In this episode of the CDS Podcast, we spoke with Lolofi Soakai, Executive Director and Founder of M.A.L.O., Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity. Lolofi shared her journey and the mission behind MALO, a community-rooted organization uplifting Tongan and broader Native Hawai'ian Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities through culturally grounded leadership, wellness, and advocacy work. She spoke about the challenges NHPI youth face, from chronic absenteeism to lack of representation, and how MALO is creating space for cultural pride, community healing, and meaningful change.

https://malotongaie.org/

Don English, Director of Children Deserve Success, interviews Leticia Herrera, a DACA recipient and educational advocate, about her journey and advocacy for immigrant youth. Leticia shares her experience growing up undocumented in the Coachella Valley, her challenges in accessing scholarships and loans, and her advocacy efforts, including founding the first cohort of the Dream.US scholarship recipients. She discusses the impact of DACA's potential removal in 2017, her sister's passing, and her subsequent legislative advocacy. Leticia emphasizes the importance of community support, mentorship, and the need for legislators to understand the contributions and challenges faced by immigrant youth and families.

Don English, Director of Children Deserve Success, interviews Michael Krouse, President and CEO of GoCal, about his journey and efforts in supporting vulnerable youth. Michael shares his background in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the diverse career opportunities it offers. He discusses his experience as an adoptive father of former foster youth, highlighting the challenges and rewards. Michael also talks about his nonprofit work, which includes hosting events to support foster youth and raising awareness of career opportunities in the hospitality industry. He stresses the importance of listening to youth and providing them with resources and support.

Dr. Don English interviews Deputy Sheriff's, Thomas Mabry and Reshawd Cobbs from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department about the Juvenile Intervention Program (J.I.P.).

The program, started in 2001, aims to educate at-promise youth and their parents about the realities of jail and prison life. It includes a day of mentoring, parenting courses, and visits to jail and the coroner's office. The program has evolved from a "Scared Straight" approach to showing reality, and it has faced challenges like COVID-19 and the closure of a female jail facility. Success stories include youth who changed their behavior and parents who reported positive outcomes. The program emphasizes community referrals, follow-up, and the importance of rehabilitation.

Juvenile Intervention Program (J.I.P.) – San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/divisions/public-affairs/juvenile-intervention-program/

This months focus will be an interview with Shuvette Marshall who works in the Homeless Education Department as a Peer Support Associate .

This months focus will be an interview with Lucy Baker, Peer Support Associate with San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools.

Impact Truth
http://www.impacttruth.com/

This month's focus will be an interview with our homeless education project manager, Miss Brenda Dowdy.

SBCSS Homeless Education Program
https://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/index.php/en/innovation-and-engagement/children-deserve-success/homeless-education

Cecil is the Superintendent of Baker Valley Unified School District. The district is comprised of 145 student spanning preschool to 12th grade with 13 teachers and 14 classified staff on three campuses. Baker is situated between Barstow and Las Vegas and has a population of around 750 people.