In this episode of the Connect the Dots NYC podcast, host Vedant Vohra speaks with Maria Ortiz, a seasoned social worker and advocate, about her journey into social work, the intersection of housing and mental health, and the systemic challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Maria shares her personal experiences that shaped her career, discusses the importance of integrated care, and highlights the need for collaboration among local governments and nonprofits. The conversation also delves into measuring impact in social work, client success stories, and the importance of political will in addressing housing insecurity.

In this episode, Vedant Vohra speaks with Andrew Fung, founder of Homeless Entrepreneur, who shares his personal journey from homelessness to creating a platform that empowers individuals experiencing homelessness. The conversation explores the challenges faced during this transition, misconceptions about homelessness, and the unique approaches of Homeless Entrepreneur in fostering social change. Andrew emphasizes the importance of mentorship, long-term support, and the need for a shift towards empowerment in combatting homelessness. He also discusses the role of entrepreneurship in achieving financial independence and offers insights for aspiring social entrepreneurs. The episode concludes with Andrew's vision for the future of Homeless Entrepreneur and practical changes needed to tackle homelessness effectively.

In this conversation, Frankie Thompkins shares her journey into public service, driven by personal experiences and a desire to help others. She discusses the barriers individuals face in accessing food resources, including stigma and complicated application processes. Frankie emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to support, collaboration among organizations, and the impact of meeting basic needs on addressing other life challenges. She also shares insights on helping individuals regain stability and her vision for a community center that could provide essential services and training.