A Place in the Conversation

From Books to Second Chances: Literacy, Arts and Youth Justice in Chester County

For-profit prisons use 3rd grade reading scores to decide where to build their next facility. Jan Michener learned that and couldn't let it go.In this episode, Jan shares how that single fact shaped the work of Arts Holding Hands and Hearts (AHHAH), the organization she founded in 2013 to bring arts, literacy and mindfulness programs to youth incarcerated at the Chester County Youth Center. What started inside a detention center expanded into a county-wide literacy movement, including over 100 pop-up lending libraries throughout Chester County and a local chapter of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which mails free, age-appropriate books to enrolled children from birth through age five.Jan talks about what it looks like to read with young children in a way that builds wonder and empathy, not just phonics. She describes story times at the Kennett Library where kids act out books, explore emotions and make grilled cheese sandwiches in honor of the story they just heard. And she's honest about what she sees on the other end of the literacy gap, where 85% of incarcerated youth are literacy deficient and 75% of incarcerated adults read below a 4th grade level.Her approach is consistent whether she's working with a toddler or a teenager on probation. She starts by creating a safe space. She asks what happened to you, not what did you do. And she treats every person in the room as someone worth seeing.AHHAH also produces original books featuring writing, poetry and art from incarcerated youth, and a documentary called Invisible No More. Jan leads a free weekly Yochi movement and meditation class at the Kennett Library on Wednesdays from 10 to 11 AM, open to all.To learn more, register a child for the Imagination Library or support a book drive, visit ahhah.org.

Supporting Young Moms: Connection, Resources, and Hope for Immigrant Teen Mothers

In this episode, Martha Serio, case manager at YoungMoms, shares how her work with pregnant and parenting teen girls has reshaped the way she understands community support, resilience, and holistic care. Drawing from her transition into social work and her daily experience walking alongside young immigrant mothers, Martha reflects on how consistent guidance, education, and compassion can open meaningful opportunities for girls navigating early motherhood.From connecting teens to prenatal care and housing resources to supporting GED completion and hosting workshops on financial literacy, CPR, and parenting, Martha explains how YoungMoms addresses the whole person through eight dimensions of wellness. She also explores the importance of trauma-informed care and the deep trust built between case managers and the young women they serve.Throughout the conversation, Martha highlights the essential role of volunteers, mentors, and donors in sustaining this work while acknowledging the ongoing challenges many immigrant families face. Her message is hopeful and practical, inviting listeners to recognize the strength of these young mothers and consider how they, too, can be part of a supportive and compassionate community.Highlights from the episode:• Personalized case management for pregnant and parenting teen girls• GED support, housing assistance, and health care navigation• Workshops covering financial literacy, parenting skills, and emergency preparedness• Trauma-informed care for immigrant young mothers• The vital role of volunteers, mentors, and donors• How to support YoungMoms through donations or volunteeringTo learn more, volunteer, or make a donation, visit the YoungMoms website or contact Martha directly at martha.serio@youngmomscommunity.com.

Building Belonging Through Ability, Access, and Community

In this episode,Peter Doehring, founder of the Kennett Ability Network and Kennett Outdoors, shares how his daughter Margot and his family’s journey reshaped the way he thinks about inclusion, community participation, and access to the outdoors. Drawing from his experience as a parent, educator, and advocate, Peter reflects on how small, thoughtful changes can open meaningful opportunities for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
From adaptive biking and volunteering around town to hiking trails, beach paths, and ski trips, Peter explains how access to outdoor spaces and community programs can foster connection, confidence, and belonging. He also explores how language, awareness, and everyday interactions shape how welcoming a community truly feels, and why inclusion must move beyond physical access to program design and participation.
Throughout the conversation, Peter highlights the progress Kennett Square has made as a community while acknowledging the practical challenges that remain. His message is ultimately hopeful, calling listeners to notice who is around them, remove barriers where they can, and recognize that inclusive communities are stronger, richer, and more human for everyone.
Highlights from the episode:• Creating meaningful volunteer opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities• Adaptive biking, hiking, skiing, and outdoor recreation access• How inclusive language and everyday interactions shape belonging• Progress and remaining challenges in community-based inclusion• Practical ways individuals and organizations can open doors to participation

Building a Healthier Community Through Connection, Awareness, and Access

Health starts long before we enter a doctor’s office. In this episode, Rana Sakr, MD, a physician and public health advocate, explores what it really means for a community to be healthy, beyond medicine. Drawing on her work with the Center for Contemplative Studies and her public health studies at West Chester University, Rana shares how social factors like language access, transportation, education, and community design all influence well-being.
She discusses the importance of health literacy, mental health support for youth, and the need to make trusted information easier to find. The conversation also highlights how local spaces like libraries and parks can become hubs for connection, awareness, and healing. Together, the hosts and Rana reflect on how collective effort and open dialogue can move a community toward health equity, belonging, and shared resilience.
Highlights from the episode:        • What defines a healthy community beyond medical care        • The role of social determinants like access, environment, and literacy        • Why mental health support for youth is a growing priority        • How health literacy empowers families and reduces stigma        • The challenge of finding trustworthy health information online        • Libraries as neutral, public hubs for community health education        • The importance of collective, cross-sector collaboration for lasting impact

Growing Leaders: How Local Girl Scouts Build Belonging, Skills, and Community Impact

Small acts of service can ripple across a whole town. In this episode, Emily Baroni, a long-time volunteer and troop leader in the Kennett area, shares how Girl Scouts are helping girls build confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging. From inclusive outreach troops that connect Spanish-speaking families to first-time camping adventures and local service projects, Emily shows how the program creates real opportunities for growth.
She highlights how girls mentor one another, lead community projects, and form partnerships with local organizations like the Kennett Library and food cupboard. Projects have ranged from creating a makerspace sewing initiative and a board game cart to raising $26,000 for scholarships. Whether they’re camping, learning new skills, or volunteering, these girls are discovering what it means to make a difference close to home.
Highlights from the episode:        • Inclusive outreach troops that connect Spanish-speaking families and reduce barriers to participation        • Locally run programs that strengthen the Kennett and Unionville-Chadds Ford communities        • A library sleepover, makerspace sewing project, and board game cart encouraging creative connection        • Outdoor learning challenges that build confidence and curiosity        • Scholarship fundraising and mentorship that sustain long-term engagement        • How to join or volunteer through Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania

Gathering at the Table: Turning Conversation into Community

What if healing division started with something as simple as sitting down together? In this episode, we meet Elizabeth Moro, former congressional candidate, author of The Civil Graces Project, and owner of the Centreville Café & Marketplace, whose lifelong passion for hospitality has evolved into a movement for connection. From her Pennsylvania childhood as one of twelve siblings to her campaign trail conversations across five counties, Elizabeth shares how the table has always been a place for dialogue, dignity, and discovery.She reflects on the power of shared meals to bridge differences, the inspiration behind her “Mondays with Moro” gatherings, and why she believes civility begins with presence. Whether you’re a community leader, a conversation starter, or someone craving genuine connection, this episode invites you to pull up a chair and rediscover what it means to make space, for each other and for grace.Highlights from the episode:• How Elizabeth’s run for Congress inspired The Civil Graces Project• The story behind Centreville Café & Marketplace as a hub for dialogue• Why she believes hospitality can heal division• Lessons from her “Mondays with Moro” community gatherings• The deeper meaning of the table as a place for listening, learning, and belonging

Growing Community: How a Garden Became a Place for Connection, Culture, and Care

Sometimes, the smallest plot can grow the biggest connections. In this episode, we sit down with Steve Denno, manager of the Kennett Community Garden, to explore how a shared green space has become a hub for diversity, friendship, and giving back. From its humble beginnings inspired by the novel Seedfolks to its current 72-plot layout, the garden brings together neighbors of all ages and backgrounds—each contributing not only plants, but also stories, culture, and care.
 
Steve shares how the garden donates 1,000 pounds of produce each year to local food cupboards, teaches kids about the growing cycle, and provides a rare place where strangers become collaborators. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just curious about community building, this conversation will inspire you to dig in—literally and figuratively.
 
Highlights from the episode:
The story behind Kennett’s community garden and its expansion
How shared gardening fosters cross-cultural friendships
The garden’s role in local food donation and education
Why a plot of soil can be a powerful antidote to isolation

Believing in Students: Mentorship, Community, and the Power of Showing Up

Mentorship isn’t just about advice. It’s about consistency, care, and meeting people where they are. Loretta Perna, director of the WIN and Hermanitas programs at Kennett High School, has spent decades doing just that. In this conversation, Loretta shares how she went from business school and acting to becoming a mentor, advocate, and lifeline for hundreds of students navigating life after high school.
 
She reflects on the power of small encouragements, the importance of listening to what students actually need, and how the support of a community helped keep her program alive. From personal pivots to public advocacy, Loretta’s story is a reminder that it only takes one person to change a life and a whole community to keep that change going.
 
Highlights from the episode:
How the WIN and Hermanitas programs support students and families
What it means to be a mentor when parents can’t always show up
Loretta’s unexpected path from acting to education
The role of repetition, presence, and long-term commitment in building trust
Why investing in scholarships helps more than just one student

Building Belonging: Community, Connection, and Showing Up for Each Other

In this heartfelt episode of A Place in the Conversation, co-founders Nancy and Nick Everhart sit down with Cat Stenta, Director of Community Engagement at Kennett Library, to explore what it means to truly belong. From neighborhood Halloween parades and women’s lacrosse leagues to environmental film festivals and quiet support groups, Cat shares how she has spent her life creating space for others—sometimes by accident, often on purpose.
Together, they reflect on the evolving needs for connection across life stages, the power of listening, and the importance of safe spaces for both joy and grief. Cat opens up about her Quaker upbringing, the influence of her mother’s activism, and how her own journey through divorce led to a new kind of community care.
Highlights from the Episode:
How libraries act as modern-day community hubs for both newcomers and lifelong residents
The surprising impact of starting a women’s over-35 lacrosse team—and why joy matters
Supporting others through life transitions like divorce by simply holding space
Cat’s passion for environmental advocacy through Trail Creek and Wild & Scenic Film Festival
The invitation to be “the person who welcomes someone in”—and why that role is sacred
If you’ve ever felt unsure of where you belong or wondered how to start something meaningful, this episode offers encouragement, laughter, and real-life wisdom on building community one brave invitation at a time.

Finding Hope Through Grief and Mental Health Awareness

In this deeply moving episode, A Place in the Conversation welcomes Tyra Reeves and Lynn Brown, founders of Just My Reflection: The Jordan Michael Reeves Foundation. They share their personal journey through loss, grief, and their mission to bring mental health awareness and suicide prevention resources to the community.
Highlights from the Episode:
• Turning Grief into Action: Tyra shares how the loss of her son, Jordan, led her to start Just My Reflection as a source of support and hope for others struggling with mental health challenges.• Breaking the Silence Around Mental Health: Lynn discusses the importance of normalizing conversations about suicide, depression, and emotional struggles, especially in communities where these topics are often stigmatized.• Creating Safe Spaces for Healing: Learn about the Just My Reflection wellness group, where individuals can come together to process grief, share experiences, and access mental health resources in a judgment-free environment.• Reaching the Youth: The conversation explores the challenges of providing mental health support to young people, the barriers to accessing help, and how the foundation is working to build connections with schools and families.• A Message of Hope: Tyra and Lynn emphasize that "It's okay to not be okay" and that no one should have to suffer in silence. They share resources, personal insights, and ways to seek support.
Join us for this heartfelt discussion about the power of community, the importance of mental health awareness, and honoring Jordan’s memory by helping others find light in their darkest moments.