Strengthening Communities

Strengthening Communities Season 2, Episode #5: Community Connection

In this episode of the Strengthening Communities podcast, Mark and Mike sit down with County Partner and former Access employee Tricia Malott. Together, they reflect on over 40 years of shared history and look back at the early days of community-based human services. Tune in to hear how rallying a community and thinking outside the box (and the treatment plan) remains the ultimate blueprint for care.

Strengthening Communities Season 2, Episode #4: Impact Comes Full Circle

In this episode, we continue our 50th anniversary reflection by exploring the power of lived experience, relationships, and purpose in action. As Access Services looks back on five decades of impact, hosts Mike and Mark are joined by Marissa, Director of the Bucks County LIFE program, whose journey with Access Services comes full circle.
Marissa shares her story of first being served as a young adult through the TIP program and how that experience helped her discover her purpose and her path forward. Now, more than a decade later, she returns as a leader - bringing with her a deep commitment to peer support, authentic relationships, and creating space for others to define success on their own terms.

Strengthening Communities Season 2, Episode #3: The House on Hamilton Street

In this episode of the Strengthening Communities podcast, hosts Mark and Mike sit down with Don and Terri Bredamus (former house parents of a group home in the early 1980s) and their daughter Kristie. Together, they revisit what it was like to raise three young children while also supporting three men with intellectual disabilities as part of everyday family life.

Strengthening Communities Season 2, Episode #2: A Lookback with Rob Reid

In this episode of Strengthening Communities, hosts Mark and Mike sit down with former President & CEO Rob Reid to revisit the early years of Access Services and the mission that has guided the organization for five decades.
 
Rob reflects on the pivotal shift in the late 1970s and early ’80s as Access Services helped lead the movement from institutional care to community-based living for people with developmental disabilities. From the impact of the landmark Halderman v. Pennhurst case to the challenges of opening the first group homes, Rob shares powerful first-hand stories from a time when there were no templates, just a committed team determined to do the right thing.
 
Together, Mark, Mike and Rob explore how person-centered support evolved, how the team worked to build trust within neighborhoods, and how innovative models emerged from listening deeply to people’s needs. They also reflect on the personal impact of this work: the relationships that shaped them, the life lessons learned, and the shared commitment to stepping into the gaps where support is needed most.
 
This episode offers a meaningful, behind-the-scenes look at the values, stories, and mission that have defined Access Services for 50 years, and continue to strengthen communities today.

Strengthening Communities Season 2, Episode #1: Looking Back on 50 Years

The Season 2 premiere of the Strengthening Communities podcast marks the start of Access Services’ 50th anniversary year with a powerful look back at the organization’s roots and lasting impact. Through archival stories, staff reflections, and a moving feature on Bob, a man who transitioned from crisis into a thriving Lifesharing home, the episode highlights Access’s unwavering commitment to helping people live full, connected lives in their communities. From pioneering early deinstitutionalization efforts to championing individualized, relationship‑centered support, the conversation showcases how “one person at a time” has grown into a legacy of meaningful change for thousands of individuals, families, and neighborhoods across the region.

Strengthening Communities Episode #10: Hunger & Homelessness in Our Communities, Part 2​

In this powerful episode of the Strengthening Communities Podcast, we continue our two-part exploration of hunger, homelessness, and the lived experiences of our neighbors facing housing insecurity. This installment turns toward the reality of homelessness in our region, featuring a moving interview with Matt, a former resident of the Tent City encampment in Pottstown, and a first-hand account of what it takes to survive outdoors through brutal winters.
Joined by longtime volunteers John Niarhos and Rob Heayn from Pottstown Beacon of Hope, a seasonal winter warming center, we hear candid reflections on resilience, leadership, and the quiet acts of human connection that make survival possible. Matt’s story brings a deep personal perspective to the crisis of homelessness.
 
Resources:
Code Blue Shelters: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1L91TI7P9GUvMQEoM_9vwd1lvE2dach0&ll=40.20692792666611%2C-75.48862365000001&z=10
Amazon List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Q1W81282VZII/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
Understanding Homelessness: https://www.accessservices.org/understanding-homelessness/

Strengthening Communities Episode #9: Hunger & Homelessness in Our Communities, Part 1

In today’s episode, Mark and Mike dive into one of the most pressing issues facing our communities: hunger. Listen as they explore what food insecurity really looks like, why it’s on the rise, and how organizations like Martha’s Choice Marketplace are not only feeding families but building connections that transform lives. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the statistics, and learn how each of us can play a role in creating stronger, more compassionate communities.
Resources:
Martha's Choice Marketplace: https://www.marthaschoicemarketplace.com/
HopeWorx: https://www.hopeworxinc.org/

Strengthening Communities Episode #8: Reimagining Recovery, Part 2 - The Wisdom of Wellness

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Mike, Mark, and their guests explore the transformative impact of lived experience in shaping community, recovery, and mental health support. Featuring voices from Creating Increased Connections of RHD and Minding Your Minds, the conversation centers around how individuals who have faced challenges, such as mental health struggles, can become vital contributors to their communities.
Listeners will hear inspiring stories of resilience, including the journey of Mike Nelson, who shares how his personal experiences have fueled his passion for creating inclusive, non-judgmental spaces for healing and growth where people can find their purpose. The episode also features Kristen Harootunian from Minding Your Mind, a nonprofit focused on reducing mental health stigma through youth engagement and storytelling.
This episode is a moving reminder that recovery is not just about overcoming hardship, it's about discovering purpose, building relationships, and recognizing the inherent value in every person’s story.
 
Learn more about the resources mentioned:
Creating Increased Connections: https://www.ciconnections.org/ 
Integrated Diversity Education: https://www.ideyas.org/
Minding Your Mind: https://mindingyourmind.org/

Strengthening Communities Episode #7: Reimagining Recovery, Part 1 – Addiction and Community

In this episode of the Strengthening Community Podcast, we begin a two-part series called Reimagining Recovery. Guests Ivan Rosa, John Niarhos, and Ryan Schweiger share both professional insights and lived experiences with addiction and recovery. Together, with hosts Mark and Mike, they explore how substance use impacts families, workplaces, and neighborhoods, and highlight the importance of connection, compassion, and community support in breaking stigma and fostering healing.
 
Learn more about the resources mentioned:
St. Luke's Penn Foundation: https://www.pennfoundation.org/ 
MCORT: https://www.accessservices.org/services/mobile-crisis/#mcort
MontCo Department of Public Safety: https://www.montgomerycountypa.gov/132/Public-Safety 

Strengthening Communities Episode #6: Disability, Inclusion & Belonging Part II

This episode of the Strengthening the Community podcast continues the discussion on disability and belonging, featuring Bev Weinberg of Integrate for Good and Angela McFarland of Jake’s Baristas. Both share how their organizations create spaces for people with disabilities to connect, contribute, and thrive, whether through leadership programs, inclusive service projects, or a welcoming coffee shop & open mic nights. The conversation emphasizes that belonging is a human need, not a special one, and that true inclusion comes from proximity, safety, and opportunities to give back. Stories of individuals working in competitive employment, volunteering, and building confidence illustrate how communities become stronger when everyone is valued and celebrated.
 
Learn more about Bev and Angela's organizations:
https://integrateforgood.org/
https://www.jakesbaristas.com/