Nicia Fullwood and Shannon Riley, the founders of Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy (BELA) join me for a conversation about the potential of partnership and the power of sisterhood. BELA is an all-girls charter high school in Brooklyn NY.  At BELA, girls receive more than an education, they find a home. They are challenged by a rigorous curriculum while surrounded and supported by the attention of a community that cares deeply and is committed to both their academic and personal success. In this safe and nurturing space, they are empowered to be their authentic selves and to fulfill their ..read more

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region is a regionally-operated and locally-funded non-profit organization that serves New York's Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties. They create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Lisa O'Sullivan joins me on the podcast today to share the power of mentorship and how these relationships can help youth reach their full potential.  ..read more

In this episode, I’m joined by Maggie Fronk, the executive director at Wellspring. Wellspring supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Saratoga County, offering a comprehensive range of services and support, Maggie has been working in social service organizations for a very long time, and with her extensive experience and profound insights, Maggie brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was how Maggie illuminates the connections between so many different organizations, she says "We're all working with people." Maggie Fro ..read more

After-school care, homelessness prevention and support, emergency assistance, free summer meals, and so much more! CAPTAIN is a beehive of activity with folks working endlessly to support the Capital Region. Fern Hurley is the Executive Director and an incredibly kind leader. She has tons of experience in non-profit work and is deeply passionate about supporting the community where she is from. As a volunteer-driven organization, CAPTAIN strives to be a recognized leader in finding effective solutions to social issues in the communities they serve. CAPTAIN Community Human Services supports and ..read more

The Ali Forney Center is one of our newest partnerships, this will be the first summer they send youth to camp. The Ali Forney Center's mission is to support LGBTQ+ homeless youth in New York City. The Ali Forney Center is the largest LGBT community center helping LGBTQ homeless youth in the United States. They both manage and develop transitional housing for their clients as well as offer a massive amount of programs and services to holistically support their community. In this episode, Alex Roque the President and Executive Director shares about their impactful work, how much awareness and e ..read more

The Rochester City School District is a public school district that serves approximately 24,900 students in the city of Rochester, New York, which is where Stomping Ground's founders are from! We have been partnering with folks from RCSD since the very beginning of camp and have met so many genuine, kind, and passionate people. In this episode, we’re joined by camp celebrity Allison Klee! This is Klee’s first year working as a social worker in RCSD and she will be helping get some youth to camp this summer. Klee has a superpower in the department of partnerships because she has seen both sides ..read more

Why are partnerships integral to Stomping Grounds mission? How did they start and how have they evolved? How do we build reciprocal relationships? What is a partnership mindset and what kind of impact can it have? Join Laura in the first episode of our new season as she unravels the story behind our partnerships – how they began, evolved, and the power of building reciprocal relationships. Explore the partnership mindset and the profound impact it can have.  This Season of Building a Stomping Ground explores the transformative power of community through conversations with our incredible ..read more

George Jackson Academy is New York City's only independent middle school for academically talented boys from families of all incomes. They challenge their boys’ minds, nurture their hearts, and empower them to be leaders and change-makers.  In this episode, Ramon, Head of School, shares heartwarming and powerful stories. Discover how a simple 'good morning' can transform lives, explore the essence of manhood and the power of vulnerability, and learn why fostering a tight-knit community of support and belonging is transformative.  ..read more

In this episode, we speak with Ray, the former host of the Building A Stomping Ground Podcast, about his new non-profit organization, The Local Sound Collaborative. Ray shares his motivation for starting a non-profit and the challenges he has faced along the way. We also discuss the role of community and collaboration in the success of a non-profit, and how his experiences with Stomping Ground have influenced his approach to building The Local Sound Collaborative. Join us for an inspiring conversation on the intersection of arts, music, and community-building in the non-profit sector ..read more

We speak with Adam Feldman, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in the community surrounding Stomping Ground. Adam discusses his long-term experience going to and working at summer camp and how it shaped his philosophy on community building and play-based learning environments. We also talk about the impact of Habitat for Humanity on the surrounding community and how Adam incorporates his background as a math teacher and investment banker into his leadership style. Join us for an engaging conversation on the importance of play, community, and leadership in shaping the world around u ..read more