Hanan Abraha sits down with Jonah Gensler, CEO of LSA Family Health Service, shares how his childhood experiences with housing injustice shaped his commitment to families in East Harlem. With 30% of the neighborhood made up of public housing—the highest concentration in New York City—he explains why safe, affordable housing, health, and education are essential for children to thrive.

Alisa Smith sits down with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso in this episode of The Bells I Hear podcast. They discuss Reynoso's personal journey from growing up in Williamsburg during the 1980s and 90s to becoming the youngest and first Latino Dominican Borough President. Reynoso shares insights into his key initiatives aimed at improving life in Brooklyn, including maternal health, housing partnerships with faith leaders, and digital equity. Key topics include his comprehensive plan to address borough inequities and how community members can get involved.

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Laura Lazarus, co-founder of Anthos Home, has over 30 years of experience in New York City's affordable housing sector. She discusses her extensive background, the challenges and opportunities within the affordable housing landscape, and how Anthos Home is effectively bridging gaps between landlords and tenants using housing vouchers. Learn about the systemic issues, success stories, and innovative approaches like flexible funding that help tackle homelessness and provide stable housing for low-income families. This episode highlights the importance of affordable housing for societal well-being and how collaborative efforts can make a difference.

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Join us for an insightful conversation with David Adams, CEO of Urban Assembly, as he discusses his journey and the organization's remarkable efforts to bridge the opportunity gap and improve social and economic mobility for students in New York City's public education system. Adams delves into the importance of social-emotional learning, innovative educational approaches, and the significant impact of their work on students' lives. Learn about how Urban Assembly collaborates with various stakeholders to ensure students not only succeed academically but also thrive in their personal and professional lives.

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Join us in this insightful episode with Gabriela Saenz, Director of Research for Education and Policy for the National Women's Shelter Network. Gabriela discusses her journey from studying International Relations to advocating for women's and children's shelters during the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights the origins of the National Women's Shelter Network from the Lotus House and the critical initiatives aimed at connecting shelters nationwide. Gabriela also shares her thoughts on affordable housing, increased funding for trauma-informed shelters, and the necessity of affordable childcare. Discover how NWSN works with lawmakers to advocate for crucial policy changes and the importance of centering lived experiences in their work. Gabriela's commitment to advancing rights and providing support for homeless women and children is truly inspiring. Don't miss her valuable insights and the ongoing efforts to bring about meaningful change.
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Join us as we interview Louise Carroll, a seasoned expert with almost 20 years in affordable housing across public and private sectors. She shares her journey, key projects, and innovative strategies to tackle New York City's housing crisis. Learn about Louise's role as a former Housing Commissioner and her efforts during the pandemic to create housing equity. Gain insights into public-private partnerships, policy changes, and future prospects for affordable housing.

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In this heartfelt episode, Julissa Grozozski-Torres shares her incredible journey from a long psychiatric hospitalization at 16 to becoming a dedicated youth advocate at 17. Through personal experiences of navigating the mental health and foster care systems, she recounts her struggles, triumphs, and the founding of her organization 'Triumph OVA Struggles Advocacy and Consulting.' The advocate discusses the importance of supporting youth and families through the system, advocating for better resources, and overcoming challenges associated with mental health, ADHD, foster care, and housing instability. Join us to hear an inspiring story of resilience, advocacy, and the ongoing fight for systemic change.

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In this episode, journalist and author Brian Goldstone joins us to discuss his new book 'There Is No Place For Us,' which explores the lives of five working homeless families in Atlanta. Inspired by his wife’s observations as a nurse practitioner, Goldstone dives deep into the systemic failures that push working individuals into homelessness. From the impact of gentrification to the broken systems of assistance, Goldstone's reporting sheds light on the often invisible and misunderstood world of the working homeless. He argues for a paradigm shift in how society perceives housing, advocating for social housing and a redefinition of homelessness to include those living in extended stay hotels and overcrowded apartments. Through deeply personal stories, Goldstone aims to evoke not just empathy, but outrage and a call for justice.

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