Spotlight with Laura Dawn

News
Society & Culture

Each week host Laura Dawn brings you the issues affecting the Pacific Northwest and the people making a difference in our community and sometimes beyond. Expect compelling conversations with local leaders and influencers. Spotlight is dedicated to presenting you with issues that matter - including music, education, health, mental health, and the environment.

Spotlighting It's A Fostered Life

This week we hear from Christy Tennant Krispin with “A Fostered Life” Podcast. Christy started with a youtube channel to encourage other foster parents. Since then it has involved into a weekly podcast, she interviews experts, former foster children and seasoned foster parents. Her mantra is “No foster parent should ever feel alone.” It is important for foster parents to feel supported so they will continue. The goal is to train and keep as many foster parents as possible as the need is so great. Some of the things they go through is truly tragic and having support through those tough times will help them bounce back and try again. Fostering isn’t for everyone but if it is on your heart she want you to be informed as to what you are walking into. You can find out more at https://afosteredlife.com/ . Christy also hosts a weekly support call for foster parents.

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Spotlighting the Hoff Foundation

This week we hear from Judy Hoff, Founder and CEO of The Hoff Foundation located in Everett WA. The Hoff Foundation includes Esther’s Place, Queen it’s a New Day, New and Creation Housing for women coming out of sex trafficking, drugs/alcohol addiction, and homelessness. As we head into the cold weather there are things we can do to help them as they reach out to the homeless and opioid community in hopes of rehabilitation. Gloves are a big need and hand warmers. Also with Christmas approaching simple useful gifts for the women helps bring them joy through the holidays. You can send money or gifts to the Hoff Foundation at 2639 Rockefeller Ave Everett WA 98201. Or you can go to their webpage https://www.hofffoundation.org/ to volunteer at the day center, Esther’s Place, desperate for volunteers or for the Christmas Party.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting Eagle Wings DisAbility Ministies

This week we hear from Kinder Smoots who is the Executive Director of Eagle Wings DisAbility Ministries. Kinder was called to serve those with disAbilities one month after the passing of her daughter Kayla. Being the parent of a child with special needs taught advocacy, training, understanding and passion for those who are marginalized in our community.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting The Hand Up Project

This week we hear from Robert Smiley with “The Hand Up Project.” Robert reveals his “why” about helping addicts and the reason he looks at them and treats them as human beings. Robert and his team of volunteers, many are recovering addicts. Robert’s team goes into homeless camps and cleans up the area. They invite addicts to get into detox and rehab. He realizes the drug takes them over and the way they behave is not who they are but he knows they can beat it with the help of support and community. http://thehandupproject.org/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting National Thyroid Awareness Month

This week we hear Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum, author of the groundbreaking new book Healing The Thyroid With Ayurveda: Natural Treatments for Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism, and Hyperthyroidism: Dr. Teitelbaum, who has treated thousands of thyroid patients, argues that every month should be Thyroid Awareness Month given the epidemic levels of the disease and the lack of effective treatment. Approximately 20 million Americans have a thyroid condition — and up to 60% of them don’t even know it. http://drmteitelbaum.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting The Hungry Hearts Foundation

This week we hear from Tammie Enders, a teacher at Stevens Creek Elementary school and Mirza Avdic with The Hungry Hearts Foundation. When Tammie discovered one of her own students would be without adequate food over winter break, she decided something had to be done. She contacted Anita Caffee, and together they vowed that no child would go hungry at their school. For more than 5 years the foundation has been sending back packs with food home with children in the free and reduced lunch program on weekends and during the summer. https://www.hungryheartsfoundation.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting SnuggleBuds

This week we hear from Jasmin Jean with Snugglebuds. As a childhood cancer survivor she has some chronic illness from her chemo back in the 1980’s. Cancer research has come so far now, last Christmas when she was again in the hospital, she decided she was going to make dolls for kids going through cancer treatments. These dolls called “buds” have IV’s ports, and are bald, they have lab coats and Dr. Name tags with their names on them. These buds are making a significant difference for kids with cancer, not only does it empower them, but helps educate them and make them part of the process.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting the US Census

This week we hear from Toby Nelson the Media Liaison for the U.S. Census Bureau covering Washington State. As you may know, the Census determines how 650 billion dollars per year in funding is allocated and determines how many congressional seats each state receives for the next decade. They are hiring for the census taking, and they are sending out postcards giving people the option to send in their answers or go online to avoid someone knocking on their door.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting Step By Step and Farm 12

This week we hear from Krista Linden with Step By Step. She started Step by Step 23 years ago to come beside at risk pregnant women to help them deliver a healthy baby and get a good start at life. Step by Step is across 4 counties. They now have a restraint which employees some of the Step by Step moms and dads. It is called Farm 12. https://www.farm12.org/ Farm 12 is also hiring. https://www.stepbystepfamily.org/ If you want to donate or find out more about volunteering at Step by Step.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Spotlighting Life Center NW Organ Donations

This week we hear from Kevin O’Connor CEO of Life Center Northwest. He debunks some myths about organ donation, as well as sharing new technology making donations more successful. You will not only want to join us for a very informative interview but you may end wanting to sign up to become an organ donor!!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.