Lost & Found: Lost in a System, Found by the Church

Can one church in the middle of Los Angeles truly make a difference in its community?The answer is yes.In this episode, we meet Pastor Jefferson from Delaire Baptist Church, who shares how a church can become a powerful force for hope—reaching beyond its walls to meet real needs in the neighborhood around it.When a church steps into its community with compassion and purpose, lives change. 💛🎙 Listen to the full conversation:https://lostandfound.show📩 [email protected]#LostAndFound #ChurchInAction #CommunityImpact #LosAngeles #FaithInAction

Big changes are happening in Los Angeles around homeless support—and the impact could be significant.Nearly one-third of the people currently in long-term supportive housing could potentially be affected by these shifts, putting many at risk of returning to the streets. Behind these numbers are real people—neighbors who have worked hard to regain stability and dignity.Moments like this remind us how important thoughtful solutions and community support truly are. 💛🎙 Hear the full conversation and what it could mean for our community:https://lostandfound.show#LostAndFound #Homelessness #LosAngeles #CommunityCare #HopeInAction

Watching a child who has been sleeping on the floor receive their very first bed is a moment you never forget. 💛Something many of us take for granted—a bed to sleep in—is not the reality for every child here in Los Angeles.But when a child finally climbs into a bed that is their own, you see more than furniture. You see dignity, comfort, and the feeling of finally being cared for.Sometimes the smallest things can change a life.🎙 Hear more stories like this on the podcast: https://lostandfound.show#LostAndFound #CommunityCare #LosAngeles #DignityMatters #ServeOthers 💛

 | In a city as big and busy as Los Angeles, it might surprise you to learn that after-school Bible clubs are still thriving—and making a real impact.  Today we talk with Rosa Hsueh about Good News Club and how these after-school gatherings are helping students build character, learn strong moral lessons, and discover a sense of purpose and belonging.  Sometimes the smallest gatherings can shape the biggest futures. ✨  🎙 Listen to the full conversation: https://lostandfound.show  #LostAndFound #CharacterMatters #AfterSchoolPrograms #CommunityImpact

Sometimes making a difference starts with something simple — a backpack, a holiday celebration, or a reminder that someone cares. 💛  Elaine Ray from Rays of Light is passionate about providing resources and support for kids and families who need it most. From school supplies to special events, her work is helping children feel seen, supported, and valued.  Hear her heart for this mission in a conversation you won’t want to miss.  🎙 Listen to the podcast: https://lostandfound.show  #LostAndFound #CommunityCare #ServingOthers #HopeInAction

One week can change a life. 💛  Royal Family KIDS Camp is doing exactly that—creating a place where children in foster care are seen, valued, and deeply cared for.  In our conversation with Larry Stealey, we explore the powerful impact that happens when a church steps up to host a camp for kids who desperately need encouragement, safety, and hope.  The result? Lives transformed in just one week.  🎙 Listen to the full conversation: https://lostandfound.show  #LostAndFound #FosterCare #RoyalFamilyKidsCamp #HopeInAction #ChurchInAction

 | Feeding thousands of people every day is no small task.  Ken Craft, president of Hope the Mission, shares the passion, logistics, and heart behind serving excellent meals to people experiencing homelessness.  Because dignity can start with something as simple — and powerful — as a great meal. 🍽️  This is a conversation you won’t want to miss.  🎙 Listen now: https://lostandfound.show  #LostAndFound #HopeTheMission #ServeWithDignity #CommunityImpact

 | Sherrie Bradford spent much of her childhood in the foster care system.  Today, her story is one of perseverance, resilience, and what it means to rise beyond the circumstances you were given. Her journey is powerful, honest, and deeply inspiring. 💛  This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.  🎙 Listen to the podcast: https://lostandfound.show  #LostAndFound #FosterCare #Resilience #StoriesThatMatter

We often hear from foster children who have lived the experience of being in foster homes, today you will hear the incredible story of Ember Ngur’s experiences of living in a home that has do not only foster children, but foster children who had experienced extreme trauma… And how that experience changed her life forever. [email protected]

For generations, the YMCA has been strengthening communities.But in 2025, the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles made an unprecedented move — providing FREE memberships to foster youth, creating spaces of safety, stability, and belonging when it matters most.Christopher Jefferson from the YMCA youth program shares why belonging isn’t just a word — it’s life-changing.This is a conversation you don’t want to miss.🎙 Listen now: https://lostandfound.show📩 [email protected]#LostAndFound #FosterYouth #Belonging #CommunityImpact

Today we talk with Megan from Door of Hope, a ministry that has been working to move people into permanent housing for years - Since the LA fires of 2025 they were able to throttle up to support hundreds of  people who are displaced in their community. [email protected]

Some girls grow up feeling invisible.Trafficked. Fostered. Homeless. Forgotten.But being truly seen can change everything. Today, Stacy Dewitt, Executive Director of James Storehouse, shares the heart behind “Beautiful You” — a program helping girls rediscover their worth and understand they are deeply valued and unconditionally loved through Christ. When a girl begins to see herself as cherished, healing begins. 💛 #BeautifulYou #JamesStorehouse #HopeRestored #FaithInAction

Kids aging out of foster care system in Los Angeles is a significant issue. Bishop Ed from Nehemiah Project LA Ministries are making a difference  -he will enjoy hearing about how providing these much needed resources help these young adults find focus in a new [email protected]

Can one church in the middle of Los Angeles, have a significant impact on the needs of their community around them? The answer is yes you will enjoy meeting Pastor Jefferson from Del Baptist Church as we talk about the importance of the church, reaching out to its community. [email protected]

With the changes happening in Los Angeles regarding homeless support. We could be looking at almost 1/3 of the people who are now receiving long-term supportive housing, potentially being affected and possibly back out on the streets.

Watching a kid who has been sleeping on the floor received their first bed is a life-changing experience. Something we all take for granted. Something so many of us take for granted, having a bed, is not the case for everyone here in Los Angeles.

How did these kids get here without parents, a question that I posed to Katherine Hernandez from Foster All regarding Unaccompanied Minors housing program. [email protected]

When God calls it's is clear and miraculous,  Dave Phillips, shares what let him to Found Children Hunger Fund [email protected]

He knew we wanted to foster eventually – but God had a different plan. Jared Buckholder  Foster/Adopted Dad shares his journey to parent hood. [email protected]

The Greatest gift  -the sweetest gift of redemption through a sweet Baby boy – makes protecting the lives of unborn babies more real. You won’t want to miss our conversation with Debi Harvey – from Open arms [email protected]

“I was so scared, a 4 pound preemie  baby is so tiny…" Gabi Mosci, a Foster mom, shares her story of becoming a foster mom and her journey with her sweet baby girl.

Pastor Dan Royals shares the toll that loneliness and isolation take on all of us, specifically children and care during the holidays- His insights are incredibly timely and poignant. [email protected]

The holidays are lonely for kids without parents, our conversation with Jessica Valdez from Olive Crest shines some light on this topic. Jessica [email protected] 

The importance of thankfulness during the holidays, as seen through the lens of kids and care. Today we talk with Sophia, our former foster youth and subject matter expert, as she shares the impact of family for foster children.https://imsomebody.org/

The largest event of its type in the country for foster children; Checking in with Lorie Padilla and Kawika Keliikuli on an event that blesses foster and shelter children during the holidays here in los [email protected] 

I am very excited for you to meet Gary Hall. He heads up a program called Hollywood Impact Studios. This program works with people who are incarcerated or recently released from incarceration? It provides them with training for jobs found in the entertainment industry this unique program has had a transformative impact on so many men's lives that have found themselves at a difficult crossroads. [email protected] 

Christina from finally family homes talks with us about how we can host a family in our home by renting them a room. This is a great tool to help keep our young people aging out of foster care from ending up on the [email protected]

Today our conversation with Nancy, Rodas takes us to Rancho San Antonio, this youth diversion program is an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system, in hopes to close the revolving door that often happens with youth who have had a run-in with the law, by providing support and resources to these young people. [email protected]. sanantonio.org

Often times the role of a father can be undervalued, certainly that has been the case for many single dads. Today we talked with Dr. Allen-Michael Graves from Good Plus Foundation, where he works to support dad’s and help them find their value, focus, strategies, and resources to become a better father. Goodplusfoundation.org

Corey Halloran from Care Portal shares how this ministry is a great entry point for anyone who wants to find a way to impact of  vulnerable children, and doesn't know where to start and either you have  a lot of resources or not. [email protected] careportal.org

Today's conversation is particularly impactful, as we continue with Part 2 of our conversation with Calvin Smith, who was raised in a foster home most of his life and then at age 22 became a foster dad and end navigating through the loss of his son and the importance of faith and God's presence throughout his [email protected]

Today's conversation is particularly impactful, as we begin Part 1 of our talk with Calvin Smith, who was raised in an  foster home most of his life and then at age 22 became a foster dad and the importance of faith and God's presence throughout his life. [email protected]

 | I'm excited to talk to today with Dave Cox from ZOE, Who's work in human trafficking, rescue and restoration is making a difference around the world in particularly here in Los Angeles.https://gozoe.org/ [email protected]

I am excited to share my conversation with Lesley from we Foster LA as we talk about getting resources to new moms and how we all can be part of hosting showers for these expectant parents.wefosterla.org

Valley Food Bank located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley rides food boxes for families experiencing food insecurity. We distributed through local churches. Today we talk with. Josie Casarrubias, Director of the Valley Food bank about the issues of food and security and how the valley food bank is making a difference. [email protected]; https://www.erescuemission.org/

 | Josie Casarrubias, Director of Home Again one of the facilities ran by rescue mission alliance. We talk about how home again provides resources and restorations and families experiencing homelessness all in the name of Christ. [email protected]; https://www.erescuemission.org/

Human trafficking is a complicated issue, especially when it involves kids. Today on the show, I talk with Shannon Sergey, founder and CEO of Forever Found,and Sara human trafficking victim that was able to go through Forever Found program, an organization that works to help to restore the lives of children who have been trafficked. http://www.foreverfound.org/

Today I share a microphone with Scott Urata who works for an organization called Foster Love. I do extraordinary work with foster kids and bringing siblings-who have been separated through foster care- together to celebrate at Disneyland. https://fosterlove.com/

Talking with Lisa Cox from Hope Gardens Union rescue Mission today and one of the graduates from the program Denise Galaza, and how  they work to provide women and children have a safe place to live while they receive counseling, training, encouragement, and the real help they need to escape homelessness forever. "[email protected]

Talking with Edy Bernal from the Pregnancy Counseling Center about how an ultrasound can save a life and how their mission is tooffer help, hope and truth by empowering individuals to make healthy and life-affirming choices regarding [email protected] https://pregnanthelp4u.org/

In the studio today, we had a great conversation with Ryan Mcdonald from Foster the City where he believes there is A church for every child. He is passionate about equipping churches to provide loving homes for children in foster care. and how you can take your first step as a church as an individual or family.https://fosterthecity.org/

Today we talk with Chanel on the risks of aging out of the foster system without a caring family to support you. We would like to connect with Chanel. Please reach out to me. [email protected]

Tige Charity and I talk about how Kids in the Spotlight helps foster youth heal and grow through the power of storytelling and filmmaking. [email protected]

Today we talk about children experiencing homelessness and how they faces instability, fear, and a loss of safety, essentials every child needs to thrive and the work HOPE is doing to impact these kids, [email protected]

Destiny's Story of Foster to Adoption [email protected]

I am super excited about this series. One of my friends and a staff member at Shepherd is becoming a new foster to adopt dad and we are going to chronicle his journey and this is the first show in that series. I'm excited for you to meet Kawika [email protected]

Today we talk about the groundbreaking efforts in LA County has made to engage faith faith community in the work of foster children and care. With our special guest, Dominique [email protected]

Alan Smyth was in the studio today to talk about the challenges with human trafficking and minors, the work they are doing to rescue and restore these children something you won't want to miss. [email protected]

On today’s program, we discuss sanctity of life with Talitha Phillips from Clara’s Health and the important to love people through all their decisions, even if we don’t agree with them. WWW.clarishealth.org [email protected]

Kurt Tuffendsam  and Ivette Cortes talk about what it’s like to be homeless and the incredible work that Mission Rise is doing.