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

When she took the reins of the Assistance League of Phoenix in 2012, Aimee Runyon was the first executive director in the history of the organization that had served the community – totally run by volunteers – since 1960.

She was recruited by another organization briefly but returned to the Assistance League in time to escort the nonprofit into another new era as they disaffiliated from the national Assistance League and became the all-local Delivering Dreams of Arizona.

One of the milestones where she has left her greatest footprint during that time is through starting three Delivering Dreams buses – vehicles retrofitted to be mobile clothing stores, including dressing rooms. These travel to schools around the Valley to  help students each choose an entire wardrobe worth $300.

Delivering Dreams helps children in many other ways, including:
Wee Help program – providing basic items such as diapers, wipes, infant clothing, and blankets to new mothers being helped by partner nonprofits.
Books Gifts program – providing books to low-income children in kindergarten through eighth grades, and to social service agencies who in turn put those books in the hands of needy kids. They distribute more than 25,000 books per year.
HUGS Program – partnering with first responders by donating cuddly teddy bears for children experiencing crisis.
The Thrift Boutique – a resale store that carries gently-used clothing, furniture.

She leads a mammoth army of dedicated volunteers, working together to improve the lives of children through fulfilling basic needs, fostering self-esteem, and enhancing their quality of life.  

Click here to learn more about Delivering Dreams of Arizona:  https://deliveringdreamsaz.org/

Original air date: December 4, 2025.

When she took the reins of the Assistance League of Phoenix in 2012, Aimee Runyon was the first executive director in the history of the organization that had served the community &ndash; totally run by volunteers &ndash; since 1960.
She was recruited by another organization briefly but returned to the Assistance League in time to escort the nonprofit into another new era as they disaffiliated from the national Assistance League and became the all-local Delivering Dreams of Arizona.
One of the milestones where she has left her greatest footprint during that time is through starting three Delivering Dreams buses &ndash; vehicles retrofitted to be mobile clothing stores, including dressing rooms. These travel to schools around the Valley to&nbsp; help students each choose an entire wardrobe worth $300.
Delivering Dreams helps children in many other ways, including:
<ul>
<li>Wee Help program &ndash; providing basic items such as diapers, wipes, infant clothing, and blankets to new mothers being helped by partner nonprofits.</li>
<li>Books Gifts program &ndash; providing books to low-income children in kindergarten through eighth grades, and to social service agencies who in turn put those books in the hands of needy kids. They distribute more than 25,000 books per year.</li>
<li>HUGS Program &ndash; partnering with first responders by donating cuddly teddy bears for children experiencing crisis.</li>
<li>The Thrift Boutique &ndash; a resale store that carries gently-used clothing, furniture.</li>
</ul>
She leads a mammoth army of dedicated volunteers, working together to improve the lives of children through fulfilling basic needs, fostering self-esteem, and enhancing their quality of life. &nbsp;
Click here to learn more about Delivering Dreams of Arizona:&nbsp; <a href="https://deliveringdreamsaz.org/">https://deliveringdreamsaz.org/</a>
Original air date:&nbsp;December 4, 2025.

Delivering dreams for kids – Aimee Runyon

Jacque Salomon was lost. Her 11-year-old son had just died following a severe allergic reaction to a prescribed pharmaceutical. She and her other children were reeling, fighting their own health issues. But she found an answer.

Through a whole plant foods lifestyle, meditation, yoga, and psycho-spiritual remediation, she and her boys rediscovered health, and in the process, rediscovered themselves.

Today, Jacque is a trauma-informed health and wellness coach with a focus on plant powered nutrition and stress management. She adopted a whole plant-based lifestyle, which resulted in her losing 164 pounds and reversing her Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. She now dedicates her life to helping others do the same, and educating people through her nonprofit Seeds to Inspire.

As an indigenous woman from the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) born and raised in New York City, Jacque’s heart is to support underrepresented, underserved, under-financed, and marginalized communities in the Phoenix metro area and surrounding reservations. She addresses health inequity and disparity through the lens of cultural colonization and plant-based health.

Through Seeds to Inspire, she leads programs rooted in community wellness through food for health, health & wellness coaching, teaching kitchens, and healing gardens, advancing health and well-being for all.

Click here to learn more about Seeds to Inspire: https://www.seedstoinspire.org/

Original air date: November 20, 2025.

Jacque Salomon was lost. Her 11-year-old son had just died following a severe allergic reaction to a prescribed pharmaceutical. She and her other children were reeling, fighting their own health issues. But she found an answer.
Through a whole plant foods lifestyle, meditation, yoga, and psycho-spiritual remediation, she and her boys rediscovered health, and in the process, rediscovered themselves.
Today, Jacque is a trauma-informed health and wellness coach with a focus on plant powered nutrition and stress management. She adopted a whole plant-based lifestyle, which resulted in her losing 164 pounds and reversing her Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. She now dedicates her life to helping others do the same, and educating people through her nonprofit Seeds to Inspire.
As an indigenous woman from the island of Boriken (Puerto Rico) born and raised in New York City, Jacque&rsquo;s heart is to support underrepresented, underserved, under-financed, and marginalized communities in the Phoenix metro area and surrounding reservations. She addresses health inequity and disparity through the lens of cultural colonization and plant-based health.
Through Seeds to Inspire, she leads programs rooted in community wellness through food for health, health &amp; wellness coaching, teaching kitchens, and healing gardens, advancing health and well-being for all.
Click here to learn more about Seeds to Inspire: <a href="https://www.seedstoinspire.org/">https://www.seedstoinspire.org/</a>
Original air date: November 20, 2025.

Healing bodies, minds, & souls – Jacque Salomon

Ted Taylor is a small-town kid. He grew up in Globe, AZ, raising animals in 4-H and passionate about the debate team. As an adult he’s worn many hats, working in the cotton business, for an aerospace company, a law firm, construction business, and in healthcare technology. But 15 years ago, he found his true calling – as CEO of Family Promise-Greater Phoenix, a shelter for unhoused families.

Family Promise has five locations in the metropolitan area. They vow to help families move toward independent housing and self-sufficiency. They also promise to keep children, parents — and even their pets — together while providing meals, clothing, childcare assistance, computer access, bus passes, housing, education, and financial assistance.

More than 7,500 volunteers from 34 area faith congregations shelter families in their worship facilities each night. They provide family-style meals, activities, and private bedrooms for each family. Families may then progress to shared housing, and ultimately permanent housing. Even then, Family Promise continues working with them for up to 24 months, providing case management, emergency assistance, employment, parenting, and financial coaching.

This success is repeated at Family Promise locations throughout the country and together, 63,000 families were helped last year.

Join us and learn more about the array of services that Family Promise provides to those in need.

Click here to learn more about Family Promise of Greater Phoenix: https://familypromiseaz.org/

Original air date: November 13, 2025.

Ted Taylor is a small-town kid. He grew up in Globe, AZ, raising animals in 4-H and passionate about the debate team. As an adult he&rsquo;s worn many hats, working in the cotton business, for an aerospace company, a law firm, construction business, and in healthcare technology. But 15 years ago, he found his true calling &ndash; as CEO of Family Promise-Greater Phoenix, a shelter for unhoused families.
Family Promise has five locations in the metropolitan area. They vow to help families move toward independent housing and self-sufficiency. They also promise to keep children, parents &mdash; and even their pets &mdash; together while providing meals, clothing, childcare assistance, computer access, bus passes, housing, education, and financial assistance.
More than 7,500 volunteers from 34 area faith congregations shelter families in their worship facilities each night. They provide family-style meals, activities, and private bedrooms for each family. Families may then progress to shared housing, and ultimately permanent housing. Even then, Family Promise continues working with them for up to 24 months, providing case management, emergency assistance, employment, parenting, and financial coaching.
This success is repeated at Family Promise locations throughout the country and together, 63,000 families were helped last year.
Join us and learn more about the array of services that Family Promise provides to those in need.
Click here to learn more about Family Promise of Greater Phoenix: <a href="https://familypromiseaz.org/">https://familypromiseaz.org/</a> 
Original air date: November 13, 2025.

Helping Arizona's vulnerable seniors

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