Melissa Elliott, Vice President of Programs and Services for the Area Agency on Aging, has a passion for helping seniors, and she is on the front line of answering the needs of elders that have been heightened by the pandemic and anxiety about world situations. One of the AAA's most utilized services is the 24-hour Senior Help Line, a one-stop resource staffed with professionals offering everything from food boxes to counseling and resolving housing issues. During the pandemic, they have also instituted telephone reassurance calls, and Project HOPE (Helping Older People Eat).

Original air date June 25, 2020.

To learn more about the Area Agency on Aging, go to https://www.aaaphx.org/

 

Melissa Elliott, Vice President of Programs and Services for the Area Agency on Aging, has a passion for helping seniors, and she is on the front line of answering the needs of elders that have been heightened by the pandemic and anxiety about world situations. One of the AAA's most utilized services is the 24-hour Senior Help Line, a one-stop resource staffed with professionals offering everything from food boxes to counseling and resolving housing issues. During the pandemic, they have also instituted telephone reassurance calls, and Project HOPE (Helping Older People Eat).
Original air date June 25, 2020.
To learn more about the Area Agency on Aging, go to <a href="https://www.aaaphx.org/?fbclid=IwAR33o4e7bomx149ypOLWe3ykMUg_8qskljnMIuBWeOE_eTS1XsQcllUD_Bc" data-lynx-mode="hover" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aaaphx.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR33o4e7bomx149ypOLWe3ykMUg_8qskljnMIuBWeOE_eTS1XsQcllUD_Bc&amp;h=AT3CgNs7T_NqBdn6Wf5VYqW9dk3VwqDJh1B_BcuJgdHfGBX51aSsJ6zr7ThDknI33ZKb29WffWGIr9qTYXLlNDNX_sYG8wPQp_GETAVfFb8H1aca0KzG1vyy7dJoC1FHH6LQYpCJKp_FxaIppw">https://www.aaaphx.org/</a>
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The Rescuers radio show provides an opportunity to spotlight people who are working behind the scenes to make this world a better place. These people serve as inspiration and idea starters to encourage others to find creative ways to impact their community, their city, and the world.

Host Art Brooks has spent his career in broadcasting, both as on-air talent and in representing the industry as president and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association for nearly 30 years. He was the driving force behind an Emmy-winning series of documentaries on drug abuse that combined a phone bank of 100 seasoned counselors and history-making "roadblock," as every TV station in Arizona and many radio stations broadcast the groundbreaking show on the same day at the same time. He also was instrumental in starting AZ AMBER Alert (one of two states in the nation where broadcasters initiated the program), helped form the Native American Broadcast Institute at Northern Arizona University and consulted with broadcasters in Bulgaria to help build commercial radio as the country was coming out of communism.

Rescuers airs 5:30-6 p.m. AZ time Thursdays on KPXQ-AM Faith Talk 1360, beginning May 7, 2020. Based in Phoenix, it is available internationally online. We invite you to submit names of heroes you think would be good subjects for the show - just message us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/

The Rescuers radio show provides an opportunity to spotlight people who are working behind the scenes to make this world a better place. These people serve as inspiration and idea starters to encourage others to find creative ways to impact their community, their city, and the world. Host Art Brooks has spent his career in broadcasting, both as on-air talent and in representing the industry as president and CEO of the Arizona Broadcasters Association for nearly 30 years. He was the driving force behind an Emmy-winning series of documentaries on drug abuse that combined a phone bank of 100 seasoned counselors and history-making "roadblock," as every TV station in Arizona and many radio stations broadcast the groundbreaking show on the same day at the same time. He also was instrumental in starting AZ AMBER Alert (one of two states in the nation where broadcasters initiated the program), helped form the Native American Broadcast Institute at Northern Arizona University and consulted with broadcasters in Bulgaria to help build commercial radio as the country was coming out of communism. Rescuers airs 5:30-6 p.m. AZ time Thursdays on KPXQ-AM Faith Talk 1360, beginning May 7, 2020. Based in Phoenix, it is available internationally online. We invite you to submit names of heroes you think would be good subjects for the show - just message us on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/">https://www.facebook.com/rescuersradioshow/</a>

Rescuers radio show

An inspiring program highlighting everyday heroes who change and save lives, making the world around us a better place.

An inspiring program highlighting everyday heroes who change and save lives, making the world around us a better place.

Rescuers

Helping Arizona's vulnerable seniors

What began with a shoebox and a vision is now a healthcare operation that completes more than 63,000 medical appointments every year by meeting those facing homelessness where they are.

Circle the City was founded by Sister Adele O’Sullivan in 2010, when she began caring for people on the street. Supporters offered donations to cover the cost of medical supplies, and she stored the cash in a shoebox.

Today, Circle the City has grown to:
Two outpatient clinics that provide primary and preventive healthcare.
Two 50-bed respite care facilities for adults recovering from acute illness or injuries - those who are not sick enough to be in the hospital, but too sick to be on the street. They receive three freshly-prepared meals per day, 24/7 nursing support, substance use intervention, and more.
Mobile Medical Care – Serving medical and behavioral healthcare throughout Maricopa County.
Street Medicine – Delivering healthcare to unsheltered and unhoused individuals in river bottoms, canals, alleys, street corners and parks.

Kim Despres now heads the organization as CEO, bringing more than 20 years of experience as a leader in healthcare. She has guided Circle the City’s expansion, including the launch of its first in-house pharmacy and construction of a new 85-bed East Valley Medical Respite Center planned to open later this year.

Click here to learn more about Circle the City: https://circlethecity.org/

Original air date: January 22, 2026.

What began with a shoebox and a vision is now a healthcare operation that completes more than 63,000 medical appointments every year by meeting those facing homelessness where they are.
Circle the City was founded by Sister Adele O&rsquo;Sullivan in 2010, when she began caring for people on the street. Supporters offered donations to cover the cost of medical supplies, and she stored the cash in a shoebox.
Today, Circle the City has grown to:
<ul>
<li>Two outpatient clinics that provide primary and preventive healthcare.</li>
<li>Two 50-bed respite care facilities&nbsp;for adults recovering from acute illness or injuries - those who are not sick enough to be in the hospital, but too sick to be on the street. They receive three freshly-prepared meals per day, 24/7 nursing support, substance use intervention, and more.</li>
<li>Mobile Medical Care &ndash; Serving medical and behavioral healthcare throughout Maricopa County.</li>
<li>Street Medicine &ndash; Delivering healthcare to unsheltered and unhoused individuals in river bottoms, canals, alleys, street corners and parks.</li>
</ul>
Kim Despres now heads the organization as CEO, bringing more than 20 years of experience as a leader in healthcare. She has guided Circle the City&rsquo;s expansion, including the launch of its first in-house pharmacy and construction of a new 85-bed East Valley Medical Respite Center planned to open later this year.
Click here to learn more about Circle the City: <a href="https://circlethecity.org/">https://circlethecity.org/</a> 
Original air date: January 22, 2026.

Healthcare for the homeless – Kim Despres

Chances are, you've lost someone close to you from cancer. 

That happened to Jennifer Caraway when she lost her dear friend Joy Seitz-Butts to ovarian cancer. Jennifer showed her love by delivering home-cooked meals to Joy during her illness, and this act of compassion not only nourished the family's bodies but also kindled their spirits.

This experience inspired Jennifer to create "The Joy Bus," an organization dedicated to delivering meals and delivering encouragement to homebound cancer patients. A firm believer that we all need a purpose in life, The Joy Bus became Jennifer's.

Her journey in the restaurant industry began at the age of 14 as a dishwasher and she steadily climbed the ranks, gaining experience in every role, both in the front and back of the house. She opened her first restaurant at the age of 26. From that pivotal moment, Jennifer's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed and she went on to establish multiple restaurants across the United States and  Mexico.

The Joy Bus and The Joy Bus Diner form an ingeniously crafted hybrid organization that blends commercial and nonprofit aspects while profoundly impacting the lives of those in need within her community. The Joy Bus Diner, a popular breakfast and lunch destination, plays a dual role by financially supporting the nonprofit, The Joy Bus program. This program is committed to providing gourmet meals, meaningful conversation, and educational support free of charge to homebound cancer patients.

To learn more about The Joy Bus, click here: https://www.joybus.org/ 

Original air date: January 15, 2026.

Chances are, you've lost someone close to you from cancer.&nbsp;
That happened to Jennifer Caraway when she lost her dear friend Joy Seitz-Butts to ovarian cancer. Jennifer showed her love by delivering home-cooked meals to Joy during her illness, and this act of compassion not only nourished the family's bodies but also kindled their spirits.
This experience inspired Jennifer to create "The Joy Bus," an organization dedicated to delivering meals and delivering encouragement to homebound cancer patients. A firm believer that we all need a purpose in life, The Joy Bus became Jennifer's.
Her journey in the restaurant industry began at the age of 14 as a dishwasher and she steadily climbed the ranks, gaining experience in every role, both in the front and back of the house. She opened her first restaurant at the age of 26. From that pivotal moment, Jennifer's entrepreneurial spirit blossomed and she went on to establish multiple restaurants across the United States and&nbsp; Mexico.
The Joy Bus and The Joy Bus Diner form an ingeniously crafted hybrid organization that blends commercial and nonprofit aspects while profoundly impacting the lives of those in need within her community. The Joy Bus Diner, a popular breakfast and lunch destination, plays a dual role by financially supporting the nonprofit, The Joy Bus program. This program is committed to providing gourmet meals, meaningful conversation, and educational support free of charge to homebound cancer patients.
To learn more about The Joy Bus, click here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.joybus.org/">https://www.joybus.org/</a>&nbsp;
Original air date: January 15, 2026.

More than a meal -  Jennifer Caraway

Jonathon Basurto likes to brag on the Lord. And he has a lot of opportunities these days, as principal of the first Christian classical dual language K-12 school in the nation.

Jonathon is a fifth-generation Tucsonan, descended from family who were ranchers in the area even before Arizona became a state. He loves his community and talks about how desperately the Spanish-speaking residents had prayed for a Christian school, recalling grandparents who could hardly walk, painfully lowering themselves to their knees to pray that it would one day happen.

Now that the Pusch Ridge Christian Academy South is a reality, Jonathon is helping lead an innovative team that teaches a dual language immersion program to help students become fluent in both Spanish and English. The classical education – which  includes not just academics, but music, art, and phys ed on a daily basis – also offers Mariachi classes at all levels. Students in the early grades learn guitar, then they move on to violin, and ultimately learn how to play trumpet. The emphasis is on worship music, helping the kids prepare to participate in worship bands at their local churches, showing how children CAN change a community for Jesus.

Click here to learn more about the Pusch Ridge Christian Academy:  https://www.prca.academy/academics/south-campus-dli

Original air date: January 8, 2026.

Jonathon Basurto likes to brag on the Lord. And he has a lot of opportunities these days, as principal of the first Christian classical dual language K-12 school in the nation.
Jonathon is a fifth-generation Tucsonan, descended from family who were ranchers in the area even before Arizona became a state. He loves his community and talks about how desperately the Spanish-speaking residents had prayed for a Christian school, recalling grandparents who could hardly walk, painfully lowering themselves to their knees to pray that it would one day happen.
Now that the Pusch Ridge Christian Academy South is a reality, Jonathon is helping lead an innovative team that teaches a dual language immersion program to help students become fluent in both Spanish and English. The classical education &ndash; which &nbsp;includes not just academics, but music, art, and phys ed on a daily basis &ndash; also offers Mariachi classes at all levels. Students in the early grades learn guitar, then they move on to violin, and ultimately learn how to play trumpet. The emphasis is on worship music, helping the kids prepare to participate in worship bands at their local churches, showing how children CAN change a community for Jesus.
Click here to learn more about the Pusch Ridge Christian Academy:&nbsp; <a href="https://www.prca.academy/academics/south-campus-dli">https://www.prca.academy/academics/south-campus-dli</a> 
Original air date:&nbsp;January 8, 2026.

Helping Arizona's vulnerable seniors

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