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
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
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 families
00:35 – Heartbreaking feedback from students
01:11 – Why the community center matters
01:54 – Listening and guiding with empathy
02:27 – How hope grows through mentorship
04:11 – Real stories from the Troy Rec
05:12 – What today’s youth are facing
06:06 – Building connection through respect
07:37 – The power of honest conversation
10:42 – Understanding kinship care
11:39 – Statistics behind the stories
13:51 – Why community support is essential
18:34 – Creating a welcoming environment
21:55 – Why consistent adults matter
22:59 – How to get involved at the Troy Rec
23:50 – What makes a great volunteer
25:41 – Creating a safe, inclusive space
31:29 – The role of unstructured time
35:31 – How to start volunteering
38:57 – Final thoughts & call to action
Episode Topics & Timeline
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
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.
Complete this 2-minute non-committal interest form if you’d like to engage in caring for kids through youth mentoring with Lisa and her staff.
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.
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.
00:00 Building a Caring Community
01:00 Introduction to the Podcast
01:31 Meet Sarah Pierce
02:09 Sarah's Mentoring Journey
03:54 Lessons from Entrepreneurship
05:32 The Power of Showing Up
07:20 Inviting Young Adults to Mentor
08:34 Building Relationships with Kids
24:59 The Importance of Silence and Listening
28:05 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
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.
00:00 Dan's Invitation
00:39 Welcome to the Podcast
01:10 Meet Dan "The Man" Cain
02:08 Dan's Mentoring Journey
03:59 Dan's Current Mentoring Activities
09:17 Tips for Effective Mentoring - Tip 1
12:06 Tip #2
15:23 Tip #3
18:05 The Impact of Technology on Human Connection
18:28 Creating a Safe Space for Kids
19:05 Tech-Wise Tribe: Disconnecting from Technology
19:37 Tip #4
20:08 The Importance of Consistency in Mentoring
21:22 Finding Your Groove in Mentoring
22:30 The Power of Showing Up
27:02 Tip #5
27:06 Engaging with Kids Through Open-Ended Questions
28:28 Tip # 6 - The Craft of Building Relationships
31:04 Final Reflections and Call to Action
32:48 Call to Action
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.
Can one hour a week change a life?
In a powerful conversation with Thomas, the new Executive Director of the Mentoring Partnership of Miami County, we’re reminded that small, consistent acts of care—like showing up—can radically impact a child’s life.
For Thomas, mentorship was personal. A mentor named Tim showed up, week after week, and became a safe space, a guide, and a lifeline during Thomas’s darkest moments. Today, Thomas is paying it forward, helping others become the person they needed when they were younger.
Across Miami County, 26+ partner organizations—from the Lincoln Community Center to Troy Skate Church—are pouring into kids with harder stories. These kids don’t need perfection. They need presence.
Whether you're a young adult with flexibility, a retiree with wisdom to share, part of a business, church, or civic group—there’s a place for you. The need is real. The opportunity is now.
Be part of the story. Fill out the no-commitment interest form. Because showing up for a child might just change their life—and yours too.
(00:00) The Impact of Mentorship
(00:31) Welcome to the Podcast
(00:31) Introduction to the Podcast
(01:02) Meet Thomas: New Executive Director
(02:34) Thomas's Vision and Mission
(04:39) Community Partners and Their Roles
(08:20) Thomas's Personal Story
(18:19) Engaging Different Community Groups
(27:19) The Role of Retirees and Young Adults
(31:34) Final Thoughts and Call to Action
(36:20) Call to Action
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.
We welcome Dennis Faughn who shows up for kids at the Troy Rec every week.
He helps retirees find their purpose and fit through a community of retirees who are re-imagining retirement - The Greater Dayton Refirement Network.
The Mentoring Partnership of Miami County guides you in finding the powerful stories of transformation when caring and consistent adults show up for kids from hard places.
We want to welcome you into the growing village, the community, who is caring for kids, together.
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
In this episode of the Mentoring Partnership of Miami County Podcast, Paul Hemminger sits down with Caleb Ingram of Declare to explore how churches and community members can come together to support at-risk youth. Caleb shares powerful personal mentoring stories, practical steps for getting involved with local nonprofits, and inspiring insight into God’s call to compassion, service, and showing up for young people who need hope.
Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, volunteer, or someone who cares deeply about kids in your community, this conversation highlights how simple, consistent mentorship can change a child’s life. Caleb explains how churches can partner with nonprofits, how everyday people can become mentors, and why Miami County needs more caring adults stepping up today.
Topics include:
– The power of youth mentoring
– How churches can serve at-risk kids
– Partnerships between churches and nonprofits
– Faith in action and community compassion
– Personal stories of transformation through mentoring
– How to start your mentoring journey
– Encouragement, prayer, and a call to live out God’s mission
If you want to make a difference, grow your impact, or learn how God might be calling you to show up for kids in Miami County, this episode will encourage and equip you.
Listen now and discover how you can help change a child’s story.
00:00 Introduction: Witnessing Growth and Challenges
00:27 The Power of Mentoring Youth
01:16 Navigating God's Mission in Everyday Life
01:52 A Prayer for Guidance and Support
02:41 Personal Stories of Mentorship
03:40 The Role of Churches and Nonprofits
06:02 Challenges and Rewards of Mentorship
12:36 Encouragement to Get Involved
22:48 How to Start Your Mentoring Journey
27:11 Closing Thoughts and Prayer
28:25 Call to Action: Subscribe and Share
To connect with Jon or Sami, go through The Mentoring Partnership's website by filling out this 2-minute form and choosing Skate Church as the organization you are hoping to connect with.
Mentoring Partnership of Miami County
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.
There is a kind kid with a hard story waiting for you. And there is a new friend, another adult out who is already on the front lines, ready to welcome you into this community. Let us introduce you to them.
Listen in. Share the conversations. And take a small next step forward. Become a part of the village shaping our future—one mentoring relationship at a time.