“COVID-19 gave me the opportunity to live out my beliefs. What a blessing it is to get a call from a hospital that says, ‘Our nurses and our doctors, they're taking risks that are just not okay’. Could a man ever have a better blessing in life than to know that he got to live out his belief, which is, ‘Hey, we're going to try to love our neighbors?’“ – Jeff Kaas

It is not too often that we hear of a for-profit business putting their employee growth and community contribution as their mission statement. Luckily, not only do these companies exist, but they are shining a light towards a pathway for hope and healing amidst a pandemic.

In this week’s episode of Luminaries in the Dark, host Bruce Bracken is joined by Jeff Kaas, owner and consultant for Kaas Tailored, a furniture manufacturer and consulting group in Mukilteo, Washington. With a strong set of beliefs centered around loving his neighbors, Jeff tells us how he made the temporary switch from furniture manufacturing and consulting, to using his factory to produce PPEs to meet the 100 Million Mask Challenge. By putting his business aside, Jeff collaborated with his partners and competitors to create an international response to fighting coronavirus.

Listen in and be comforted to know that putting people first can reap amazing results.

Resources

Jeff Kaas - LinkedIn

Kaas Tailored

100 Million Mask Challenge - Website

Seattle Times - Article

Bruce Bracken - LinkedIn

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Mental health has been an issue in our communities for a long, long time. If you look at any youth health survey results from communities around Snohomish County, depression, anxiety, kids vaping, drug use, all of that has been on the rise even before COVID." -Patsy Cudaback

Children are our future. They will be responsible for building and leading our communities and helping us, as humans, progress to achieve a more just and caring world. It’s a fact that children are largely molded by their environment, and with the advent of COVID, children everywhere are facing the consequences of shelter-in-place orders. Suddenly, the things that are vital to a child’s development, such as school, community activities, and even friendships, are put on hold.

The YMCA, a not-for-profit that has been around for more than 120 years, is ready to meet the challenge to support and care for children in our communities. This week, host Bruce Bracken speaks to Patsy Cudaback, Senior Vice President for the YMCA of Snohomish County, who is fearlessly answering the call to provide mental health support to our youth. By hiring mental health counselors and incorporating them into the day camps at the YMCA, Patsy provides children with a listening ear and skills for coping with the changes around them.

Resources

Patsy Cudaback - LinkedIn

Snohomish County YMCA - https://ymca-snoco.org/

YMCA and BGCSC Summer Camp Partnership - KOMO news

Bruce Bracken - LinkedIn

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.” – Henry David Thoreau

For some, thinking of summer conjures up youthful memories of hiking with friends, canoeing down a river, fishing from a lakeshore, or late-night campfire stories. But this year, with travel and group gatherings curtailed, many of us face the challenge of finding ways to continue those summertime outdoor adventures.

Luckily, this hasn’t stopped organizations from inventing unique ways for people to enjoy the season’s beautiful weather. Avid4 Adventure is one such organization that has pivoted its programs to accommodate safety and social distancing concerns while providing summer fun. With its mission to empower kids of all ages and skill levels and encourage them to choose active, outdoor lifestyles, Avid4 Adventure offers safe summer activities through their Camp at Home and Small Group Adventures programs.

Paul Dreyer, CEO (Chief Empowerment Officer) of Avid4 Adventure, joins host Bruce Bracken for this week’s episode and discusses the importance of providing an outlet for children to improve their concepts of self-development and teach the importance of community through an evolution of summer camp and activities.

Listen in and be inspired to rethink your summer adventure plans!

Resources

Paul Dreyer - LinkedIn

Avid4 Adventure: https://avid4.com/

Avid4 Adventure - Camp At Home: https://avid4.com/camp-at-home

Avid4 Adventure - Small Group Adventures: https://avid4.com/small-group-adventures

Bruce Bracken - LinkedIn

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.