, why the challenges of aging out will look different for every child, how we can best support young adults who are about to age out, and much more.Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/nicole-davis-33Connect with us!Website: https://riversideproject.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.riverside.projectFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversideproject.htx
Welcome to the Riverside Project podcast! We are mobilizing Houston to empower families and transform generations. We hope these conversations give you a greater understanding of the issues facing our community and inspire you to find your place along the River. Learn more about our work by visiting riversideproject.org or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
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