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Episode 2: Ashley Moorefield, Serenity Living Transitional Home

Empower by Example

Release Date: 09/16/2019

Episode 12: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 2 show art Episode 12: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 2

Empower by Example

In our second episode with Jake Goodman from The Opportunity Fund, Jake and I talk openly about our personal struggle with imposter syndrome. As Jake states, in almost everything that we fund, people are going to do even if they don’t have access to the funds. We realize that the founders of these amazing programs and initiatives will run their programs without paying themselves. We become close with the people and programs we fund.

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Episode 11: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 1 show art Episode 11: Jake Goodman, Executive Director of The Opportunity Fund Part 1

Empower by Example

We have touched on the dark side of philanthropy on this podcast before, but Jake and I take a deep dive here.  How did we get here and how do we do these jobs with the knowledge that our daily lives are surrounded by privilege?  And what does it look like to work with us?  Our organizations have many parallels, but we are at different phases in our process creation. 

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Episode 10: Michael Yonas, Director of Research and Special Initiatives for The Pittsburgh Foundation show art Episode 10: Michael Yonas, Director of Research and Special Initiatives for The Pittsburgh Foundation

Empower by Example

In this episode, we discuss Michael’s role at the Pittsburgh Foundation.  His grant making portfolio is broad and varied, and his interpersonal relationships with funders bring many engaged and creative outcome-driven solutions.  His work with Michelle McMurray (https://pittsburghfoundation.org/michelle-mcmurray) has been instrumental to The Rock Family Foundation and how we partner with other organizations

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Episode 9: Tammy Thompson, Executive Director, Circles of Greater Pittsburgh show art Episode 9: Tammy Thompson, Executive Director, Circles of Greater Pittsburgh

Empower by Example

Tammy is a Poverty Expert, Nationally Sought After Speaker, Executive Producer of We Wear The Mask, a documentary released in 2017 highlighting the stigma associated with women in poverty and The Owner of T3 Consulting and T3 Media. 

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Episode 8: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting Part 2 show art Episode 8: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting Part 2

Empower by Example

We discuss what we can all be doing to support gender and racial equity in our day to day lives.  Michelle speaks to what needs to change in the philanthropic communities in order to further racial and gender equity.  We should consider who holds the power, what systems are we working in, and how can we highlight these inequities in the actual work.

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Episode 7: Heather Arnet, CEO Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern PA show art Episode 7: Heather Arnet, CEO Women and Girls Foundation of Southwestern PA

Empower by Example

Get to know Heather Arnet and her work at WGF!!  From theater to branding to business development, Heather used her experience as a feminist/activist theater director to step into the role of CEO of a women’s fund that was founded in Pittsburgh in the late 1990’s.  Arnet joined the organization in 2004 and she is a tireless advocate for women and girls rights locally, nationally, and internationally.

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Episode 6: Gisele Fetterman, For Good PGH show art Episode 6: Gisele Fetterman, For Good PGH

Empower by Example

Pennsylvania’s second lady, Gisele Fetterman, joins us to tell you all about her work in communities across the state. Fetterman is an empathetic, compassionate and courageous entrepreneur, as well as mother and wife to Lt. Governor John Fetterman. The Fettermans are a Pittsburgh power couple and they mix initiatives, relationship building, optimism and their incredible work ethics to make drastic positive changes in their hometown of Braddock, in the city of Pittsburgh, and throughout Pennsylvania.

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Episode 5: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting show art Episode 5: Michelle Walker, Walker Philanthropic Consulting

Empower by Example

Michelle spent 20 years working in the nonprofit sector before starting her own firm, Walker Philanthropic Consulting.  She has been instrumental in the founding and operation of The Rock Family Foundation, and her expertise and insights help to shape and guide our strategies and initiatives.  Michelle wants to help you fight the apathy that is rampant in our world.  She specializes in helping individuals participate in philanthropy in the ways that work best for your life.

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Episode 4: Julius Boatwright, Steel Smiling show art Episode 4: Julius Boatwright, Steel Smiling

Empower by Example

Julius Boatwright is the CEO of Steel Smiling, an organization that bridges the gap between community members and mental health support through education, advocacy and awareness.  

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Episode 3: Kathi Elliott, Gwen’s Girls show art Episode 3: Kathi Elliott, Gwen’s Girls

Empower by Example

In this episode we discuss the results of the Inequities Affecting Black Girls in Pittsburgh and how the Alliance works together to change longstanding policies in these systems.  Kathi discusses examples of issues such as the school to prison pipeline, the adulteration of black gils and having honest conversations with high school students.

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Empower By Example 

 

Episode 2 - Ashley Moorefield, Serenity Living Transitional Home

 

 

 
 
 
 
Ashley and Shawn Moorefield started a mentorship program in 2007 that intentionally brought youth from their community together to work on homework and talk about difficulties these young people were facing in school and throughout their community.  Over time the Moorefields discovered that some of the young people they served were at risk for homelessness.  Through a CRAZY (Ashley’s words, not mine) time of moving out of their own house and relocating her own family with young children in order to house these young people into their family’s home, their official non profit was born.  

 

 
 
 
SLTH is a transitional home was founded in 2017 for homeless girls and young women who are transitioning out of foster care located in East Liberty, Pittsburgh.  They serve ages 18-23 because Ashley found that most programs serve youth under the age of 18, or adults who have a legal situation where they have been mandated to a program through the courts.  The young women can stay at SLTH for up to a year and their plans for achieving sustainable, well rounded lives.

 

 
 
 
Ashley and Shawn have integrated service into their family’s every day reality.  Her son creates care packages for the homeless, and he reaches out to the community for donations for SJ Cares.  His little sister includes hand drawn pictures in the care packages.  We have a frank conversation about the difficulty explaining topics like homelessness to young children and how to involve them in service projects.  

 

 
 
 
As a follow up to Serenity Living’s fundraising gala on September 14th, The Rock Family Foundation is MATCHING all donations through 2019 up to $2,000.  Donate here and make your dollar work harder!  https://slth.networkforgood.com/projects/80184-laura-rock-s-fundraiser

 

 
 
 
Open call for community connections!!  Does your hobby or business promote personal growth?  Would you be interested in facilitating a session with Serenity Living?  You could teach these young people how to change the oil on a car, how to read a credit report or how to extreme coupon!  If you have a passion, please reach out to see if it is a match with this group.