Podcast Summary: RKD Group: Thinkers

Episode: Destigmatizing Homelessness and Rebuilding Support Systems in 20 Years of Mission Work

Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Nipa Eason (RKD Group)
Guest: Jamie Buxton (City Mission, Cleveland, Ohio)

Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode features Jamie Buxton, a dedicated leader at Cleveland’s City Mission, reflecting on 20 years of working with those experiencing homelessness. Together with host Nipa Eason, Jamie discusses her personal motivations, the evolution of her mission-driven career, the importance of community and support systems, and the need to destigmatize homelessness. The conversation is filled with personal stories and actionable insights for nonprofit professionals and anyone invested in compassionate service.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jamie’s Calling & Career Journey

• From an early age, Jamie felt called to serve, inspired by her youth pastor and a friend's mother who suggested youth ministry as a path ([03:16]).
• Studied youth ministry and missions, struggled with a traditional church route, and sought real-world impact.
• Chose mission work in Belize over an opportunity in Chicago, realizing that sometimes “God just gives us a choice” ([04:12]).
• Returned from Belize to join City Mission, unexpectedly finding her lifelong passion:

  “I know that some of them will watch this, but I say it all the time, behind my CEOs and my boss’s back, that I’d probably work for free just because I was given so much opportunity to grow up and kind of find who I was made to be in the context of this ministry.” ([07:28])

• Balancing motherhood and mission: Her four boys grew up alongside her at Laura’s Home, allowing her to be both a full-time parent and a committed nonprofit leader ([07:58]).

Evolution of Jamie’s Role & Community Building

• No typical day: Jamie now oversees community engagement, church and corporate partnerships, fundraising events, and a women’s giving circle ([09:20], [10:21]).
• The pandemic shaped her community-building role:

  “No one wanted to have community with me in 2020 and really not in 2021 and some of 2022 either.” ([09:20])

• Focus: Advocacy and education, especially around destigmatizing homelessness and showing the humanity of those experiencing crisis.
• Women’s Giving Circle: Engaging 75 donors in hands-on involvement and discretionary philanthropy.

Destigmatizing Homelessness & Motivations

• Common misconception: Homelessness “won’t touch me”—Jamie counters this with stories and educational programs ([11:50]).
• Jamie’s personal story about impact and role modeling:

  “She was like, ‘I do it because I want to be like you.’ And, gosh, I didn’t expect to get emotional retelling that story. My heart really is kind of destigmatizing what homelessness looks like…” ([00:00], [15:10])

• Motivation through ripple effect: Even in “backstage” community roles, the awareness that “you never know who’s watching” sustains her daily drive ([15:10]).

Program Highlights & Support Systems

• Bridges Out of Poverty: A foundational philosophy at City Mission, bridging understanding across socioeconomic divides and equipping staff and volunteers ([17:46]).
• Christmas Giving Redesign: Prioritizing dignity, mothers now select and purchase gifts for a small fee, restoring agency and pride ([17:46]):

  “We want to give … the dignity back to the moms.”
  “I had to stop myself. It really was one of those things where I was like, yeah, I did just say I. And what I do a whole lot right here. And that was really convicting.” ([20:56])

Common Misconceptions about Homelessness

• Many people wrongly assume homeless individuals are “lazy,” addicted, or “have no one who loves them” ([23:20]).
• The true underlying thread is broken support systems, not emotional isolation. Residents may have many who care about them, just not with material or constructive support:

  “Broken support systems. Right. That is the one thing they all kind of have in common.” ([23:40])

Rebuilding and Replicating Support Systems

• City Mission works to help clients build, maintain, and replicate healthy support systems after leaving the shelter ([25:55]).
• They cultivate volunteers and partners, fostering safe and welcoming environments in both faith and secular contexts ([26:19]).
• Partnerships with groups help women transition into churches and communities, continuing support beyond program graduation ([28:40]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• From Jamie on empowerment and impact:

  “I want people to understand that crisis does not discriminate… What we are doing … is serving people who are going through what I describe to kids as a really big problem that we can’t solve on our own.” ([16:23])

• On the importance of agency for recipients:

  “I want to choose that special gift that I know my kiddo wants… How can we put ourselves in check and take the us as the saviors out of it and give dignity to the…programs our residents are going to go through and work through themselves, not what we’re doing for them.” ([22:07])

• Debunking stereotypes:

  “People think that individuals experiencing homelessness are lazy or that they’re all addicted to something… It’s broken support systems.” ([23:20])

• On hope and partnership:

  “We just hope that when we have conversations that are real like this one, that people will hear that and say, ‘Well, I can be part of that. This is something I can do.’” ([29:13])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00] Jamie’s emotional story about being a role model and destigmatizing homelessness
• [03:16] Jamie’s early calling, college, and decision to serve in Belize
• [06:19] How Jamie joined City Mission, and growth through different roles
• [09:20] Transition into community engagement and building partnerships post-COVID
• [13:48] Motivations, program impact, and personal stories about influence
• [17:46] Bridges Out of Poverty—principles and teaching, Christmas program redesign for dignity
• [23:20] Addressing misconceptions and the reality of broken support systems
• [25:55] Building supportive, safe environments and volunteer partnerships
• [29:31] How community collaborations are empowering clients beyond the mission

Tone & Style

Jamie is candid, compassionate, and practical—and deeply reflective about both her failures and her wins. Nipa’s warm, affirming style draws out actionable takeaways and emotional anecdotes, making this episode a blend of inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone working with or wanting to understand homelessness and nonprofit service.

Takeaways for Listeners

1. Career Paths Are Not Always Linear: You don’t need clear signs—sometimes, simply choosing the path that feels most right is enough.
2. Homelessness is Complex: The most common thread isn’t substance abuse or irresponsibility; it’s fractured support systems. Addressing these allows for deep, meaningful impact.
3. Our Influence is Powerful, Even When We Don’t Realize It: We never know who’s watching or learning from us; small moments of humanity matter deeply.

For nonprofit leaders, volunteers, and anyone interested in real, dignifying support for vulnerable populations, this episode showcases both the challenges and beauty of compassionate service—reminding us how vital empathy and genuine connection are in effecting lasting change.