Air1 Radio News

Billie Wright talks with Shannon Joy about utilizing llamas and alpacas for therapy in Ridgefield, Washington. Joy and her mom, Lori, recently paid a visit to Portland International Airport to help passengers with stress.

“We started out our first week on the topic of identity,” explains Erin, “because, through and through, if we can truly understand our identity and where that comes from – and where it doesn’t come from – and understand who we are in Christ, if we could hone in on that, all of the other issues that they’re dealing with all comes down to understanding who they are” in the Lord.

The Bible explains that there truly is such a thing as “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” and Cindy Mullins, from Lincoln County, Kentucky, has without-a-doubt-in-her-mind experienced that. Cindy is a wife, a mom, a nurse…and dramatically and unexpectedly has lost both her legs and hands. “I can’t put my own Chapstick on,” is one of the simple things she is no longer able to do. What happened?

“This country created the majority of its schools during the 1940s, 50s and 60s,” says Jill Hardy-Heath, President and CEO of Heart of America. Disrepair deeply affects learning. “If you walk into a school where you have peeling paint and ceiling tiles that are falling, and things have not been updated – think about how that would make you feel.” HOA is committed to raising the spirits of those students and teachers. “We transform spaces,” she smiles. “Think about Extreme Home Makeover, but School Edition.” Rafael Sierra reports. [Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

Air1's Monika Kelly speaks to Ahndrea Blue, founder of Eloise's Cooking Pot Food Bank in Tacoma, Washington. Ms. Blue is an attorney who noticed some of her tenants seemed malnourished. Making sure that they were fed was just the beginning of a food bank that now feeds 70,000 people every month.

He even made it weatherproof so it could be enjoyed throughout the year. Listen to Air1's Rafael Sierra's report.

Billie Wright talks with Bryson Reine and his dad, Shawn about the 15-mile hike in Colorado. Bryson raised $28,000 for a missions irrigation project.

Children feel the thrill of seeing their scripts come to life with the help of creative-writing mentors and local actors who volunteer to perform. Though based primarily in Los Angeles, the arts program Young Storytellers works to scale its success to other cities by providing free online videos educators can use to help students shape stories. Monika Kelly reports. [Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

Convoy of Hope arrived in Lahaina, West Maui with emergency supplies days after the fire, trading their trademark big rigs for big boats. The Christ-centered ministry also remains involved in dozens of disasters and war zones in the U.S. and worldwide. “We are on the ground working in the Middle East,” confirms Convoy spokesman Ethan Forhetz, and though he ‘can’t say much’ in order to protect the safety of local partners, he says more than 40,000 pounds of food was recently delivered by cargo plane to Israel and Gaza. Marya Morgan reports. [Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

Hawaiians are eager to say ‘aloha’ to mainlanders says Leanne Pletcher, Dir of PR and Marketing at the Maui Visitor and Convention Bureau. Though the historic town of Lahaina remains closed, she invites newlyweds, adventure hikers, families and surfers to enjoy a sunset from one of Maui’s other white sandy beaches. Marya Morgan reports. [Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

Ezra is 8 years old, a Christian, and loves to do interviews with community leaders and personalities. Listen to Air1's Rafael Sierra's report.

Heroes on the Water takes soldiers up a creek with paddles or pedals. “Kayak fishing really helps veterans who are struggling with PTSD,” notes Zack Clift. H.O.W. surveys show 88% of participants say the free expedition gave them confidence to develop new relationships and a whopping 98% say it helped them relax. Kindra Ponzio reports. [Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

WildOps invites combat vets to gather in places like Ansel Adams Wilderness or 11,000 ft in the Sierras or rural Montana. “We seek the isolated veteran – a big chunk of them that don’t wanna be found,” says founder Jeff Morris. Team leaders don't preach to the battle-worn soldiers but find "they come to life out in the Wild.” Monika Kelly reports. [Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

Billie Wright talks with Pastor Steven Bell who won big on Wheel of Fortune and used the national spotlight to promote foster care and adoption.

Monika Kelly speaks to the founder of Emergency RVs, Woody Faircloth. Woody's organization brings used, refurbished RVs to people who've suffered through natural disasters (Maui Fires, Paradise Fire) and have become homeless. He has especially helped first responders, veterans and the elderly. He's given away more than 130 RVs.

When Gilberto Corredera firs came to America, he never imagined how God would change his life. Listen to Air1's Rafael Sierra's report.

“Just so you know, some kids that are trafficked actually aren’t taken from their home – they still live at their house.” How does this happen? Social media chats. Expert tricksters spend months -- or even years -- lying to build friendship. Your good and smart kid may believe their online friend is their age “by the time they went to meet this person, it wasn’t who they thought they were.” Once the youth is tricked into sexually explicit activities they may be too afraid to tell you. Air1's Felipe Aguilar reports. [Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

How do you approach a teen without getting a door slammed in your face? “A trusted adult is what a youth needs more than anything,” says Lori Butterworth of AIM, which strongly recommends all adults get certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. She compares it to CPR. “What if we worked really hard to raise the probability that when a child or teen has a mental health crisis that there is someone there to help them and save their life?" Air1's Kindra Ponzio reports. [Education Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved]

Billie Wright talks with Billy Cheplic, who has autism, and his mom Tina about how he bakes for family, friends, and his community.

incent Mercer aims to build strong and meaningful relationships between these dads and their children via the ‘Father to Father’ program. Listen to Air1's Rafael Sierra's report.