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A Passion to Serve

A Passion to Serve

By Don Kuchnicki

A Passion to Serve is a podcast about migrant and seasonal farm workers and the individuals who work on their behalf. Host Don Kuchnicki interviews a variety of guests who are passionate about their role serving the farm worker population.
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Season Three Episode Eight

A Passion to ServeMar 02, 2021

00:00
01:01:14
Latino Leaders for the Enhancement of Advocacy and Development (LLEAD)

Latino Leaders for the Enhancement of Advocacy and Development (LLEAD)

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with LLEAD President Al Flores about the recently published 2021 Annual Report.  During the inerview they discuss LLEAD's meeting with Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, the Michigan Latino Report regarding the 2020 Census and Latino community involvement in the Greater Lansing redistricting process.  Mr. Flores also discusses the upcoming LLEAD golf outing and annual conference.  You can access this information and more at https://www.llead.org/.


Aug 25, 202224:57
New York Times Best Selling Author Harlan Cohen

New York Times Best Selling Author Harlan Cohen

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki talks with Harlan Cohen about taking risks and how to successfully navigate change.   During this episode they discuss strategies to help youth and adults successfully confront and move through adversity and failure as well as creating more educational and economic opportunities for diverse populations.

Harlan Cohen is The New York Times bestselling author of The Naked Roommate series and six other titles. His books have sold over 1 million copies in print in multiple languages. Harlan is a speaker who helps thousands of students, parents, educators, and professionals every year. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Before College TV.

https://harlancohen.com

Jun 05, 202231:41
Alliance for Fair Food & Coalition of Immokalee Workers: Worker-Driven Social Responsibility
May 10, 202222:46
Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on MiLEAD Project Recruiter Michael Mompremier
Apr 22, 202212:46
Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on Megan Kupres, Manager of Workforce Development at Southwestern Michigan College
Apr 20, 202206:11
Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on Clara Franklin, Community Development Coordinator with Aetna
Apr 18, 202207:57
Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on Donald Roberts, Managing Attorney at Legal Aid of Western Michigan
Apr 15, 202208:19
Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on MSU Extension Coordinator Janice Zerbe
Apr 14, 202205:35
Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on Jim Sebree, former Telamon Corporation AmeriCorps Volunteer

Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on Jim Sebree, former Telamon Corporation AmeriCorps Volunteer

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Jim Sebree about the importance of the Show Me the Money Day Event and learning how to make sound financial decisions.

Apr 13, 202207:01
Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on Organizers Maria Zavala and Michelle Tule

Show Me the Money Day Event: Spotlight on Organizers Maria Zavala and Michelle Tule

During this episode of A Passion to Serve, host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Telamon Housing Program Coordinator Maria Zavala and AmeriCorps Volunteer Michelle Tule about the Show Me the Money Day event.  During the interview we discuss the importance of meeting of one-on-one with individuals when discussing financial literacy information, the mission of the AmeriCorps Program and always keeping the end goal in mind.

Apr 11, 202208:12
Sometimes education can be a misnomer because people worry that they aren’t smart enough, and that’s certainly not the case. It’s all about empowerment.
Mar 24, 202221:48
Michigan's 6th Annual Hispanic/Latino Statewide Graduation Ceremony

Michigan's 6th Annual Hispanic/Latino Statewide Graduation Ceremony

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Dr. Isabel Montemayor-Vazquez. Executive Director with the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM).  During the interview they discuss HLCOM's 2022 strategic planning goals and objectives, including the 6th Annual Hispanic/Latino Statewide Graduation Ceremony, which is taking place on Friday, April 22, 2022. 

Podcast Highlights:

1:16 Discussion about 2022 strategic planning goals & objectives

4:29 Annual Graduation Ceremony discussion

9:16 Hispanic/ Latino Commission's ongoing Collaboration with LLEAD

14:06 Where to find additional information about the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan

HLCOM Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hlcommission

HLCOM Website: https://www.michigan.gov/ogm/commissions/hlcom

Mar 15, 202215:56
"The principal goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done." — Jean Piaget, Swiss cognitive psychologist

"The principal goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done." — Jean Piaget, Swiss cognitive psychologist

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Ilda Martinez, Program Manager for the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association.  During the interview Ilda talks about her family's experiences as farmworkers in the United States, the importance of education and her current work with the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association.  

Feb 08, 202222:25
“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

During this episode of A Passion to Serve, host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Alma Cooper, a 2019 Okemos High School graduate in the State of Michigan and current West Point cadet.  During the interview Alma discusses the desire to give back to her community and country.

Alma is currently serving in student leadership at West Point, is a Truman Scholarship candidate, and will also be competing for the Rhodes Scholarship. In 2022 Alma is traveling to Israel and representing West Point on a joint trip with Yale University representatives to study and better understand the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and peace initiatives. 

Feb 01, 202225:21
Rights We Protect: The National Labor Relations Board

Rights We Protect: The National Labor Relations Board

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Regional Director Elizabeth Kerwin of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  During the interview they discuss the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 and how it protect the rights of employees and employers, encourages collective bargaining, and curtails certain private sector labor and management practices, which can harm the general welfare of workers, businesses and the U.S. economy.  To learn more, please go to http://www.nlrb.gov.

Jan 25, 202224:20
NLRB Trailer

NLRB Trailer

Trailer
Jan 21, 202200:50
“It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career." —Carlton Fisk

“It's not what you achieve, it's what you overcome. That's what defines your career." —Carlton Fisk

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Lily Salas, outgoing director of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) at Western Michigan University.  During the interview they discuss her work administering CAMP services as well as her new role as Community Investment Officer at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.  

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation provides essential funding to programs that ensure children have an equitable chance for success in school, that nurture and prepare young people for life beyond school, that support individuals and families from all walks of life, that enhance community prosperity in every corner of Kalamazoo County, and make life better for all.  To learn more, please go to http://www.kalfound.org.  

Jan 11, 202226:35
National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association: Helping Member Agencies Provide Quality Comprehensive Services to all Farmworker Children and their Families

National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association: Helping Member Agencies Provide Quality Comprehensive Services to all Farmworker Children and their Families

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Cleo Rodriguez, Executive Director of the National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association. During the interview they discuss a variety of ongoing initiatives such as the Vaccine Project, the Summer Internship Program and the Healing Voices Project. 

The National Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA) is made up of Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Directors, Staff, Parents, and Friends that meets regularly to discuss issues and concerns unique to Migrant & Seasonal Head Start children and their families.

To learn more about the National Migrant & Season Head Start Association, go to http://www.nmshsa.org.



Dec 16, 202140:22
Public Justice Food Project: Gaining Access to Workers Compensation Insurance for All Michigan Farmworkers

Public Justice Food Project: Gaining Access to Workers Compensation Insurance for All Michigan Farmworkers

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with David Muraskin, Senior Litigation Attorney with the Public Justice Food Project.  During the interview we discuss the lawsuit that was recently filed in the State of Michigan to ensure undocumented workers have access to workers compensation insurance.


The Public Justice Food Project envisions a future where our food chain results in healthy, empowered communities and sustainable livelihoods and a just animal agriculture system that is transparent and accountable to people, not profit.  They are the only legal project in the country that is focused solely on dismantling the structures that enable the consolidation of corporate power and extractive practices in our food system and supporting a vision of animal agriculture that is regenerative, humane and owned by independent farmers.  To learn more, please go to http://food.publicjustice.net.  

Dec 14, 202118:38
“Striving for social justice is the most valuable thing to do in life.” Albert Einstein

“Striving for social justice is the most valuable thing to do in life.” Albert Einstein

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with outgoing director Dr. Ruben Martinez about his work and career with the Julian Samora Research Institute. The Julian Samora Research Institute is the Midwest’s Premier Latino Research Center, with a history of research on Latino communities, farm workers and their families, farmers and youth. Dr. Martínez shares examples of his work and advocacy efforts that have encompassed his life. As he stated during our interview together: “Political sociology gave me a sense of how power is used, maintained and also how it can be used to change society for the better.”

Nov 23, 202136:06
Protecting the rights of our essential immigrant workforce.

Protecting the rights of our essential immigrant workforce.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with staff attorney Anna Hill from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center about their campaign to ensure undocumented workers have access to worker’s compensation insurance.
Nov 08, 202112:05
A new vision for the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan.

A new vision for the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan.

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Dr. Isabel Montemayor-Vázquez, who was recently appointed Executive Director of the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM). During the interview we discuss her vision for the HLCOM and how she became interested in this work.
Oct 31, 202126:29
Season Three Episode Eighteen

Season Three Episode Eighteen

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Amador Díaz Jr., Assistant Division Director with the U.S. Department of Labor-Wage and Hour division. During the interview Amador and Don discuss wage protections for farmworkers and Labor Rights Week.
Sep 03, 202148:35
Season Three Episode Seventeen

Season Three Episode Seventeen

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Johnny Alcivar and Dana Cowsert from Proteus, Inc. During the interview Johnny and Dana speak about the work being done on behalf of migrant and seasonal farm workers, including healthcare and workforce development programs and services.
Sep 01, 202132:15
Season Three Episode Sixteen

Season Three Episode Sixteen

During this episode of A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Juanita Bocanegra, who became Ottawa County’s first Hispanic judge in 2021. Juanita also speaks about her role with the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan.
Jun 22, 202119:57
Season Three Episode Fifteen

Season Three Episode Fifteen

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Consuela Barber-Lopez, Executive Director of AMANDLA and Commissioner with the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan. During the interview we discuss her advocacy work and how she engages with law enforcement to achieve positive outcomes for local communities.
May 25, 202130:29
May 10, 2021

May 10, 2021

May 10, 202100:60
Season Three Episode Fourteen

Season Three Episode Fourteen

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Telamon AmeriCorps member Michelle Tule and Telamon Housing Program Coordinator Maria Zavala about their work helping people strengthen their financial literacy skills.
Apr 20, 202134:20
Season Three Episode Thirteen

Season Three Episode Thirteen

Florensio Hernandez, Senior Admissions Counselor at Michigan State University and Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan board member, speaks with A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki about his professional work and how the importance of access to opportunity continues to motivate him.
Apr 06, 202129:59
Season Three Episode Twelve
Mar 30, 202118:49
Season Three Episode Eleven

Season Three Episode Eleven

Felipe Lopez Sustaita, Executive Director of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, was part of the Talks at Google seminar series. During the interview Felipe discusses his experiences as a migrant farmworker and how it has influenced his personal and professional decision making.
Mar 23, 202158:55
Season Three Episode Ten

Season Three Episode Ten

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Program Manager Jessica Ledesma from the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Mar 16, 202136:40
Season Three Episode Nine

Season Three Episode Nine

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki shares an interview between motivational speaker Lefford Fate and Jose Velazquez from the Hire Military YouTube channel.
Mar 09, 202155:01
Season Three Episode Eight

Season Three Episode Eight

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki features a Facebook Live Event from the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP). In 2020 leaders from the nonprofit farming community spoke about their work lifting up black and brown voices in agriculture and combating the racism that is endemic to our food system-as well as the additional challenges brought on by Covid-19. Enjoy the episode.
Mar 02, 202101:01:14
Season Three, Episode Seven

Season Three, Episode Seven

Hispanic /Latino Commission of Michigan (HLCOM) Executive Director Felipe Lopez Sustaita and Daniel Carreon-Camberos speak with HLCOM Commissioner Consuela Barber-Lopez about her work as a community activist in the City of Detroit.
Feb 23, 202121:45
Season Three, Episode Six

Season Three, Episode Six

A Passion to Serve host Don speaks with Isabel Gross, Occupational Safety & Health Project Coordinator with Farmworker Justice. During the interview we discuss the Medicaid enrollment initiative, which has the intent of disseminating reliable information about Medicaid so marginalized populations feel empowered to make informed decisions about their healthcare. Enjoy.
Feb 16, 202122:12
Season Three, Episode Five

Season Three, Episode Five

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Dr. Felipe López Sustaita, Executive Director of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan.
Feb 09, 202129:49
Season Three, Episode Four

Season Three, Episode Four

In 2020 A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki was part of an alumni panel put on by Michigan Sfate University’s (MSU) College of Arts and Letters. The theme was employment opportunities with nonprofits. MSU students submitted questions such as what to expect after graduation as well as how to develop a career path that aligns with one’s passion and skill set. Enjoy the episode!
Feb 02, 202101:00:30
Season Three, Episode Three

Season Three, Episode Three

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Edgar Torres-Salina about his work as a Labor Program Coordinator with Great Lakes Agricultural Labor Services, LLC. Great Lakes Agricultural Labor Services, LLC has been in operation since 2015 and supports growers by meeting their agricultural workforce needs through the H-2A foreign worker visa program.
Jan 26, 202120:27
Season Three, Episode Two

Season Three, Episode Two

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki rebroadcasts a Facebook Live event from the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP). In July, 2020 AFOP employee Kendra Moesle spoke with Mexican American Council CEO Eddie Garza about strategies to empower Farmworker youth. Enjoy.

Jan 19, 202134:27
Season Three, Episode One

Season Three, Episode One

During this episode of A Passion to Serve, host Don Kuchnicki discusses the Jobs for Americas Graduates Program that is being implemented in the State of Indiana by Telamon-TRC. Learn how this program helps high school students plan and prepare for both educational and employment opportunities!
Jan 12, 202139:10
A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with attorneys Anna Hill and Diana Marín from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center about the public health order requiring mandatory Covid-19 testing of ag

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with attorneys Anna Hill and Diana Marín from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center about the public health order requiring mandatory Covid-19 testing of ag

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with attorneys Anna Hill and Diana Marín from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center about the public health order requiring mandatory Covid-19 testing of agriculture and food processing employees.

Sep 07, 202026:55
Season Two, Episode Twenty Five

Season Two, Episode Twenty Five

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks Rob Anderson from the Michigan Farm Bureau about the impact of Covid-19 on the the agricultural industry and their opposition to the public health order that requires mandatory Covid-19 testing of Ag and food processing employees.
Aug 31, 202022:21
Season Two, Episode Twenty Four

Season Two, Episode Twenty Four

A Passion to Serve host speaks with Dr. Lisbeth Iglesias-Ríos and Dr. Alexis Handal about the Michigan Farmworker Project. The Michigan Farmworker Project’s goal is to improve working and living conditions for Michigan farmworkers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Aug 25, 202029:28
Season Two, Episode Twenty Three

Season Two, Episode Twenty Three

During this episode of A Passion to Serve, host Don Kuchnicki shares a recording from Telamon Corporation’s Facebook Live Event that discusses how we can impact community change through voting and community action. The episode features moderator Kalyn Miller and guests Mitchell Brown from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and Angelica Razo from Mi Familia Vota. Enjoy.
Aug 11, 202058:22
Season Two, Episode Twenty Two

Season Two, Episode Twenty Two

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with AmeriCorps volunteer Jim Sebree about his work in Telamon Corporations housing counseling line of business.
Aug 02, 202021:37
Season Two, Episode Twenty One

Season Two, Episode Twenty One

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Brian Rakovitis from the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM). During this episode Brian discusses CEDAM programs and initiatives as well as the 2020 Economic Development Leader of the Year award.
Jul 21, 202022:33
Season Two, Episode Twenty

Season Two, Episode Twenty

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Dale Freeman, Director of the Office for Migrant Affairs. During the episode Dales talks about overcoming challenges to meet the needs of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
Jul 14, 202029:58
Season Two, Episode Nineteen

Season Two, Episode Nineteen

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Monica Reyes, Director of the Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute and Chair of the Hispanic Latino Commission of Michigan.
Jul 07, 202022:11
Season Two, Episode Eighteen

Season Two, Episode Eighteen

A Passion to Serve host Don Kuchnicki speaks with Feliciano Paredes, one of the founders and creators of AgHelp. AgHelp is a mobile platform that helps agricultural employees source, retain and attract local and national talent while connecting workers with local support services.
Jun 29, 202028:51