Unsheltered Conversations

About Unsheltered Conversations

Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, a podcast from HomeAid America where we take an honest look at homelessness and the people, policies, and partnerships working to end it. In each episode, we'll talk with builders, nonprofit leaders, advocates, and those with lived experience to explore the deeper stories that often go untold.

Publisher

HomeAid

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

30 Jul 2025

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

33 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   Lisa Wright, Mina Koplin, & Nate Meinzer — A Foundation for Independence: Helping Young Adults Move Beyond Homelessness

   Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America where we explore the human stories, partnerships, and solutions shaping the conversation around homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. For most young people, turning 18 doesn’t mean suddenly becoming completely independent. There may still be parents to call, a bedroom to return to, help with tuition or a car repair, advice about a job, or simply someone who can say, “Come home.” But what happens when that safety net isn’t there? Salt Lake County Youth Services’ Milestone Transitional Living Program serves young adults ages 18–21 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, helping them build the stability, skills, relationships, and resources necessary to move toward independence. HomeAid Utah recently partnered with Salt Lake County Youth Services, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Concord Homes, and dozens of trade partners to completely renovate a four-bedroom Milestone home in Sandy. The result is more than a renovated house. It is a place where young adults can begin building their futures. This conversation explores youth homelessness, the transition to adulthood, the importance of supportive services, the role of dignified housing, and what can happen when government, nonprofits, faith communities, and the building industry work together. Guests: Lisa Wright — Executive Director, HomeAid Utah Mina Koplin — Section Manager, Salt Lake County Youth Services Nathan “Nate” Meinzer — Assistant Director of External Operations, Utah Office of Homelessness Services Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.homeaid.org/).

2. 

   29 Sept 2026

   Amber Celmer, Karen Garner, & Christopher Brown — Grizzly Flats: Rebuilding Home After the Caldor Fire

   Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America where we explore the human stories, partnerships, and solutions shaping the conversation around homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. Five years after the Caldor Fire devastated Grizzly Flats, some families were still living in RVs on the properties where their homes once stood. Rebuilding after a disaster is far more complicated than simply replacing a house. Insurance gaps, escalating construction costs, building requirements, limited resources, and the loss of federal individual assistance left some longtime residents unable to return to permanent homes. El Dorado County began looking for another solution. That effort eventually brought together county government, HomeAid Sacramento, the building industry, nonprofit organizations, and the families themselves to create an innovative pathway home. On August 17, 2026, five years to the day after the fire swept through Grizzly Flats, the first two families received the keys to their newly completed homes. This episode explores what happened during those five years, why traditional systems weren’t enough for some families, how an unusual public-private-nonprofit partnership emerged, and what other communities can learn from Grizzly Flats. At its heart, this is a conversation about what it really means to rebuild home. Amber Celmer is Executive Director of HomeAid Sacramento. Karen Garner is Director of Planning and Building for El Dorado County and has been deeply involved in finding solutions for Grizzly Flats residents trying to rebuild. Christopher Brown is a longtime leader in the Sacramento homebuilding industry, Principal of NEXT New Homes Group and NEXT Crafted, and one of the building-industry leaders helping bring these homes to life. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.homeaid.org/).

3. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Scott Sheppard, Doniqua Lewis, & Tony Childress — More Than a Bed: Building Security, Stability, and Hope for Children and Families

   Welcome to Unsheltered Conversations, the podcast from HomeAid America where we explore the human stories, partnerships, and solutions shaping the conversation around homelessness. This podcast is hosted by Scott Larson, CEO of HomeAid America. One of the beautiful things about HomeAid is that while we're known for building housing and shelter, sometimes one of the most meaningful things we can build is much simpler. A bed. For most of us, a bed is something we probably don't think twice about. But for a child whose family is experiencing financial hardship, housing instability, displacement, or another crisis, having their own bed can represent so much more than a place to sleep. Some of these children may be entering foster care or living with relatives through a kinship placement. Others may be able to remain safely at home with parents who love and care deeply for them but are simply going through a season when their resources don't match their needs. In either situation, a bed can represent: Stability. Safety. Comfort. Dignity. Belonging. And perhaps most importantly, it can tell a child: You matter. There is a place for you here. Today, we're joined by three people who have come together to help make that possible. Scott Sheppard, Executive Director of HomeAid North Texas. Doniqua Lewis, Regional Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Tony Childress, Owner and President of ChildressEngineering Services. Together, we're going to talk about why these beds are needed, the children and families they serve, how the North Texas building industry has rallied around this effort, and what can happen when government, nonprofits, businesses, and volunteers come together around a very practical need. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HomeAid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.homeaid.org/).

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.