Houston P. A. hosted by Laurent

Elizabeth Elder, is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, a support organization for moms who have kids with special needs. Cindy Mood is their membership chair and Bethany Sauer is a member, artist and vendor at their special events. They share their stories of connecting with other women and finding support among peers – the only people who can truly understand what having a kid with special needs is really like. They also have a meeting for men – father are not abandoned! You can be a part of the group. Joining is free on their website / Facebook page. Go to: www.Steelmagnoliamoms.com

Rick lives with ALS. He and his wife discuss his diagnosis and how their lives have changed. You'll be inspired by their courrage and optimistic outlook. Danatria Spears is the associate director of development for the ALS Association of Texas. The ALS Walk on Saturday Nov 16th at the University of Houston. www.als.org

Dr. Tadia Diallo is the global health manager for Medical Bridges. We discuss how she came to Texas from Guinea and Medical Bridges' mission to bring medical supplies to healthcare workers across nations in need. These supplies are donated to Medical bridges by our hospital community and volunteers prepare them to for shipment. We also describe the awesome clinics on wheels built by students of A&M University. Go to: www.medicalbridges.org

Lara Mautz is the executive director of the Christ Clinic and Jay Donnella in charge of their Strategic Partnerships. Christ Clinic delivers high quality healthcare to those who are uninsured and underinsured. Most of their services are delivered by volunteers, including the nurses and physicians who donate their time. This means they can help deliver healthcare to those who can’t pay. We also discuss how convenient it is for patients to use Christ Clinic before their symptoms turn into really big problems. To make appointments or to donate to their mission. Go to www.christclinickaty.org. You can also call for an appointment: 281-391-0190

Kenicia Curry is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for Legacy Community Health. Telehealth has become the main way to consult for Legacy Community Healthcare and we discuss the importance of managing medication for older patients. In addition to very important in-person consultations with physicians, constant contact with people like Kenicia through video calls is a helpful tool to help people manage their conditions. www.legacycommunityhealth.org

Dr. Teandra Gordon is the Senior Program Director for BrainAbouts, an organization that has free online tools to help parents raise children to avoid drugs and alcohol. They work through schools, providing access to study packets to go along with the online courses. Online videos are available to all: www.brainabouts.org

Gail Gould is the The CPR and Safety Lady and she teaches us what to do in case of a seizure or chocking, live on the radio. There’s much more to learn on the subject of first aid like knowing how to use the automatic defibrillators every building is supposed to have and even using EKGs to detect heart problems in young men. Go to www.cprandsafetylady.com and Gail can come teach you the course.

Chanelle Omiwade is the Program Director for Communities in Schools of Houston and Adrianne A. Williams is a Student Support Manager at Lamar High School. CIS helps parents and students navigate the school year from making sure they have a great breakfast to giving tips on good sleeping hygiene so students get the rest they need. They also have a mental health initiative that allows students to get help anonymously. They get help from over 300 non-profits in town to provide all the services they need. Go to: www.cishouston.org

Dr. Paul Gerson is the founder of The Periwinkle Foundation (he was also in the air force) and Ann Massey is their Development Director. The Periwinkle Foundation was founded to provide children at Texas Children's Hospital with the opportunity to "just feel normal" for one week at Camp Periwinkle. They also offer tons of programs to help children and their families get through the harsh cancer treatments such as art fairs and entertainment performed by local arts organizations. They are also behind the Iron Sommelier event on November 7th where guests can taste wines, dine, be merry and raise funds for the summer camp. Go to www.periwinklefoundation.org to get tickets and info on this extraordinary Org.

Barry Ward is the executive director of Trees For Houston. They’ve planted more than 750,000 trees to mitigate run off and provide shade to buildings, thereby significantly reducing AC bills. The benefits go on an on and they even help people’s mental health. Trees for Houston also takes requests and distributes free tress to people planning green spaces or their back yards. Go to: www.treesforhouston.org.

Ann Hobing is the Lone Star Flight Museum’s senior director of education and Cameron Hardy is one of their youth ambassador. Cameron is an impressive young man with a great passion for aviation and ambitions to become an Air Force pilot. He wants to fly those awesome jets and we talk about what he does at the museum and how it’s helping him set his path towards the Air Force. Ann tells us about the many events they have in this cool museum like Girls in Aviation and Harry Potter Day. Go to: www.lonestarflight.org and get in on the fun.

Walter Ulrich CEO of Medical Bridges (and a US Marine) and Akinyi Adoyo is their marketing manager. Medical Bridges collects medical equipment donations and redistributes them to healthcare workers across nations. They have a new operation in San Antonio and they also work with Texas A&M students who build them several mobile medical exam rooms that also get shipped all over the world. Go to www.medicalbridges.org to find out more about this extraordinary organization and go meet these people during their 2024 “One People, One World” Gala presented by Chevron. It’s on Thursday, October 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel and they will honor Ms. Paula Harris, the executive director of the Astros Foundation.

Robert Simpson is the founder and artistic director of Houston Chamber Choir and Dr. Betsy Cook Weber Houston Chamber Choir Artistic Director Designate. The Houston Chamber Choir celebrates its 30th anniversary season which will be founder Robert Simpson’s last as he hands over the directorship to Dr. Cook Weber. "From Startup to Standout" will feature the annual free show at Miller Outdoor Theater: “I Just Want to Celebrate! Songs from the ‘70s” and a world premiere from brilliant English composer Patrick Hawes: "Son of Man." And don't miss their Christmas show: “Glory in the Highest: Christmas at the Villa” performed at the Chapel at the Villa de Matel. Go to https://www.houstonchamberchoir.org for tickets and info.

Jacque Daughtry is the CEO of Literacy Now and Jacklyn Wilson is their Chief Operating Officer. They discuss their programs that fight the "summer slide" student experience from being away from school for 2 months and how their other volunteer driven programs, including the Lunch Bunch, help elevate the catastrophically low literacy rate amongst Harris County children. You can get involved: www.literacynowhouston.org

Christian Taylor aka Hertz, Juan Martinez aka Fear Factor, Richard Chavez aka Camelbak, discuss F3: a national network of free, peer-led workouts for men. The Fs stand for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. Their mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. We had a lot of fun talking about how their community has their own way of talking and how every man is welcome, no matter their age or fitness level. Go to www.f3nation.com to find a local program near you.

Pierce Bush is the CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters Lone Star. They help volunteers mentor kids, guiding them to graduate from high school and form valuable connections in life. They are in need of mentors, especially men because they have far more boys on their waiting list and it’s worth getting involved. Their results are impressive. The “Littles” are exponentially more likely to graduate and get a good job, breaking the cycle of poverty they grew up in. We also talk about the lasting bonds Bigs and Littles form and how so many Littles return to be mentors themselves. Go to www.bbbstx.org/greater-houston to sign up.

Gabriela Gerhart is the founder of Motherhood Center. They offer education, support groups and access to experts and doulas for expecting mothers and fathers. The free Baby Bump Social is every 2nd Thursday of the month and just announced: every third Thursday of the month will be a new dad group. Go to www.motherhoodcenter.com for more information.

The Special Olympics Texan East Region is getting a bunch of help from Jersey Mike’s who is conducting a cool fundraiser on March 27th. They will donate all proceeds to Special Olympics nationwide. To tell us how if affects Texas, my guests are: Ainsley Spenser, a Special Olympics athlete with a great story of friendship, AJ Edenzon, the Executive Director of Special Olympics Texan East Region, Carolina Proaño, a marketing specialist for a Jersey Mikes franchise in Houston and John Foster, the area director for Jersey Mike’s. Go to www.sotx.org to see their many programs which brings families and friends together on a weekly basis.

Lisa Tynan is the marketing and special events specialist for Houston PetSet. We celebrate their 20 years of service to Texans by discussing the great success they have had lobbying our city and state government to enact more humane laws. They also offer free chip and vaccine services and we explain how important it is to do this with our pets. And we always talk about their pet transports. They have sent opver 10,000 cats and dogs to states up north so they could be adopted. Their websites have great videos you should check out. They’ll fill your heart with hope and joy! Go to www.houstonpetset.org and also consider donating a few bucks. They’re doing great work.

Sylvia Villalpando is the Homeowner Services Associate Director for Houston Habitat for Humanity. Their success is in large part due to their “Sweat Equity” program, which requires potential homeowners to take financial management classes and to put in some work in helping others with their home needs. We also discuss how Houston Habitat chooses applicants and how they buy land to build houses. They need volunteers and we also discuss the great help they’re getting from big companies in Houston. Go to: www.houstonhabitat.org