Mended Futures | Presented By FIVE18 Family Services and Vision30

Presented by FIVE18, the tenth and final episode of Season Two of the Mended Futures Podcast features entrepreneur and educator LaShonda Brown. What started as a YouTube channel has grown into a thriving online community, where entrepreneurs encourage one another and learn together. LaShonda is passionate about helping people of all ages and backgrounds confidently embrace technology and new opportunities.In this encouraging conversation, LaShonda shares insights on setting micro-goals, embracing imperfection, and finding balance through intentional living. She reminds listeners that everything you learn is part of the process, and while you may not know how your story will end, God does. Through practical wisdom and personal experience, LaShonda encourages us to keep taking faithful steps forward, knowing that growth happens one step at a time and that what we do truly matters.

Presented by FIVE18, episode nine of season two features Doug Waldo of Best Christian Workplaces as he shares his journey into Kingdom-focused leadership and the profound difference meaningful work can make. Doug discusses how Christian organizations can create healthier, more engaging workplaces where employees feel valued, inspired, and connected to a greater mission. Drawing from 23 years of research and a proven framework built around eight key drivers of organizational health, he explores topics such as inspirational leadership, healthy communication, mission alignment, employee growth, and sustainable strategy. Through data-driven insights and practical tools, Doug explains how organizations can identify strengths, address growth areas, and cultivate workplaces marked by energy, enthusiasm, commitment, and compassion to help teams flourish while advancing the work God has called them to do.For more information about FIVE18, visit us at https://five18.orgAt Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation to FIVE18 Family Services at https://five18.org/give/

Presented by FIVE18, the eighth episode of season two features Mollie Cash, a Case Worker for Virginia Cares, who gives listeners a glimpse into the beautiful work they’re doing in and around our community. Mollie leverages her own lived experiences of mercy and reconciliation to empower individuals who are reintegrating into society following incarceration. This episode focuses on Mollie’s encouraging testimony and the ways in which she’s meeting the often unrecognized needs of those exiting the prison system. The conversation also confronts many of the realities of incarceration and what it means for those moving forward. Mollie’s story is a beautiful reminder of God’s mercy, which rewrites the stories of those He loves and leads them into the broken places to share about his love.For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation to Five18 Family Services.

Presented by FIVE18, the seventh episode of season two features Luke Eberle, Associate Development Officer for Samaritan’s feet, who gives listeners a glimpse into the beautiful work they’re doing around the globe. The non-profit organization serves children in need worldwide through providing shoes as a foundation for hope and a better life. Luke shares about how the mission runs so much deeper than meeting just a physical need, and how a simple act of service can lead to a life transformed through grace and love. The conversation also confronts many of the often overlooked barriers and challenges associated with serving communities in need. Luke’s story is a delightful reminder of God’s compassion, which compels ministries such as Samaritan’s Feet to reach and serve those whom he loves.For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation to Five18 Family Services.

In the sixth episode of season two of Mended Futures Podcast, Amy Keenan-Amago, founder of the Arc Studio, invites listeners into the heart of her journey — one that led to the creation of a studio devoted to artists with developmental disabilities. In this episode she offers a tender glimpse into daily life at the Arc Studio, sharing the beauty of the artwork and the richness of the lives behind each piece. This conversation is a gentle reminder of the power of art, the dignity of every creator, and the meaningful ways creativity can expand lives — both for those who make the art and those who are changed by it. For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation toFive18 Family Services.

In the fifth episode of the second season of the Mended Futures Podcast, Jeff Nitz, CEO of FIVE18, joins Evan and Liz to share thoughtful conversations about what 2026 holds. He speaks about advancing the Vision30 goal of placing every child in a safe home surrounded by a faithful community by 2030. Drawing on his own family of adopted and biological children, he reflects on what he’s learned about healing childhood trauma as a father and a Traumatologist. He also emphasizes the need for community nonprofits to link arms, walking side-by-side in a healing response for our community’s children. Finally, he invites listeners to consider their gifts, time, and resources, showing how each of us can play a part in a shared mission of hope and healing. In this, he lays out a pathway for realizing community healing by leaning on each other.For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation toFive18 Family Services.

Presented by FIVE18, our fourth, season two Mended Future Podcast episode features Dr. Jen Owen, Director of FIVE18 Counseling. She joins Evan and Liz to share about FIVE18’s Sensory Santa experience and how it serves to bring Christmas cheer to children with special needs. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into arranging a magical meeting with Santa, carefully designed to honor each child’s unique sensory needs and sensitivities. She also shares touching moments that have made the experience meaningful not just for the kids served, but for their families, and the FIVE18 staff who serve them.From our FIVE18 family, we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas! For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.At FIVE18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation to FIVE18 Family Services.

Presented by FIVE18, the third Mended Futures Podcast episode focuses on this Thanksgiving season. Hosts Evan and Liz reflect on how God has worked in their lives in 2025, generously providing “good and perfect gift[s].” They also share the rewarding opportunities God gave them to “do good works” this year and how He equipped them to best serve. Then, we invite you to listen in as staff across the FIVE18 family share their reasons to be thankful this season!From our FIVE18 family to yours, we warmly wish you the happiest of Thanksgiving seasons! For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation to Five18 Family Services.

Presented by FIVE18, the second Mended Futures Podcast episode introduces this season’s new host, Evan Burgener, a FIVE18 Donor Engagement Coordinator. In this interview, we explore:Why he decided to dedicate so much of himself to the FIVE18 missionWhat inspires him to intentionally value each person each dayThe details of how he serves our community in his roleWhat he’s most excited about for this season of the podcastHe also shares about the mantra that helps him navigate non-profit work on a daily basis: “For you, I will.”For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal!At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation to the following:Five18 Family Services

Presented by Five18, The Mended Futures Podcast is back for season 2! This week we have the pleasure of hearing from our new season 2 host, Liz Mahan. Liz is currently a Five18 Family Services Donor Care Coordinator. This episode introduces our new hosts, explores the ins and outs of donor engagement, and details life in the nonprofit space. Tune in monthly for more true stories about healing and reconciliation in and around our community.For more information about FIVE18, visit us here.Thank you to our sponsor, CarePortal!At Five18 Family Services, our mission is to build communities of faithful relationships to ensure children are safe and families are restored. Our vision positions every child in a thriving family that’s supported by a faithful community. Together, we can make it possible — one child, one family at a time.Join us in our mission to keep children and families safe. Consider a donation to one of the following:Five18 Family ServicesVision30