Our Community, Our Mission

Weekly updates and conversations from Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries!

Our Community, Our Mission is a business podcast hosted by TRM Ministries, with 327 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

TRM Ministries hosts Our Community, Our Mission, a business show with 327 episodes published.

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  Our Community, Our Mission

  Ep #328- The Jones Project: Meet Damon Parker

  Sep 29, 202656 min

  In this episode, La Manda Cunningham talks about Topeka Rescue Mission’s fourth annual Night of Praise fundraiser and how prayer, financial support, and community involvement help meet the growing needs in Topeka. Then, Coach Damon Parker, Executive Director of The Jones Project, joins us for an honest conversation about teen mental health, bullying, social media pressure, and suicide prevention. Damon shares why storytelling and simply being willing to have difficult conversations can make a lasting difference—and why helping even one student choose to stick around makes it all worth it. Send us a Message!

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  Our Community, Our Mission

  Ep #327- Upstream and Downstream: A Conversation on Growth and Homelessness

  Sep 22, 202657 min

  In this episode, Molly Howey, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership, talks with Barry Feaker, CEO of Compassion Strategies; La Manda Cunningham, CEO of TRM; and Miriam Krehbiel, CSO of Topeka Rescue Mission, about how real economic development in Topeka and Shawnee County means people building lives, businesses thriving, and neighbors tackling hard issues together. She unpacks the Partnership's "Better Together" model, how the Chamber, Go Topeka, Visit Topeka, and Downtown Topeka work under one roof with distinct missions, plus job growth, community benchmarks, and rising community pride. The conversation then turns to chronic homelessness. We name the downstream problems people see and the upstream causes that take time, resources, and trust to address. You'll hear why education matters, why relationships change outcomes, and how business leaders and nonprofit partners can align around solutions that protect both human dignity and a healthy local economy. Send us a Message!

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  Our Community, Our Mission

  Ep #326- It Takes a Community: Volunteering, Partnership & Impact

  Sep 15, 202656 min

  Volunteers are the backbone of the Topeka Rescue Mission, helping provide everything from meals and clothing to critical support for people experiencing homelessness. In today's conversation with Suzie Paslay, Volunteer Coordinator at Topeka Rescue Mission, she shares what it takes to recruit, equip, and support thousands of volunteers, and reveals the full continuum of care that helps people move from crisis toward stability. We explore meaningful volunteer opportunities for every comfort level, along with community partnerships like the Moving Ahead Partnership (MAP) and the Nancy Perry Day of Caring. Whether you can volunteer every week or only have a few hours to give, this episode shows how one small step can make a real difference in the Topeka community. Send us a Message!

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  Our Community, Our Mission

  Ep #325- Compassion Impact Center

  Sep 8, 202659 min

  This episode tells the story behind the Compassion Impact Center, featuring guests Barry Feaker, CEO of Compassion Strategies and La Manda Cunningham CEO of Topeka Rescue Mission. It traces how the project grew out of years of community listening, pandemic-era mobile outreach through the Moving Ahead Partnership, and the conviction that no single organization can tackle homelessness services alone in Shawnee County. The conversation covers the research that shaped the center's design, a multidisciplinary team, a safer low-barrier shelter, and a "one-stop shop" model, as well as the practical and messy realities of getting there: choosing the Children's Palace as a site, navigating MOUs and leadership transitions, and balancing mission-driven commitment with healthy boundaries. The episode closes by highlighting the outcomes that make the effort worthwhile, from long-term unsheltered individuals finding housing to some returning as volunteers themselves. Send us a Message!

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  Our Community, Our Mission

  Ep #324- Refreshed: Finding Peace in the Middle

  Sep 1, 20261h 2m

  Leadership isn’t just about making hard decisions; it’s about staying tender while carrying the weight of serving others. In this episode, La Manda Cunningham CEO of the Topeka Rescue Mission joins us for an honest conversation about burnout, comparison, staffing challenges, and the pressures of serving neighbors facing homelessness, hunger, addiction, and mental health crises. We also talk about TRM’s Night of Praise on October 11th at Fairlawn Nazarene Church in Topeka, a free evening of worship and community impact with doors opening at 5:30pm and music at 6pm, plus an invitation to bring a non-perishable food item. Finally, La Manda shares lessons from the City Gate Network CEO Summit, including finding “peace in the middle,” letting go of the pressure to wear a mask, and making space for quiet, phone-free time with God to truly reset. Send us a Message!

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