In this powerful episode of "The Humanity of Homelessness," we sit down with Aurora Granado, a single mother of five whose story is a testament to resilience, faith, and transformation. Aurora shares her journey through two experiences of homelessness, her path to recovery from addiction, and how finding her faith became the cornerstone of rebuilding her life.

From a childhood marked by foster care and instability to becoming a mother determined to break generational cycles, Aurora's story reveals both the complex factors that can lead to homelessness and the profound impact of community support. Now a participant in Church at the Park's family shelter program, Aurora is preparing to start a new job at Amazon and dreams of opening her own caregiving facility to serve elderly community members with dignity and love.

Throughout our conversation, Aurora's infectious positivity and deep spiritual conviction shine through as she discusses how her relationship with God has given her a new identity and purpose. Her wisdom about the temporary nature of difficult circumstances and her commitment to helping others make this episode both inspiring and instructive for anyone seeking hope in hard places.

This episode offers valuable insights into the realities of homelessness, the importance of wraparound services, and the transformative power of faith and community support.

In this episode of The Humanity of Homelessness, we sit down with Kyle Dickinson, the executive director of Salem Leadership Foundation. Kyle shares his personal journey—from his roots in Redding, California to his roles in ministry, fundraising, and community leadership. He reflects on formative moments that shaped his vision of community, belonging, and stewardship, weaving together stories of sports teams, the lessons learned from his father, and deep experiences with faith-based service.

Kyle discusses the importance of connection across Salem’s nonprofit, faith, and civic sectors as essential to building a healthy, thriving city. He also offers rich perspectives on the complexities of addressing homelessness, emphasizing long-term relational approaches, learning from lived experience, and nurturing a sense of collective belonging. Join us for a conversation full of warmth, humor, wisdom, and hope for Salem’s future.

In this heartfelt episode of The Humanity of Homelessness podcast, host John Marshall sits down with Paul Fairchild, a case manager at Church at the Park’s family shelter in Salem, Oregon. Paul bravely opens up about his journey through homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and recovery. He shares personal stories from his upbringing in Tacoma, the instability he faced as a youth, and the hard lessons learned through substance use and incarceration. Paul discusses the challenges of building a new life in Salem, the resources that supported his recovery, and how his lived experience now guides his work supporting families facing homelessness.

Listeners will be moved by Paul’s honesty, resilience, and hope. He reflects on the power of supportive communities, the necessity of affordable housing, and the real transformation that happens when people are given second chances. Paul’s story is a testimony to perseverance, the importance of supportive relationships, and the light that can emerge from even the darkest places.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the real, human side of homelessness and recovery — and to celebrate the good news found in unexpected places.