Mentoring Partnership of Miami County

Mentoring Partnership of Miami County
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  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Discover true stories of transformation from mentors, mentees, and partners across Miami County. The Mentoring Partnership of Miami County Podcast inspires community members to get involved in youth mentoring. Hear how mentoring changes lives, builds stronger communities, and creates brighter futures. Whether you're a current or potential mentor, community leader, or a champion of children, this podcast offers insight, encouragement, and connection. Be the person you needed. Start your mentoring journey today.

  1. The Hidden Reward of Mentoring: How Mentoring Brings Healing & Purpose to Adults | Dave Larson Pt. 2

    12/15/2025

    The Hidden Reward of Mentoring: How Mentoring Brings Healing & Purpose to Adults | Dave Larson Pt. 2

    What if the secret to solving the challenges facing our youth—and the lack of purpose felt by so many adults—was the same solution? In the powerful conclusion of our conversation, Dave Larson, Superintendent of the Miami County ESC, reveals why authentic, embodied relationships are infinitely more potent than any program in addressing the effects of childhood trauma recovery. This episode challenges the myth that you need to be perfect to help, arguing that our flaws and shared experiences are our greatest assets. Dave and Paul discuss the transformative, mutual healing that happens when an adult steps up for a child with a harder story. The reward for the volunteer mentor is a renewed sense of purpose that goes deeper than any career or hobby. If you are listening in Troy, Piqua, or Tipp City, Ohio, and you are looking for a meaningful way to make a difference right where you are, this is your invitation. The commitment is flexible, but the impact is profound. If you are ready to explore the fulfilling path of youth mentoring in the Miami County Ohio area, take the next step today: Fill out this no-commitment form to take the next step: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital

    29 min
  2. Every Child Deserves a Village: The Truth About Kids Today & How You Can Help with Superintendent Dave Larson | Part 1

    12/09/2025

    Every Child Deserves a Village: The Truth About Kids Today & How You Can Help with Superintendent Dave Larson | Part 1

    Kids today are facing more than most adults realize—and far more than many faced even a decade ago. Rising disconnection, childhood trauma, unstable home environments, and the loss of everyday supportive relationships have left too many young people in Miami County navigating life without the steady presence of a caring adult. In this powerful two-part conversation, Miami County ESC Superintendent Dave Larson opens up about the real state of our kids—what teachers, coaches, and school leaders are seeing every day, and why community-based youth mentoring has become one of the most urgent needs in our region. Dave shares personal stories of his own daughters walking through trauma, what he’s seen across classrooms and athletic fields, and why he believes every child—no matter their ZIP code, background, or family situation—deserves a village of supportive adults who won’t give up on them. You’ll hear: Why so many kids across Miami County feel disconnected and unseen What “kids from hard stories” truly face—and how healing relationships take root The gap that volunteer mentors can fill, especially for youth navigating poverty, instability, or trauma How simple, consistent presence—not expertise—changes a child’s trajectory Why rebuilding our county’s “relational village” may be the most important work we do Whether you’re from Troy, Piqua, Tipp City, Covington, Bradford, or somewhere in between, this conversation will expand your picture of what local kids are carrying—and how you can play a real role in changing their story. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could be the steady, encouraging adult a young person is waiting for… this episode is your sign. Take the next step toward becoming a mentor—or simply explore what’s possible.Fill out this no-commitment form:https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital

    31 min
  3. Birthday Candle Lights in the Darkness: WLBP Pt. 2 with Shelly Calvert

    12/01/2025

    Birthday Candle Lights in the Darkness: WLBP Pt. 2 with Shelly Calvert

    In this heartfelt conversation, Paul sits down with Shelly Calvert to explore We Love Birthday Parties and how simple monthly celebrations can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Learn how joy, consistency, and affirming words help kids from hard places begin to heal from childhood trauma, rebuild confidence, and open the door to long-term mentoring relationships across Miami County. From Troy to Piqua and Tipp City, discover how local volunteers are making a tangible difference for at-risk youth. If you want to help a child thrive, complete this 2-minute, no-commitment interest form to explore how you can become a mentor and support kids in your community: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital

    43 min
  4. We're So Glad You Were Born - We Love Birthday Parties w/ Shelly Calvert Part 1

    11/30/2025

    We're So Glad You Were Born - We Love Birthday Parties w/ Shelly Calvert Part 1

    Why Celebrating a Child’s Birthday Can Heal Trauma — We Love Birthday Parties What if a simple birthday party could change the trajectory of a child’s life? Join us as Shelly Calvert, founder of We Love Birthday Parties, shares how simple celebrations bring healing, dignity, and hope to kids from hard places in Miami County and beyond. Discover powerful stories of childhood poverty, birthday boxes, afterschool programs, and the life-changing impact of showing up for a child. If you want to mentor youth, volunteer locally, or support struggling families, this episode will inspire your next step. Shelly shares: The moment God stirred her heart to serve kids in foster care and beyond How a birthday party became a pathway to healing and hope The incredible impact volunteers can make—sometimes in just one hour The stories that keep her going when the work feels heavy Why community-driven compassion is essential for collective well-being If you’ve ever wondered how to make a real difference in a child’s life—or how small acts of love can transform a whole community—this episode will move you and give you a clear path to get involved. 👉 Take a simple next step: Complete this quick 2-minute, non-committal interest form to explore how you can help care for at-risk kids throughout Miami County: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital 🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rsUGUdINI48 00:00 – Kids who don’t know their birthday & the heart behind the mission 01:00 – Why birthdays matter so deeply for children 02:40 – Podcast introduction 03:00 – Who Shelly is and the vision of We Love Birthday Parties 04:20 – “How are the children?” — What kids are facing today 06:00 – Childhood trauma, overwhelmed parents & unseen stories 07:25 – Why one caring adult changes everything 09:00 – How volunteers can support and get involved 10:10 – What a typical birthday party looks like 11:50 – Different volunteer roles and personality fits 13:40 – Easy on-ramps to mentoring 15:00 – The message every child needs to hear 16:25 – How centers partner with We Love Birthday Parties 18:00 – Kids in deep poverty & the need for expanding the mission 19:40 – The “unseen mission” of birthday boxes 21:00 – What’s inside a birthday box & why it matters 22:40 – The impact on parents and family bonding 24:20 – Stories of healing and dignity 25:45 – How donations directly support families 28:00 – Why booking the event space fuels the mission 29:30 – The win-win of community rentals 31:00 – The essential emotional need only this mission fills 32:30 – Final encouragement & invitation to take a step 33:20 – Bonus: Why Part 2 is worth your time

    34 min
  5. Getting the Waitlist to Zero: Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Miami Valley with Paul Rubenstein

    11/25/2025

    Getting the Waitlist to Zero: Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Miami Valley with Paul Rubenstein

    In this episode, Paul Rubenstein from Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami Valley shares how one caring adult can change the trajectory of a child’s life—and why the goal of bringing the youth mentoring waitlist to zero matters now more than ever. We explore how mentoring works, why so many local kids are waiting, and the practical steps anyone can take to make a life-changing impact in their own community. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make a difference, this conversation will show you just how simple, meaningful, and powerful mentoring can be. 👉 Interested in exploring mentorship? Complete this 2-minute, non-committal form: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital 🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BshvYWMigCs

    34 min
  6. For 500 Kids, "Hope Has an Address" at The Troy Rec w/ Kelly Snyder

    10/31/2025

    For 500 Kids, "Hope Has an Address" at The Troy Rec w/ Kelly Snyder

    For 500 kids in Troy “Hope has an address”—and it’s The Troy Rec.In this powerful episode, Executive Director Kelly Snyder shares what life is really like for local youth growing up in hard circumstances: parental incarceration, unstable homes, loneliness, and the painful reality of not having a trusted adult to talk to. Kelly reveals how the Troy Rec Center becomes a safe haven for these kids—offering belonging, mentorship, honest conversations, and a consistent place to simply be themselves. You’ll hear real stories, eye-opening statistics, and a behind-the-scenes look at how mentors change the trajectory of a child’s life. If you’ve ever wondered how to support at-risk youth in Miami County, this conversation will both break your heart and inspire you to take meaningful action. ✅ Want to explore becoming a mentor (no commitment required)?Fill out the 2-minute interest form → https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital 🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/E_hFS5I5z3g 00:00 – The impact of incarceration on families00:35 – Heartbreaking feedback from students01:11 – Why the community center matters01:54 – Listening and guiding with empathy02:27 – How hope grows through mentorship04:11 – Real stories from the Troy Rec05:12 – What today’s youth are facing06:06 – Building connection through respect07:37 – The power of honest conversation10:42 – Understanding kinship care11:39 – Statistics behind the stories13:51 – Why community support is essential18:34 – Creating a welcoming environment21:55 – Why consistent adults matter22:59 – How to get involved at the Troy Rec23:50 – What makes a great volunteer25:41 – Creating a safe, inclusive space31:29 – The role of unstructured time35:31 – How to start volunteering38:57 – Final thoughts & call to action Episode Topics & Timeline

    40 min
  7. Advocating for Kids in Court - CASA with Nikki Sherck

    10/16/2025

    Advocating for Kids in Court - CASA with Nikki Sherck

    https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital Complete this 2-minute, non-committal interest form if you’d like to explore how you can help care for at-risk kids in Miami County. Join Paul Hemminger as he interviews Nikki Sherck, Executive Director of CASA of Miami County (Court Appointed Special Advocates), about the vital role volunteers play in advocating for children in the foster system. Learn how one caring adult can transform a child’s life and how you can get involved through The Mentoring Partnership of Miami County. Episode Highlights: What CASA volunteers do and why it matters Real-life stories of kids impacted by CASA How mentoring and advocacy intersect How anyone in Miami County — Troy, Piqua, Tipp City — can serve Get Involved:✅ Fill out the quick interest form: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital✅ Learn more about CASA Miami County: https://miamicountycasa.org✅ Connect with The Mentoring Partnership: https://tr.ee/mpmc_digital 00:00 A Heartfelt Story and Introduction 00:22 Opportunities for After School Programs 01:15 Volunteer Contributions and Impact 01:49 Basketball Leagues and Mentorship 02:09 Personal Stories and Community Impact 03:24 Introduction to the Podcast 03:56 Meet Kim Rupert and the Lincoln Community Center 06:33 Afterschool Program Details 18:21 Summer Program Overview 20:55 Creative and Fun Learning Activities 23:26 Creative Opportunities for Community Involvement 24:26 Workforce Development and Skill Building 28:16 Volunteer Coaches and Sports Programs 31:13 Community Events and Volunteer Needs 35:12 The Importance of Presence and Mentorship 36:53 Heartfelt Stories and Impact 42:38 Invitation to Get Involved

    44 min
  8. Mentoring, Tutoring, & Coaching at Lincoln Community Center with Kim Rupert

    09/29/2025

    Mentoring, Tutoring, & Coaching at Lincoln Community Center with Kim Rupert

    Lincoln Community Center cares for kids in Troy and you'll learn how you can too. Listen to the first 3-minutes to get a high-level overview. Complete this 2-minute non-committal interest form if you’d like to engage in caring for kids through youth mentoring or a variety of other ways. Check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel for a video of this interview, shorts, or other conversations we have around mentoring kids from hard places Learn more about The Mentoring Partnership. Skim, listen, and share other podcast episodes on multiple platforms here.

    46 min
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Discover true stories of transformation from mentors, mentees, and partners across Miami County. The Mentoring Partnership of Miami County Podcast inspires community members to get involved in youth mentoring. Hear how mentoring changes lives, builds stronger communities, and creates brighter futures. Whether you're a current or potential mentor, community leader, or a champion of children, this podcast offers insight, encouragement, and connection. Be the person you needed. Start your mentoring journey today.

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