Welcome to Episode 29 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Justino Arroyo-Morales, a Peer Community Advocate at Inspire to Rise.

Mr. Justino was born and raised in New Jersey but moved to Florida just over two years ago to be more active in the Word of Prophecy Ministry and Calvary Chapel Church of God and to leave behind the toxic environment he grew up so his children might grow up in a more healthy environment.

During this episode, Mr. Justino details his journey from trauma to substance abuse and from prison to faith. He uses his story as testimony to help others seek and find healing.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

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Welcome to Episode 28 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Jessica Williams, the Peer Advocate Coordinator at Inspire to Rise.

Ms. Jessica knows the importance of being met with understanding instead of judgement. With an early life shaped by addiction, mental health struggles, and trauma, Ms. Jessica has devoted her adult life to providing support to those who are walking a similar path. As a Peer Advocate, she is a listening ear to those who are struggling with addiction and/or mental health issues. Whether they're looking for a listening ear, a helping hand, or someone to celebrate with, Ms. Jessica is there. She wants others to know that hope and healing are possible, even after setbacks.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

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Welcome to Episode 27 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Tamika Wolfe-McKenzie, the President and CEO of Tamika’s School of Epicure in Jacksonville, Florida.

After a brush with cancer 10 years ago, Ms. Tamika began to search for her purpose. After reflecting on a misadventure when she was young and tried to cook her mother dinner, she founded Tamika's School of Epicure. Epicure is the love of food, and Ms. Tamika's school aims to teach that love of food to Jacksonville's youth. Through hands on cooking classes, youth attending the school learn not just important life skills, but a life long love of food itself.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

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Welcome to Episode 26 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Sheryl Johnson, the Founder and CEO of Hearts 4 Minds.

Ms. Sheryl and her husband founded Hearts 4 Minds in memory of their son, Alex. Hearts 4 Minds is leading the charge to break down the stigma of mental illness and alter how we look at mental health. It’s their mission to improve care for those with mental illness by becoming a resource for mental health, connecting those who need help with providers, and providing financial assistance for those who need it. By transforming mental health, we can save lives.

To create awareness about mental health and suicide prevention, Ms. Sheryl and her company have beautified the community with amazing murals that connect the community to information and resources to address mental health. Inspire to Rise was lucky enough to be the recipient of three such murals.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can also call or text 988 at anytime for immediate assistance.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

Send a text

Welcome to Episode 25 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Cheryl Crawford-Deas, the Founder and Executive Director of the Darnell Deas, Jr., Marvelous Light Foundation.

Mrs. Crawford-Deas has a passion for bringing awareness to mental health and suicide prevention that stems from the loss of her own son, Darnel, Jr. (DJ) to suicide. Since 2018 the foundation has presented over $10,000 in scholarships to students throughout the country. You can learn more about Darnell Deas, Jr., Marvelous Light Foundation, as well as access resources, at djdeasmarvelouslightfoundation.com. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you can also call or text 988 at anytime for immediate assistance.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

Send a text

Welcome to Episode 24 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Dr. Rob Thomas, the CEO of Community Health Outreach, Jacksonville’s only free integrated medical/dental clinic for low-income/uninsured residents, and which also hosts the Lord’s Food Pantry and Baby Luv Center for infant care supplies.

Dr. Thomas has worked in various healthcare roles to combat opioid, alcohol, and tobacco-use disorders in the state of Florida. As a nationally certified wellness practitioner and board-certified tobacco treatment specialist, he has worked with patients and the community on programs to prevent and control chronic diseases through public health initiatives.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

Send a text

Welcome to Episode 23 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Jennifer Ryan, the CEO of Volunteers in Medicine, a non profit clinic that provides free healthcare for the working uninsured.

Mrs. Ryan is a fifth generation North Floridian with a proven reputation in building and sustaining community partnerships with experience in health care at the national, county, and hospital levels. She is recognized for being innovative, collaborative, creative, outgoing, team oriented, adaptable, and professional.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

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Welcome to Episode 22 of Inspiring Community: An Inspire to Rise Podcast. Today's episode was led by our host, Drew Brandom! Please join us as he interviews our guest, Marcus Hill, the RISE Nassau Program Coordinator.

While Mr. Hill began as a Theology major with a goal of eventually becoming a pastor, he found his calling in psychology in his second year of his undergrad program. Now a licensed therapist, he works with the Inspired to Rise team in Nassau county, providing therapy services and expanding the Nassau campuses' service offerings.

Inspire to Rise, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on holistically helping make the community a little better, happier, and healthier place. For more information or to support our mission, please contact us at weinspiretorise.org or via phone at: 1-844-WE-RISE1 (1-844-937-4731).

Send a text