Join Whatcom County's own Joy Gilfilen as she welcomes special guests Mel Hoover and Rose Eddington of Mel Rose Ministries.

This isn't just encouragement; it's wisdom, knowledge, hope, and a vision for navigating turbulent times. Mel and Rose, elders wise in years, share profound insights from their lives spanning eras from the Civil War to the present. They dive into how historical shifts, media, and cultural narratives have shaped our understanding of justice, community, and nationhood.

Prepare for a deep conversation that untangles the "snaggletooth" layers of chaos in our society, from the impact of early television to the complexities of Christian nationalism and the true meaning of "we the people." This episode challenges listeners to ground themselves, confront the forces of oppression, and consider how obscene wealth impacts our collective well-being and the planet.

Don't miss this crucial dialogue on learning from the past to shape a more just future for all generations.

Find iChange Justice every Thursday locally and everywhere you get your podcasts.

This Thursday dive into the latest episode of iChange Justice podcast with our host Joy Gilfilen featuring Doug Gustafson, Chairman of HomesNOW, a Whatcom County 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness. This isn't just about housing; it's about empowerment. 🏡

Doug shares how Homes Now's innovative, tenant-run model is transforming lives right here in Whatcom County. You'll hear about success stories like the North Haven Tiny Home Community, where residents are not only housed but also actively involved in building and managing their own shelters. This unique approach provides housing and equips individuals with valuable construction and life skills, fostering true self-sufficiency. 💪

"We're not just providing a place to live; we're empowering people to be part of the solution to their own housing situation," says Doug. "This model proves that when government, community, and those experiencing homelessness work together, everyone wins."

The episode also highlights how HomesNow has driven significant changes in local policy, transforming arbitrary housing limits into sustainable, community-driven solutions through collaborative efforts and a pragmatic mindset.

Discover the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the replicable strategies that make HomesNow a beacon of hope and a blueprint for other communities. Tune in to understand how empathy, practical problem-solving, and collaboration can lead to transformative social change.

In a world grappling with escalating societal challenges, the iChange Justice podcast pulls back the curtains on the intricate dance between local realities and national implications within the criminal justice system. Hosts Joy Gilfilen and Karen Ball invite listeners to journey into Whatcom County, Washington—a seemingly small corner of the Pacific Northwest that, as they meticulously reveal, serves as a powerful microcosm for the struggles and solutions facing communities across the entire nation.

From the unique pressures of border security to the pervasive influence of the prison industrial complex, Gilfilen, with decades of on-the-ground experience, paints a vivid picture of the "Snaggletooth Dragon" of conflicts and paradoxes that erode public safety and economic well-being. Ball, a seasoned veteran in criminal justice and social change, expertly guides the conversation, prompting Gilfilen to distill complex global issues into tangible local impacts.

But this episode is not merely a lament; it's a call to action rooted in hope. As they delve into the origins and application of the "Joy Triangle Model," Gilfilen and Ball underscore the profound power of local engagement, authentic leadership, and the conscious pivot from fear-based thinking to regenerative action. They remind us that true change, like law enforcement itself, begins at the local level, where neighbors once helped neighbors and communities cultivated profound care. Through their impassioned dialogue, listeners are left with a renewed sense of possibility: that by understanding and addressing the nuances of a place like Whatcom County, we can indeed change justice, not just for one community, but for all.