Joy Gilfilen, host of iChange Justice podcast interviews a woman who went "on walkabout" down I-5 this past year, living homeless. She has been an advocate for social issues of poverty, mental health, public safety and homelessness and shares what she learned.
How have cities adapted in the past two years to the civic crisis issues, to the injection of CARES dollars for emergency intervention in different cities? What has happened to the people living without shelter, emergency services, and without resources during the past few years? What is it like today as different from before? How is this impacting people, what are the side effects of different leadership attitudes on the community?

As Part of our March & April Creative Retreat

We ask for your participation and feedback.

During our creative retreat to record new and innovative material, we’re sharing an encore of one of our Top Shows of 2023 — Episode #67, “CORE Mental Health Services.”

Host Joy Gilfilen talks with Ben Hoppie, Mental Health Practitioner, and Trisha Johnston, Peer Counselor, about how they work alongside law enforcement, courts, and hospital emergency departments in Cowlitz County to support people facing substance use, mental health challenges, homelessness, poverty, and justice system involvement.

Their lived experience and professional training allow them to meet people at the moment of crisis, helping redirect lives toward recovery and stability.

The iChange Justice Podcast, produced by the Restorative Community Coalition, shares real stories about homelessness, addiction, incarceration, recovery, and the nonprofits working on the front lines to help people rebuild their lives.

Please share the podcast with friends and family, support local nonprofits, and stay connected as we prepare our next season.

Listen. Learn. Stay informed.

In this encore presentation, Host Joy Gilfilen speaks with John Fitzpatrick about the real impact of peer mentoring, supportive housing, and community-integrated services for people rebuilding their lives after incarceration.

John shares what it means to serve as a peer mentor and why integrated services — housing, employment support, and trauma-informed care working together — significantly increase the chances of successful reentry. Programs like these help stabilize individuals facing complex challenges including trauma, addiction, and the difficult transition back into community life.

Their supportive housing model offers at least a 90-day program with fully integrated services designed to help people regain stability and reconnect with meaningful work and community support.

This conversation highlights the kind of leadership and lived experience the iChange Justice Podcast seeks to bring forward — individuals working directly in communities to create practical pathways toward healing, accountability, and long-term stability.

Episode #226 is part of our March and April encore series while the iChange Justice Podcast takes a creative pause to reflect and explore future directions.