Why Prevention Is Everyone’s Business

National Nonprofit Day | August 17

What if nonprofits didn't just respond to problems but helped prevent them from happening in the first place?

In this episode of Illuminating Hope, Hope House Director of Community Engagement, Tina Johnson explores the role nonprofits play in prevention, community engagement, collaboration, and systems change.

We’ll talk about:

• Why prevention is a community responsibility
• The difference between responding to a crisis and addressing its root causes
• How nonprofits bring communities and systems together
• Why education, advocacy, and partnerships are essential to prevention
• Moving beyond measuring activity to measuring meaningful impact

The question for this episode: What are you willing to help prevent?

Because sometimes the most powerful evidence of prevention is what never happens.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Resource for Action. https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/php/resources-for-action/index.html

National Council of Nonprofits. About the Nonprofit Sector.

https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Listen. Share. Start the conversation.

What does it mean to be a champion, not just in the ring, but in life?

In this powerful episode of Illuminating Hope, hosts Tina Johnson and MaryAnne Metheny welcomes legendary boxing champion Christy Martin, whose groundbreaking career forever changed women's boxing. Known as one of the sport's greatest pioneers, Christy's story extends far beyond championship titles. She is also a domestic violence survivor whose courage has inspired countless others to seek safety, healing, and hope.

Following the premiere of the feature film Christy, which tells the story of her extraordinary life, Christy reflects on the triumphs, challenges, and deeply personal experiences that shaped her journey.

About Christy Martin

Christy Martin is a pioneering professional boxer and former world champion who helped bring women's boxing into the national spotlight. Her remarkable career, determination, and advocacy have made her an enduring voice for survivors of domestic violence. Today, she continues to inspire others through public speaking, mentorship, and her commitment to raising awareness about intimate partner violence.

Trigger Warning

This episode includes discussion of domestic violence and attempted homicide. While these conversations are difficult, they are essential in helping break the cycle of abuse and reminding survivors that they are not alone.

Share the Message

If Christy's story moved you, please help amplify this important conversation by:

• Subscribing to Illuminating Hope
• Leaving a review
• Sharing this episode with your friends, family, and community
• Talking openly about healthy relationships and domestic violence prevention

Every conversation has the power to create change. Together, we can illuminate hope.

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Every year, the Hope House Believe Gala brings together community members, advocates, partners, and supporters for an unforgettable evening dedicated to creating safety, hope, and healing for survivors of domestic violence.

In this episode of Illuminating Hope, host Tina Johnson sits down with Hope House's Chief Development Officer and Events Manager for a behind-the-scenes conversation about one of the organization's most impactful fundraising events of the year.

Together, they discuss:

• The mission and purpose of the Believe Gala
• How community support directly impacts survivors and their children
• What guests can expect during this year's event
• The planning, passion, and teamwork that bring the gala to life
• Why fundraising events are essential to sustaining Hope House's life-saving programs
• Ways everyone can support the mission—even if they can't attend

Whether you're a longtime supporter, attending your first gala, or simply curious about how fundraising changes lives, this conversation offers an inside look at the heart behind Hope House's biggest annual celebration.

Why Your Support Matters

Every ticket purchased, sponsorship secured, auction item donated, and gift made helps Hope House provide emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, prevention education, and supportive services for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.

Together, we can help ensure that every survivor has the opportunity to build a future filled with safety, dignity, and hope.

Get Involved

• Attend the Believe Gala
• Become a sponsor
• Donate to support survivor services
• Volunteer with Hope House
• Share this episode to help spread awareness

Thank you for listening to Illuminating Hope. If this episode inspired you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who believes that everyone deserves to live free from abuse.

Together, we can illuminate hope.

Subscribe to the Illuminating Hope Podcast for conversations that advocate, educate, and empower.

Host: Director of Community Engagement, Tina Johnson

https://www.hopehouse.net/

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

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Saturday, April 18, 2026 , 8:00 pm CST at Knuckleheads

Knuckleheads: 2715 Rochester Ave, Kansas City, MO

We are excited to announce the Sonderluss Soul: A Benefit Concert for Hope House!

Sonderluss Soul is comprised of Charlie Harris (basses and guitars), Bill Thompson (harmonicas), Marcus Rattler (percussion and steel pan). All members are veteran musicians who have played in a number of musical projects in different genres all over the country. The band prides itself in being “genre-less,” incorporating elements of funk, Latin, rock, jazz, and classical in its original compositions. Recently referred to as “the most original band in Kansas City,” they are a must-see event!

Critically acclaimed Nashville saxophonist David Bosviet will be joining Sonderluss Soul for this special night. David has shared the stage with many Grammy winners in and around Nashville. David and Charlie Harris, the bassist and founder of Sonderluss Soul, have played together for years and recently recorded a soundtrack for a movie. David and Charlie last appeared together in Kansas City in 2023 for sold out concert promoted by the Folly Theater.

Follow Sonderluss Soul on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Sonderluss-Soul-61550294162722/

Enjoy a one of a kind jazz concert from the band, Sonderluss Soul, with proceeds benefitting Hope House! The band prides itself in being “genre-less,” incorporating elements of funk, Latin, rock, jazz, and classical in its original compositions.

Event and Ticket Information: https://www.hopehouse.net/events/calendar-of-events

or Visit: https://tickets.knuckleheadskc.com/orderticketsarea.asp?p=3499&a=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawPkmBlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF1VFVadUVmOTZpdW15MEhuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiYnc9a2wpkA8gNvonEI92LxusJZs9-1HkzcAa5Nz2RMQfs29ilr4KsDGAyG_aem_v9PykiYjpTwg_M7NCXJiow

Missouri House Speaker Dr. Jon Patterson, represents District 30, which includes parts of Lee’s Summit. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2018.

Rep. Patterson is a 1998 graduate of Blue Springs High School. He then attended the University of Missouri–Columbia, where he earned both his bachelor's and medical degree. After medical school, Dr. Patterson completed his surgical residency at Truman Medical Center in downtown Kansas City. Dr. Patterson practiced general surgery in eastern Jackson County from 2011-2022.

Rep. Patterson lives in Lee’s Summit with his wife, Jennifer. They have two children, Leah and Andrew. In his spare time, Dr. Patterson enjoys family time, reading, and golf. Dr. Patterson is committed to public service through medical missions. He has completed surgical mission trips around the world, including to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Jordan.

In this episode, we dive into the legislative process, explore how bills and budgets are shaped, and discuss how these decisions impact communities, especially those navigating domestic violence and seeking critical support services. We also talk about the importance of collaboration between policymakers and community organizations to create lasting, meaningful change.

Listen in as we talk about turning awareness into action and advancing policies that truly support survivors and strengthen our communities.

Hosts: Director of Community Engagement, Tina Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, MaryAnne Metheny, and Chief Operating Officer, Ilene Shehan.

https://www.hopehouse.net/

If you are in an emergency, call or text 9-1-1.

For information about our services and how Hope House can help, call our 24-Hour Hotline at 816-461-HOPE (4673) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-7233.

Today, we need your voice.

For decades, Missouri’s victim service organizations have worked alongside law enforcement, healthcare providers, court systems, and local communities to ensure that individuals impacted by crime have access to safe and supportive services.

One of the primary funding sources for victim services is the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). VOCA provides grants to states, which then distribute funds to local agencies serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other violent crimes. Over the past several years, however, federal VOCA funding has declined significantly. For the past four years, the State of Missouri has included a line item in its General Revenue budget to help offset these federal reductions and stabilize victim service agencies.

In the proposed budget for FY2027, Governor Kehoe has eliminated the General Revenue line items of $25 million to help bridge the cuts from Federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) allocations.

In addition to the $25 million budget cuts, Governor Kehoe has proposed another $1 million cut from the Department of Social Services (DSS) Domestic Violence Shelter and Services fund (DVSS). These funds are specifically designed to help domestic violence agencies provide core services to victims.

To Find Your Legislators & For more information: https://www.hopehouse.net/get-involved/take-action-now

In this powerful Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month conversation, Youth Prevention Specialist Sadi Geier joins us to explore how teen leadership is more than a confidence-builder, it’s a prevention strategy.

Together, we dive into what leadership really looks like for young people and how developing skills like communication, boundary-setting, decision-making, and peer influence can help teens build healthier relationships and recognize red flags early.

This episode unpacks:

• How leadership shapes identity and self-worth
• Why empowering youth voice shifts peer culture
• How teens can safely use their influence to create change
• The role of youth leaders in transforming community norms

Through this conversation, we highlight how giving teens the tools to lead doesn’t just prepare them for the future it actively reduces risk, builds resilience, and strengthens prevention today.

Because when teens learn to lead, they also learn to love safely, respectfully, and with confidence.