Every Child Succeeds is a national priority. Learn how Gateway Cities around Western Massachusetts have responded to the new standards with Henry Thomas, President of the Urban League of Springfield MA. Also, STEM Initiatives are discussed. Interview recorded May 23, 2017. Hosted by Nathan O'Leary.

Springfield MA is undergoing economic growth downtown with a train station, innovation district and the MGM casino. With an uptick in the economy and the region being home to many colleges and universities, Springfield is an attractive to live and work. Springfield Regional Chamber, Nancy Creed, discusses the many opportunities for growing a business in Springfield MA. Interview recorded May 23, 2017. Hosted by Nathan O'Leary.

There is enough food on the planet and locally to feed everyone that needs to be fed. Much of our food supply is wasted. Rachel's Table Springfield, a project of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts,has a mission to alleviate hunger and to reduce waste of our food resources in Western Massachusetts. Director, Debbie Rubenstein sits down with Eric Clemons to discuss how they go about rescuing food from restaurants, bakeries, supermarkets, farms etc. and redirecting it to agencies that serve the hungry. Interview recorded May 23, 2017. Hosted by Nathan O'Leary.

STEM, Leadership Skills and Camp are staples of the girl scout experience. Not to mention the cookies.  Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts, Pattie Hallberg, sits down with Eric Clemons to talk about modern day Girl Scouting. Interview recorded May 23, 2017. Hosted by Nathan O'Leary. Who We Are We're 2.6 million strong-1.8 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)„¢ to change the world. Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon "Daisy" Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we've honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We're the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. Our Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scout Promise  On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be     honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to  respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.