Strengthening Communities

In this episode of the Strengthening Communities podcast, Mark and Mike welcome Dave Eckert, Senior Director of Intersect at Access Services, to reflect on his 25-year journey with Access Services. Dave discusses the origins and evolution of Intersect, one of our divisions designed to bridge the gap between mental health and faith communities.
 
Learn more about Intersect: https://www.accessservices.org/intersect/
Grab tickets to our Walkthrough: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/50th-anniversary-walkthrough-experience-tickets-1991712185763

In our latest episode of Strengthening Communities, Mark and Mike sit down with Nathan Gerhard, Managing Director of Intellectual Disabilities and Autism at Access Services.
Nathan breaks down how smart technology - from smartwatches to non-intrusive sensor systems - is revolutionizing support for individuals with disabilities.
 
Learn more about SimplyHome: https://simply-home.com/

When addressing complex crises like substance use and addiction, real impact requires genuine collaboration.
In the latest episode of the Strengthening Communities podcast, Mark and Mike sit down with members of the Montgomery County Overdose Response Team (MCORT) - a unique hybrid team combining mobile health paramedics with certified recovery specialists from Access Services.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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/