And now the 419 with Gretchen de Bakker.

Matt.

Kill em and Kevin Mullin.

Welcome to the 419.

Powered by and presented by Retro Wealth Management.

I'm Kevin mullen, Gretchen de Bakker.

Kill him.

There are there's been a growing trend, an accident, that we all dress in some coordinated fashion and we don't actually coordinated, like, I think it was a one day trend.

No.

No, it's happened a few times.

It's happened a few times.

So that's a trend.

And Gretchen did not get the memo today.

But you look lovely.

But I see my goals for spring, right?

Yeah.

No one, no viewer or listener to the show cares what either of you two wear because you wear the same thing every day.

That's her.

So as a fashion icon, I don't think either of you should be commenting.

Yeah.

Yep.

Right.

That's fair.

About.

About fashion or about anything.

I'd like to say anything, but I'm going to stick to fashion.

Okay.

Today's date.

Because we do have a talk show to do.

So you should be able to comment.

Okay.

Do you have an exciting show ahead?

Before we get to our great guests, two of which are already in, studio.

I hate to bring this up because it's certainly, late, but I forgot to talk about last week.

There is yet another, kindergarten graduation brawl.

And I guess I'm not necessarily was their first one.

My mind.

Oh, yeah.

Oh, my.

All my family's.

Yeah.

But that, I think that initially that happened, which is bad enough, but now that's days of news.

Yeah.

Days of seeing it again and again and people commenting.

It's just this is this is very negative.

This is where my frustration with, that industry.

Right.

And part of the reason why I got to kindergarten and.

That's right.

No news, is the, the definition of news to me?

People behave badly.

That means that you need this information.

Yeah, right.

Not that you want this information.

Not that this information is voyeuristic and entertaining, but that it's information that you need.

So my question is, when you share that.

Yes, repeatedly.

Who?

What are you showing?

Whose life are you?

Who?

Yeah.

Who are you serving by doing that?

I think about it all the time.

That 20 years ago, 25 years ago.

No.

None of us would be conscious of that happened.

There would not be a video of it because people don't have.

I mean, there may be some grainy film maybe that would be developed a year later, but like, we wouldn't.

People could maybe talk about it with their friends, but it wouldn't become this thing.

I mean, to have that on the internet, then with those individuals, it just the whole thing to me is just so negative.

I really don't.

Nobody wants their worst moment or their worst day to be captured in perpetuity for entertainment.

That's why I was wondering if you wanted to change the sweater.

I have another I have a change.

I'm going to come back different.

And again, the show is not about, social commentary.

By no means.

It's.

It's about things that we're very proud of in the show.

Today's lineup is certainly things of that nature.

And by mentioning it here, there might be some hypocrisy that could be called out, not by mentioning it and talking about not talking about it, but some people behave badly, and that's unfortunate.

But hopefully that they will correct that behavior, and make some peace with themselves.

But they have at the top of every star news, right?

Feeds is a sign that, perhaps we are feeding into the void here, which I think is is why, you know, I enjoy doing this every day, right?

Because what we're trying to do is highlight, great people in Toledo that care about the community that are trying to make it better.

And is there, you know, could we do an hour, a day of bad news that's happening?

Absolutely.

I don't want to, And so, we got some great, great guests on the program today.

We are, we're going to be talking with our friends from Earth.

Yes.

Very excited.

Continues.

So we're going to talk to, Corey and the folks, from Earth.

One of the places Matt and I both go to a lot at toll House, to talk about Coffee Quest, which is still ongoing for our friends from Destination Toledo.

And then we've got, the folks from La Connection talking about nuestros ninos.

El futuro.

One of their youth programs.

We'll come in and talk about what they're doing there.

Working with the Community Foundation on making our community a better place.

But next, we're going to have, some women from West and I think, which is a, widows empowerment group, here in northwest Ohio, that admittedly, I don't know anything about.

I've got the good fortune of, being a fairly regular at the.

I'm a meeting, so I know a little bit about it.

This is an important thing.

In m many ways.

So I'm excited to have them on.

And it's important story to tell, and not just about the specific, set of people who have lost loved ones.

But if nothing else, this is about, about people coming together as a community, to be together and celebrate things.

The antithesis of how we started the show.

That's right.

I love it.

It's a good segue.

Let's take a break.

When we come back, we'll kick into that conversation here on the 419, powered by GT.

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Thank you.

Welcome back into the 419, powered by.

We talk about it every show.

There's incredible people doing incredible things in northwest Ohio.

We're joined by two incredible women that are building a community around, and I'm gonna say around Reggie, but around Los, and, you know, we've we've had this company with so many guests that you could just exist, right?

You could just take care of yourself.

But the reality is, these are two women that are that are going out of their ways to take care of the whole community.

We're so pleased to be joined now by AI, Dell Watson and Romell Burns from West and AI, Inc.. Thank you so much for being here.

Thank you for having us.

Yes.

If folks are familiar, what is West and Inc and and what does West and AI what does West stand for?

West stands for widows and powered strengthen and AI.

And, it's an organization that, started to help widows on the onset of the loss of their spouse.

Actually, when I was looking, when I lost my husband 12 years ago, I was looking for a support that support just widows.

And I could not find it.

And so out of my need came west because it helps me, by being connected to other ladies that have already had already gone through.

And it inspired me to not just live my life in total sadness alone.

But to get out, get up and work and do something in the community, reconnect with different people.

It's just a joy to be able to do this and to be able to connect with other ladies to help them as well.

And we all go through it differently.

Yes, but that was what I needed at that particular time.

How did you originally, once you decided to start this, how did you find other women?

How did you begin the process?

Well, From what I can remember, I just started reaching out to widows that I knew those that have been widowed a long time or just short period of time.

And ironically, I just started out with 12 ladies, and that's how we grew from there.

Just 12 ladies came in.

We sat down and we talked about what we were going through, how things happened, and, you know, kind of like just talked about each other's life and connected with each other in that way.

And then out of that communication, they started telling people and, we had a website and people would go to the website and learn a little bit more about us.

How did you find West?

And I think, I already knew ideal.

So she asked me what I'd be an interesting story to work with her.

And at the time she asked me, I was kind of like, you know, I'm not I'm not going to say I'm not an outgoing person, but, you know, so I said, well, I'll, I'll let you know.

So I did, I yeah, I and that she came to your house and your.

And the thing is Ramel and I lost our husbands around the same time.

Okay, well, in about a week.

Wow.

Let let us, Of course.

Even as time passes, it is not inappropriate to, to give you both condolences.

And, these are these are places in your lives that can't be replaced even by friends and and and new friends.

But there's a whole there.

And I know that neither one of you are, at least to my knowledge, are, you know, clinical professionals.

You don't prescribe to be therapists, but there is healing that can be done, in togetherness.

So and some of it is just blocking time.

Everyone has experienced tragedy, right?

Yes.

I think it's helpful to feel your schedule, even if it is with like insipid things.

Like for this hour, I'm going to go to the store.

Can we talk a little bit about how you, you you block or prescribe or plan this time and also have it be somewhat free flowing?

What do you do together to heal and be communal?

I know okay.

If you let her talk, she's just going to keep going.

You're getting more.

You can individually.

I'm not a person that you know.

And let me go to the mall.

Yeah, and I think I'll go, grocery shopping, which I, I, I love ordering and then have it.

Yes.

It's the only it's the only way to go.

It's the most modern miracle, right?

Yeah.

Right.

Yes.

And so.

But like, when we get together with the ladies.

Yes.

We we've done things where we've gone to the movie bowling, at our, you know, at our meetings, we talk, we laugh, we cry.

Yes, ma'am.

The ladies like to play bingo.

Sure.

So we do bingo, and it's it's it's more of a camaraderie.

Where you.

Right where?

We've all been through the loss, but we deal with it differently.

Yes.

You know, each lady is different with how they're dealing.

We had one lady.

She had been widowed for over 20 something years, I think.

Was that.

I'm not sure who you're talking about.

No, I can't think of her name.

Right.

Yes.

Yeah, but we've had ladies, you know, they're different ages and everything.

Younger ladies, we've had ladies that are.

We call them seasoned.

Yes, ma'am.

So we do have one of our members.

She turned 90 in January.

Oh, my goodness.

Yeah.

And she's she's still active.

And she's the degenerate bingo gambler.

I got, like that.

Why did you want this group to be specifically for widows and not for, widowers or both?

Well, I'm glad you asked that.

I thought that it would be good for widows because I had been in, a group before, dealing with some other things.

And that group had multiple people, multiple different issues.

And when I left out, I felt like I was carrying the weight of some of the people because of my heart.

And I really didn't get what I need.

It's needed some time coming out of those meetings and I just felt like, it was just needed that I couldn't find it in this city.

Yeah.

So that's the question.

Obviously the events are just the backdrop to being together, right?

It doesn't matter if you're bowling or it's bingo or playing cards.

It's about being together.

At the risk of sounding, I mean, we're all we're all in the show relatively seasoned.

It is.

And I'm gonna put you on the spot a little bit.

Here is some of this getting together missing and in our youth meaning?

Are we getting together enough?

You got together as a result of what I would describe as is loss and tragedy.

Are we getting together enough before something terrible has happened?

Are we still getting together as a community?

Are we still gathering?

You know, are enough people going to church and just have to be church?

Are we getting together in a way that you think that we should?

I don't think we are today.

I agree.

Days ago, a days ago, we used to get together quite a bit.

You know, we go to each other's house, we have dinner.

That's right.

Not just with family, but we have it with our friends.

You're blind.

Yes.

Exactly.

Yes.

My mom's house was a house.

Yeah.

We were younger.

Yeah.

But.

Yes, you're absolutely right.

We don't, have that, connection like we used to have.

And with our organization, though, we are of some you as someone.

The question, I believe, was about widower widowers as well.

So we are going to incorporate widowers.

And our key is to have gotten this vision right.

What I want to do.

I'm going to have a workshop eventually for couples, younger couples to help them to understand the facts of life, to get things in order now before waiting later and ending up having to come with that to us.

Not understanding, not fully having everything in order, sure.

But to help them to be better planners, planners financially situated or even mentally not.

You can never be ready for it, right?

But mentally have some type of aspect to know.

What do I need to do next?

Yeah, I was fortunate because my sister stayed behind with me.

Do you think I was thinking about, if I were going to be able to stay in my home, if I was going to be able to meet the, the, the rent, the not the rent, the mortgage or the, utilities.

No, I wasn't thinking of any of that.

So that's what I want to be able to help the younger generation to understand that way.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We're talking with Dr.

Watson and Romell Burns from West, and I think, I'm curious.

I've got two questions here that I think might blend into each other, but what is a, a common misconception that people have about when, you know, the, the time, the being a widow or, you know, losing your husband.

And what has been the time after loss.

Yeah.

Like that.

Then you know that people are coming to you and saying things are assuming things that are right.

And I guess my, my follow up to that is then what is the what is the right thing to say?

Well, I don't know how to guide someone with the right thing to say.

Yeah, but I can say that, if you don't know what to say, just give a hug, give some love, a smile, and I. And I'm glad you asked that, because unfortunately, people don't mean any harm when they come to you and say these things.

But someone says to me, hey, when are you going to get back out there?

I'm like, what do you mean get back out there?

I'm here.

I'm right here.

You see me, you know?

Yeah, but they don't mean any harm.

That's right.

You know, I a everyone has experienced loss all my life to some degree.

Gretchen lost, her beloved father, who was, a big part of her life.

And, I lost a daughter.

Who?

My other children don't listen to this.

She was my favor But I will tell you that, to your question, Kevin, and I think I know what you're talking about is I. I think we should think the the antithesis of how we started the show.

I do think we overthink what to say.

Right?

Are we talking about going to funerals or not?

And like, oh, I don't know what to say.

As if there was going to be anything that brought your husband back, right?

Just say something.

Just show up.

Yes.

Right.

Yes.

Be present.

No one's going to remember at your husband's funeral.

What?

Do you know what Jeff said to me?

Or, you know, you if you you remember, if they were there, if you flub it.

Yeah.

You know, there's people will give you grace, right?

Or at least you should as well.

I mean, I think the most powerful thing about this, not to keep beating this to death is just show up, be present, sit with your fans, hug them, have some human connection.

If you're if you have a friend who doesn't like to be hugged, just sit near them.

Yeah.

Send a card every now and then.

That's right.

You know, to say, do you want to go to lunch?

You know?

Yeah.

Or just.

I'll walk with you.

I don't we don't have to talk.

That's exactly with you.

That's right.

I'll come sit with you.

Yes.

Or what's something that the, The children, your children, you know, they've also lost their father.

So what can what's what's a misconception?

Maybe what's awkward?

What is something that you maybe need or a widow would need from their children that you that you hear from the widows in your group or have learned.

Oh, I don't know.

Well, my children were older, and it was a lot of it, I guess, boils down to the relationship that they had with their father.

If they've lost their father or with their mother, they've lost their mother.

Sure.

It's it's about, the connection that you had.

But now I have a daughter and a son.

Sure.

So who's your favorite?

So can we talk about that, too?

Okay.

Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

They, But they took it differently.

Yeah.

Of course, the daughter would take.

Took it one way, because technically she was a little bit closer to her dad.

Yeah.

And you know the stand but they didn't really like talk about a lot of things as far as their father dying because the situation was he had cancer.

And when he was diagnosed he was already in stage four.

And they had given him six months and six months was how long he survived.

And so it all depends on, you know, where their, where their mind is, what their deal.

You know, what other things they're dealing with can factor in.

I wanna say too, that, most times children's the children get lost.

They're hurting too.

But most people are much more focused on the wife.

That's left behind.

Yeah.

Then they need to think about the children as well.

They're grieving as well.

I want to make a little bit of an awkward transition to.

We have running out of time about, how people can find where you are and about your upcoming event that's coming on on June 13th.

Okay.

Our website that.

Why is your son not invited?

I'm just kidding.

Oh, I just didn't.

I'm just kidding.

Yeah.

Please tell us about your event.

Okay.

Event can be found on, our website, which is widows empowered.org.

Okay.

Or, our email is w w no.

I'm sorry.

Oh.

Is the website right.

Is, you know that the website was okay.

What does in power.org.

Email is w dot e dot s the word and a and e I then I in c@gmail.com.

You just didn't want anyone to get good at that.

Yeah.

So people can find information of your author on social media pages or on Facebook.

People can find information about your event.

It's a fundraising event for your organization.

And that's on June 13th.

Yes.

And we are on Facebook.

Okay.

Where is the June 13th event being held?

The pinnacle.

Yep.

And you're also affiliated with the Area Office on Aging.

So people can get information right at the on their website as well.

Yes.

We ha.

Thank you.

Thank you.

As we wrap up this, and I hate to make this quickly, but I'll make we'll make it quickly.

What's something that that you see throughout a day, throughout a year that that makes you smile, that reminds you of your husband?

Yeah.

Great question.

I knew that the question is I don't know my, my son's.

Yes ma'am.

Yeah.

My son's.

Yeah.

They have made me very proud.

And they have listened to him.

Yeah.

Finally.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yes, ma'am.

And you can see in each child a different aspect of your husband.

Yeah.

So, you know, it's, Now, my husband, he was a quiet spirit, so to speak.

But does your whole house quiet?

Your quiet life in the library?

You know, he was, the type of person that he would say something, and then he would wait.

Oh, wait a minute.

That was funny.

Yeah, I love it.

And also, my husband was a police officer, so doing this is very, gratifying for me to know that the city is with us, making this happen.

And this is because of him.

Everything to like.

His name was Wesley.

And that's why we have the organization that he knew was wonderful.

That was our guess.

It's what's in this word.

Thank you.

So nice for joining us.

We'll take a break.

When we come back, we'll talk with our friends from Lake and Zion To me, community means connecting to others.

I'm Danny Miller and welcome to the Point I was made yesterday.

We are a community committed to education.

Discover new ideas, dive into exciting subjects, and engage with the world around you.

I would send them personally a t shirt.

Crime doesn't pay in the old West End.

Pass it on.

That's how we cleaned up the neighborhood.

Vision loss for people is not the end.

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Monday through Friday, it's the 419 powered by w GTD with Matt Killam, Gretchen De Backer, I'm Kevin Mullen.

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Welcome back into the 419, powered by.

Our friends at the Community Foundation are encouraging us to talk to great organizations doing incredible work across northwest Ohio.

We're joined now by two women from LA Connect Zone.

We've got, Christina, Yenagoa.

I was like, I'm going to get this right.

And the CMAs, thank you so much for being here.

Thank you.

Ladies, if people aren't familiar, what is that connection.

So our connection is a nonprofit that services, the Latino immigrant and refugee and newcomer population in northwest Ohio.

It was founded in 2013.

Wonderful.

Yeah, that's a long that something like that doesn't happen by accident.

Yeah.

So that's wonderful.

That is that I didn't know, at the risk of asking an ignorant question.

So you said immigrant, refugee and newcomer.

I mean, that's that that that listing certainly is intentional.

I want to give you a minute to explain what that what that means.

So, like, for myself, I was a newcomer to northwest Ohio.

I moved here about, I want to say 12 years ago, I my I migrated from California.

I was born and raised in California, San Diego.

Okay.

Because you want better weather?

Yes.

Yes, definitely.

I came in the middle of winter because I had no, no idea that it was.

Yeah.

It was so wonderful.

That's how we get right.

Yeah, yeah.

And then so that would probably be like the newcomer to this area, refugee.

Obviously we know that those are people who are displaced from their, their countries are and are, you know, brought to other places.

And then, just like, immigrant or the Latinos, it's just the people who migrate over here from Spanish speaking countries or, you know, countries that are, they don't land in Ohio.

Yeah, sure.

But, Ohio is a destination for many people.

So, yes.

Let me ask that, a little bit deeper.

Everyone sort of like, refers to the Midwest as a warm place, right?

Or welcoming.

Is that true?

What is Ohio like for people that are coming to us in the three ways that you just so, to be honest, I please no, not Ohio and their special Ohio is welcoming.

It's just the fact that there are certain barriers for people when they get here.

Whether it be language, financial or just even, social.

Like, what social ties do they have here or are they coming on their own, not knowing anybody?

And they're just taking that chance.

But the majority of people who do come here, that we, you know, our clients, they do have a connection here.

Right?

So it is welcoming.

It's just what what are they facing when they come here?

Who are they coming to?

What do they know?

Yes, that that is that's where where organizations like where, the connection comes in, we try to bridge any gaps in, services, or even just social connections.

Absolutely.

And so that's where I think that it it is a welcoming place.

It's warm here, you know, and, proceeding with that, that is what I'm saying to, you know, the women you, Kristina, what's your connection to the organization and what's your role and why have you brought one of the hardest names to pronounce here?

Married into the name?

Yeah, yeah.

Someone else to blame.

Wonderful.

Yeah, it's a check.

Last name?

Yeah.

But I am on the board of, like, an example, the most recent board member.

So I'm still the new kid on the block learning the ropes and whatnot.

But I first became involved with, like, connection ten years ago.

Close to not right at its inception, but close to.

And, I got involved because I was helping community members, who had language barriers and trying to help them with things like navigating court systems and things like that.

And then I got involved a few years later as an English as a second language or third language, whichever, or fourth language, depending on what people.

Now, so I'm a volunteer, adult basic English teacher with like an excellent.

How did you come to this?

This is you'll do something for over a decade without it being something you believe in strongly.

What is your day job and why is this been such a big part of your life?

I live in Somerville, Ohio, where we have a substantial, immigrant and Latino population.

Because of the businesses that we have in town, I would, strongly say that, Latino immigrants are the backbone of our, economy.

That's the word I'm looking for.

And in Somerville.

And it's because of neighbors, neighbors, and friends that you don't live in a town of 1400 people without knowing everyone.

Sure.

And so, I give yourself a lot more credit than that.

Actually.

You can live anywhere in that.

Know your neighbors or care about them.

So it is a testament to you, at the risk of cheating, that your humbleness, part of the show, and earlier guests really are our proprietary in the way that, you can live a whole life not knowing or caring about your neighbors.

That isn't the path that I want to hold.

So I congratulate both of you and that sentiment.

Can you outline some of the programs that LA can actually own?

Has?

Well, I'm sorry.

You know, I know that you're putting the brand new world map.

Yes, yes.

That's right.

That's in Spanish Equis.

Yes.

I'm, conversationally fluent in Spanish.

Enough, enough that I can get my point across in class.

And then I'm like, I tell students, please help me out here.

Sure.

So.

But, the one that I'm most integrally involved in involved in is the English classes we offer adult basic English classes in tandem with our children, the future program in the West, Los Ninos, etc.

and they it's it's a beautiful program in the sense that adults that are not completely fluent in English can get some basic skills in this, and they're, school age students can get tutoring and help with homework at the same time.

They're in the same location.

That's so smart.

They ask you how again, you can move and live a fairly into life and just do take care of your day to day.

Being an adult is hard enough.

Yes.

What what how did this start?

And talk to me a little bit about your schedule for a week.

Oh, gosh.

Okay, so I was going to be surprised it wasn't so my day is never the same each day.

I could be in the office on a Monday all day doing, you know, just paperwork, emails.

That sounds terrible.

Updates, social media updates and whatnot.

And then on a Tuesday, I could be driving, transporting, a client who might need transportation.

I on a Wednesday, I could, be interpreting for somebody who needs help at a doctor's appointment.

And then, of course, you know, the menial errands would be on a Thursday.

Yeah.

And then Friday, I would be preparing for an event, and then on a Saturday, I would be, attending any community event that's around us doing a speaking engagement.

Sundays I keep.

Those are the days I try to keep to myself.

Yeah, sure.

Yeah.

What's the common, experience of the community that you serve that you hear a lot?

That the that the rest of us don't know anything about, something that they experience on a regular basis, living in our community that that there's a lack of understanding on a question that that is a really good question.

And the tough thing that comes to my mind is just getting those resources that we take it, for granted every day.

So like, if somebody, who comes here, they might call us with like, hey, Lucia, I, I need to see a doctor, but, you know, I have this pain.

I don't know really how I would go about doing that.

I don't I need help with the churn.

So, as Christina had given you an overview of our programs we have for four main components that we have our, services, which is our adult capacity.

So then, so we would, have, if they reach out to us, we would be that first point of contact.

We're like a resource.

And we would be that first point of contact where we would, do outreach for this person, which is another part of our programing.

And, we would set them up with that, not just setting them up with an appointment if they need that translation or interpretation service, and then if they need the, transportation, we would, and if we had a driver available, we would provide them that service of transportation.

And then we would go another step of, setting them up with the follow up appointment and making sure that they, set up with any services that, provide health care, navigation.

That's one thing we might not be that health care navigator, but we will connect you to that service.

If you had a magic wand and had no nothing to encumber this, what are two things that you would change immediately about these systems?

Or what would be provided?

That is a really good question.

Number five.

Just, I if I could wave that magic wand, I guess I would, I really like with every nonprofit would be to and the need for a nonprofit.

So our goal is at the end of the day is to not have to exist.

Yeah.

So I guess the first thing would be, the need for not to have any nonprofit because of, whatever services are provided should be provided through local and state and national.

Absolutely.

Well, the I said one so.

Oh, okay.

And then okay we'll do it.

Now the second one would be free coffee for everybody there.

So let me ask you a question.

Get on board with that.

I am frequently admonished, by friends to come to town from other places.

Where is the best place to go out to eat, in your opinion, that honors the tradition of, from your heritage here.

You're in northwest Ohio?

Yep.

Do I have to answer that question?

I knew oh, yes.

Yes, I knew that.

I knew that was going to be the answer.

All right.

What about the word I can answer there.

You can answer on behalf of who?

What restaurant?

All the a lot of folks in, Somerville are now frequency.

I mean, I said, Bill, congratulations.

Yeah.

We just yeah, we have yeah, we have restaurants.

But we just opened Cesario Inn and that's the that's a real Oreo.

So we've got nothing we're going to.

And that's certainly an answer.

I guess it's a valid point.

Yeah.

Okay.

I'll, I'll, I'll admit I will go drive an a good 10 to 15 minutes.

There is a restaurant called El Harris in Ocean.

Especially said you had to drive all the way to us.

Yeah, I live like in a village with one stoplight, so I see.

Well, sounds very metropolitan.

Yeah.

You know.

Yeah.

A lot.

Sure.

Let's talk to me.

That was a little bit more about, the race was nine years of zero.

What is how do people get involved in that program?

Where is that program being delivered?

And then talking about the funding of that program, where does the money.

Oh, yeah.

So, our, our, our program is run, in our or on our premises, which is in, Bowling Green with County.

We do service with County for the program, but any anyone is welcome.

We are our program is basically, focusing on children's, you know, conversational English.

We do help them with their with their homework.

And then from there, we do provide, physical activities or, you know, intellectual games to help stimulate the, the children's mind and, our funding does come from a diverse, group of, funding, but we do, get grants from the greater Toledo.

Community Foundation.

And we recently were awarded a, a grant that was brand new.

And we were the first ones, offered this grant.

And so, this grant is going to help us expand our program and open up spaces for more, more students, more children in in our area.

Where's the age of.

Pardon me?

I'm sorry, what are the the age we do service K through 12.

Okay.

Usually when the children hit about like 15 or 16, that's.

We want them anyway.

There, you know, no, they tend to be more independent and they, they phased themselves out where we would, they would, have more other extracurricular activities that they would do.

We do take, children that are under the age of five.

They would go into what is our more, nursery program.

But, those kids that, like, graduate or phase out of the program, we've had a couple of them come back in and help out and actually volunteer for our programs.

What's the best way to get connected with you?

Give me all the all the channels.

The best way to, yes.

Our website is, the connection online.

Our Facebook is, just the connection on Facebook or Instagram.

Okay.

Our phone number is (419)308-2328.

And those would be the main channels of communication.

And people should save the date for early October.

There's going to be a Latino heritage, festival event that you all are hosting.

Yes.

So, on October 9th, actually, we're going to kick off our Latino heritage event with a community resource and, trick or treat.

Fair fun.

It's going to be indoo because, you know, in October, we're going good.

You know?

Yes, yes.

Just it's going to be fun.

Resource, fair, some fun items for the kids.

Of course, our community partners would have, you know, the candy, and there might be some fun stuff they might give out to the kids.

October.

Because October, actually, between September and October is the month of the, Hispanic Heritage Month.

And so we we picked October because that's a good month where it's not really too hot, but it's not too cold.

And it a lot of, Latino countries have their day of independence between those months.

So we picked October because it is, we, we don't just survey like the Mexican population.

We service all the Spanish speaking Latino.

What's your least favorite Spanish speaking population?

She was going to say we can talk about.

No, no, no, no, I was going to say, myself because I have I have a thick accent.

Yeah, well, it's lovely.

Thank you.

Thank you both for the work you're doing in the community.

Thank you for coming on the program.

Keep us posted on other great things that you guys have going on.

Of course, the Beauty Foundation supporting your organization, supporting, our work here as well.

And we're all appreciative for the work that they do.

Thank you.

To continue building communities.

We'll take a break.

When we come back, we'll be joined by Earth Coffeehouse inside Tollhouse here on the 419.

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Well, get back into the 419, powered by GTA.

We have fun during the commercial break.

That's right.

I don't know that I'd say we have fun during the show, but, No, I think we have fun doing the show as well.

So excited to be joined by, court from Earth Coffee House.

Thank you for having us.

Inside toll House downtown.

I was sharing before the segment started.

Obviously, I know, you know, Gretchen, you said in the intro that you and Matt spend a significant amount of time there.

I love it.

I'm not there as often as you guys are, but legitimately, every time I go to order a coffee, Corey knows who I am, and I don't understand why.

But but it's it's impressive.

I mean, you guys have built, an incredible community there.

If people aren't familiar with Earth.

What?

What is it?

Where is Earth?

Yeah.

So it's located on North Summit Street.

Inside toll House, which is a members club.

It's an old factory, so it's been repurposed and turned into this amazing space.

Yeah.

So it's where the golf umbrella was invented?

Yeah, I think so.

Yeah.

Manufactured?

Yeah.

Used to be a golf umbrella factory.

Is it there?

You said, you know, obviously Tollhouse is a membership place, but you do not need to be a member.

Correct?

You go into Earth, right?

So the coffee house is public as well as there's a jazz lounge inside as well.

So every coffee house certainly has a value because it pushes one of the last legal drugs, to use your words.

Gretchen.

Appreciate it.

What makes Earth different?

I think it's our attention to detail.

No, I meant the planet.

Oh, the planet.

You're talking about us.

Oh, there's one and only as far as we know.

Yeah, yeah, it's tires.

Yeah.

Is in the atmosphere.

Your thoughts on it?

Right?

No, there's a vibe there.

At the risk of sounding, trite, like the concept of vibrancy, what what sort of sets it apart?

What makes it different?

Because I do believe it.

There's something different, special I do too, and sometimes I try to pinpoint exactly what it is, and I really can't.

But I think intentionally we try to make it a space that feels very comfortable for everybody.

We don't want anybody to come in and feel like ostracized or anything out of place.

So, at least that's my goal.

Every day is to just make everyone feel welcome when they come through that door and feel like they can just be a peace.

I think that you're the reason and and by large measure, that that it does feel that way because you are very welcoming to everyone.

It's it's a cool place, to work to, to have meetings.

Can you describe a little bit more about, about the building and the space with the plants?

The 1447 summit.

Summit is my memory of the address.

Yes.

Yeah.

It looks, it's an interesting, building from the outside, right, that they had, you know, being built.

So I did that up to say, when you're thinking about repurposing space, it is adjacent, to, or in, I should say, Vistula, our first neighborhood, which is, I think on the rise and, many different, metrics.

It's a will be adjacent to the Riverwalk.

That park will be open in 2028, but the, TPS, headquarters is there, right?

The Toledo Spirits, which has been there at least avatar for 20 years.

This is another unique flag there.

So I walk in the doors.

What what is what do people experience?

People are usually taken back because the outside is very unassuming.

So as soon as you come in, there's just a ton of plants everywhere, obviously.

And then just beautiful architecture, a lot of original floors, and then a lot of new innovations as well that have been put in place.

A lot of local artwork all throughout.

It's just an amazing space that you have to experience truly to, to really enjoy because there's so many nooks and crannies and every inch of that place has been utilized towards feeling, as a place that you can kind of go off and get worked on.

There's the loading dock, how you get Will's head into the building.

I mean, yeah, I don't mean the terms.

You mean literally.

You mean literally.

The goal is how does that mean?

Or next, the building has it.

I mean, you open.

Honestly, how do you get Matt?

I don't know if he ever leaves on the slide.

You probably stuck in.

Probably because of the spring.

That's not to show.

We can talk about this at the time.

Corey, how did you get, attached to to Earth?

Yeah, I even have reached before.

Yeah.

So because I've been doing it for about 6 or 7 years now, I worked at a place for seven years.

67 years?

Yeah.

Oh, great.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yes.

It's the caffeine.

But yeah, I had done that work before I actually came to Tollhouse to kind of utilize and work in every space eventually, like, as a bartender in the kitchen.

So I did a little bit of everything first.

Yeah.

And eventually Will was like, I think you you really know this coffee stuff.

And it let you kind of have your way with it and.

Oh, that sounds.

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

This is this is a lot of children love cups.

I am not a coffee snob.

That that Gretchen is.

Yes.

But I was not.

Period.

So if you want to go to just coffee, who's the first member of Tollhouse that ever was made?

Made a member?

I, I think besides Will and Angela.

Yeah, it might have been.

It's you.

Right?

Yeah.

It was like, wait, if you did not hear her tee up.

The answer I wait a minute, I almost you almost got me on that.

Right.

So with the drinks.

Classic coffee quiz.

Yes.

So lot tay mocha.

Like what?

What are the what?

What's the difference?

What's it?

Me?

I think it's all coffee and milk.

Right.

Like, but like.

Yeah, it's it is.

I tried to explain to people that essentially all coffee is the same.

It's just the brewing process or the method to which you combine anything.

So, you know, you have a cortado which is like equal parts espresso and steam milk.

But then if you have a latte, it's just more in milk ratio as opposed to, equal parts.

So each part is a variant of itself.

But some things are sweeter, some things are stronger.

So yeah, I try to always thoroughly involve them.

No, man.

No, that's new, a new coffee, right?

It's that theory I love me.

Yes.

Is there a drink?

And maybe it's not on the menu at Earth, but is there a drink that somebody orders that just triggers you?

The triggers that, like, either like, good or bad, no one should ever drink this or, like, it's just so annoying to make.

Yeah, I it's a great question.

I do actually have a good because I'm going to order that every time.

Okay.

Well, you can pretend it's not.

You pretend.

Make up another my friend.

I heard this story, which tells me it's.

Yeah.

The only one that makes me kind of cringe is people will get a matcha and espresso together.

Those are two strong flavors.

Yeah, I don't understand my one drink in one drink.

Yeah.

And it turns kind of this murky, you know, green, brown color back.

I don't understand matcha.

I know it's a big cultural thing right now.

My niece loves it.

I got her matcha for her birthday.

I don't get it.

I don't like it.

Yeah, you have to really doctor it up I like.

Yeah.

No.

Yeah, so I don't yeah I don't, I don't drink coffee.

Oh that's cool but I will but I'll, I'll drink decaf okay.

And I every time because I don't know enough about it.

And so I've asked every one of our coffee.

Yes.

This because I'm looking for someone to help me here because I want to branch out.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

No.

No, but I always get decaf caramel latte.

Okay, I think that's a good choice.

Yeah, sure, I like that.

Was her husband get, What?

I'm talking to you.

But what do you drink?

I don't know, what do you do?

You give me something else?

Yeah.

I'll see what I should do.

And I like just about all flavors.

Yeah.

I would do, like, a nice iced tea, personally.

Or hot tea?

Herbal tea.

You could always steam milk chai.

Add that to it.

Chat.

We'll try.

Does have a little bit of caffeine.

Not not that this is trying to kill me.

I so tell us about Coffee Quest.

You're here at the behest of, Destination Toledo.

Who have been joining with us to invite, a number of different coffee places.

Coffee houses.

Yeah.

To talk about Coffee Quest, which is still ongoing.

I believe through August till June till June.

Yeah.

So tell us about it and tell us what you're seeing in the in the shop.

Are people coming in to do the quest?

Yes.

It's amazing.

We've done we've been part of Coffee Quest for about three years.

Three years now.

And every year we get so many people that come in who have never been.

And they lived in Toledo for a long period of time.

So you get a lot of people come in to one, complete a and, you know, they kind of tally up their, their, their score on a coffee quest.

But a lot of people are just really coming to, enjoy the space.

And, sorry I got so awesome.

That's so emotional.

All right.

Yeah.

What do you think about people who have lived here for a long time?

I mean, the earth is only 5000 years old.

Your words.

Right, I do it, you pivot.

There are a lot of drinks that I think that seem to float in and out.

Totally.

Who is and how do those things come to light?

It's a primordial stew.

Soup or stool.

Ideally not.

Yeah.

But tell me, like, who creates these?

Yeah.

And what are we going to be seeing for the rest of the summer?

So, truthfully, I cultivate a lot of the menus personally for Earth, like the seasonals.

I try to always be self-congratulatory, but that's good.

I call you Gretchen.

Yeah, yeah.

No, no, I mean, it's a collaborative experience with me and the other baristas as well.

But, if you had to make a drink for each of our personalities.

What what what or not even you had to make it out of thin air.

What?

Drinks represent us?

Oh, my gosh, why is Gretchen okay?

Oh, coffee.

I mean, I know what you drink typically is like dark, cold brew, you know, which just like, makes it.

That's right.

Yeah.

I feel like it's very fitting.

Yeah.

You know, you're very, you know, you're strong.

You're to the point, you know?

It's good I love you.

Yeah.

I love you, too.

Oh, Gretchen.

Yeah.

I feel like you would be like a dirty try.

And I mean that in the nicest way, because it's, like, sweet, but also a little strong and.

Yeah.

Well, yeah.

Like you got it.

Yeah.

Right.

Yeah.

I mean, that's accurate, but I don't, I don't think it's what I wish for.

True.

Like I don't care about the accuracy of any of this at all.

Yeah I love that.

It's.

What do you think that represents.

Sleep at 8 p.m.. Yes.

Yes, it's called the snoozer.

Yeah.

That come about.

What is the capability?

Yeah.

Oh, yes.

Yeah.

All right.

Now you're stuck with me.

Okay.

Kevin.

And I've already told you.

I feel like we don't know each other.

Super fun.

That's just gonna make this great.

Maybe, territory.

Oh, you're about to see him again.

I would say, like, a nice strawberry refresher.

It's just like, you know, something light, and you see really sweet.

Mike.

Yeah.

The kinda spot on.

Yeah.

Like a little fruity.

Yeah, yeah, and I understand.

Wait, you know what?

That's nice.

All right, that's not it.

So the.

Do you talk to me about you?

Yeah.

Where are you from originally, I guess.

Yeah.

How much time do you have?

Oh, five.

No.

I'm born and raised in Toledo, just outside and Sylvania.

Yeah.

I grew up there, worked there and, moved to downtown Toledo about ten years ago, where you are one of the kind of souls I know.

What is the worst job you ever had?

You want to name the place specifically?

What?

What makes you not the one?

I would say working behind the deli.

I did that for a while.

Yeah, it's it's a lot of people that they get to.

They really do.

Yeah.

Yeah, people are mad.

People are just not nice to deli workers for some reason.

Yeah.

I don't know why.

It's like there's no there's no, you know, people are nicer to baristas than deli workers.

Oh, for sure they're not.

You're not getting the thinness of the meat, right.

I think that might be it.

I think so, yeah.

Like.

Yes.

Yeah.

Oh what's that.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, as a barista, you mean.

I'm just saying that it surprised me because people need caffeine in the order.

Wildly complex.

Yeah.

So that is very interesting duality between how people treat bartenders as opposed to servers.

I think you're also the same way.

Yeah, people love bartenders, and they're just vicious to servers.

That's very true.

And it's an odd.

Yeah, cultural I think.

Yeah, yeah it is.

All right.

Let's do the quiz.

Oh, yeah.

Sorry.

Oh, we're doing it all right.

We're doing it all right.

It's now time for questions.

What do you.

Quinn, I'm gonna ask you for rapid fire questions, okay?

I was going to ask you to describe Toledo in one word.

You.

I'm at will this nine best things in Toledo.

Here we go.

What's the worst thing you've ever eaten from a restaurant?

Yikes.

I would have to first think of a salad with a B in it, actually.

So then, yeah, the.

All right, if you had to paint something right now, what would you paint a flower I love flowers.

If you could be guaranteed one thing in life besides money.

Oh, what would you want it to be for money?

Stability.

Okay.

Yeah, I like it.

Yeah.

And then describe the sun in one word.

Cool.

Radiant or nice is a poet.

Yeah.

That's nice.

All right.

Corey, what's the one word you would use to describe the city of Toledo?

I don't want to steal from Tollhouse, but I'm thinking vibrant, obviously.

Yeah.

Got it.

So you can steal from toast.

Yeah.

Part of it.

That's right.

All right buddy, what are your favorite things man.

Got to go fast.

Okay.

Wildwood.

Yes.

The art museum.

Yep.

Middle ground.

Yes.

Thank you.

What's your favorite city?

Oh, what's the name?

Souk.

What's your second favorite place to, to sail and, you're almost home.

You've got 3 or 4 left.

Oh.

Do you have any pets?

No.

Good for you.

I mean, I'll give you two.

I don't say that there's a lot of dog friendly parks.

Yeah, let me give me two.

You've got two left.

The community.

Yeah.

And also just, I think, oh, the last.

Yeah.

We'll hold it up.

Oh, yeah.

We get that nine play.

I think it's it's all.

It's always yours.

Yeah.

Awesome Gary thank you, thank you.

Thank you so much for having, Yeah I appreciate you give us one more time location and where people can find more information on our.

So 1447 North Summit Street.

It's toll our inside toll house.

It's right on right by the river there, right across of coffee quest is happening right now.

You can, check out the entire map.

Destination Toledo wheel.

So that's a destination.

So, yo, I want you to get out and be a tourist in your own town and explore all the coffee shops across northwest Ohio.

All right, we'll take a break.

When we come back, we'll wrap up this Tuesday edition of the 419.

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welcome back into the 419.

I feel like when we get to zero on the countdown, Matt says something dumb every time.

Every time nine it's not always dumb.

And then Rachel producer people, people been describing me.

People describe inspiration differently.

Yes.

Yeah.

They do.

You say first words.

Don't use that word at all.

Yeah, yeah.

When directed at me.

Yeah.

This is Rachel.

I, I admittedly, you know, I, I didn't know what to expect from a conversation, with West, I think.

Right.

I'm actually it's a great organization and I and it's work that needs to be done.

But if you don't know, then I can't.

Yeah, you don't know.

That's a good way to.

Yeah.

Yeah.

You know, but like, it could have been a sad segment.

Yeah.

Yeah.

These are to just delightful.

And it's just another example of someone I think Matt even said in the interview, they don't have to do that.

They don't have to start that organization.

They don't have to bring people together in community and do that.

And they decided that they wanted to and did service of I, I, I also think our radio listeners don't see that Matt is just, just moving it by moving the microphones, unnecessarily.

You are a child.

Yeah.

Man.

Child.

All right.

And then, the folks that live connection, doing incredible work, of course, community foundation, recognizing that and providing support for them.

And then Corey at Earth.

Yeah.

Corey, he's so kind.

But I do think that you were, before I rudely rude, moved us away from that.

I do think that the point that you were making, was that the common thread between those folks is the fact that they are really in service of others.

And you can always do nothing.

And we have a tendency to overthink when delivering the right thing is what the right gift is, what the right thing to say is.

And the reality is, just being present.

If you missed any part of the show, you can catch it at 7 a.m.

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on Connect's channel 30.4.

It's the 419 powered by GTI and presented by Retro Wealth Management.

The 419, powered by WGTE is made possible in part by supporters like you.

Thank you.

Oh.