This week on In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we speak with Melanie Trewyn of Remember for Change. The local nonprofit works to prevent drunk and impaired driving. Its founders established the organization in memory of their daughter, who was killed in a crash caused by a drunk driver.We also speak with Gabby McHenry of FAU Harbor Branch, a local research institution that provides opportunities for the public to learn about the Treasure Coast and its waterways. The discussion explores the region's aquatic ecosystems and the research team's work collecting data on local waters.

This week on In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we sit down with Michael Keen of 4kids. The local non-profit is focused on providing children in our community with a loving foster family, with the eventual goal of returning them home.Later on, we are joined by Marty Mercardo of Hope for Families. The group seeks to uplift families in our community who are struggling financially by providing them with a place to stay and recovery programs.Both non-profits have fundraisers coming up this October, and are asking the community for their support.

On this week's episode of In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we sit down Sonia and Skip DuPree of E.N.D. It, as well as Sean Boyle of the Children's Services Council of St. Lucie County.The local non-profit was created to give youth on the Treasure Coast a space to express themselves artistically through dance, song, production, and more. All the while, they are taught valuable life skills, form bonds, and learn from positive influences. Together, we talk about their programs, as well as their upcoming "Mic Drop" event, slated for Oct. 3.

On this week's episode of In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we sit down with Caitlin Swindell and Suzanne Seldes of the Vero Beach Museum of Art. The local museum has received national praise for its carefully curated exhibits that accentuate the value of art.Together, we talk about what the museum is offering now versus what will be offered in the future. The museum is currently working towards the construction of its new, larger campus, which will not only expand access to art in our communities, but also be a work of art itself.

This week on In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we sit down with Irela Guevara of Treasure Coast Food Bank. The local non-profit fights food insecurity one day at a time through its food distribution network.Together, we talk about the issue of food insecurity in the tri-county area, how they work every day to help, and the role you can have in their mission. September is also Hunger Action Month, a time where groups like TCFB lean on the community to spread awareness and join the fight against hunger.

This week on In Focus, we sit down with Roxy Brown of CareBag, a local non-profit dedicated to increasing access to hygiene. Founded nearly 10 years ago, the group provides things showers to those who need it the most.Together, we will talk about their founding, the rising barriers to cleanliness, and the programs they're employing to fight that.

On this week's episode of In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we sit down with Janay Hall of the Treasure Coast Girls Coalition, or TCGC.The non-profit was founded in 2021 and seeks to uplift, educate and empower girls in our community as they take the steps to adulthood. Together, we talk about the many after school programs they have in place to accomplish this goal, and why providing guidance at such a young age is pivotal for success.

This week on In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we sit down with Rob Ranieri of House of Hope. The local non-profit found humble beginnings back in 1984, with two people giving away sandwiches from the trunk of their car.Now, they have blossomed into something much more, serving multiple counties with a broad spectrum of programs. Together, we talk about those programs and their importance, and their attempt to break the world record for longest cuban sandwich.

This week on In Focus, we sit down with Anita Fischer of TCCEED, along with interns Mikael Baltodano and Kendrick Braynen. TCCEED aims to keep employees on the Treasure Coast by connecting them with employers.One of the ways they do that is through their summer internship program. Together, we talk about the intern's experience so far, and how their internships have shaped their career ambitions. We also talk about the importance of keeping workers local, and why it's important to invest in our youth.

On this week's episode of In Focus, we are joined by Sara MacDonald, Terri Zuidema, and Karen Cartmill of the St. Lucie extension of UF/IFAS, a non-profit wing of UF which focuses on educating the public on agriculture, plants, and more.Together, we talk about their mission, the master gardeners, and their upcoming pollinator survey, which leans on the public to help identify the county's pollinator population.

On this week's episode of In Focus, presented by IRSC Public Media, we sit down with Sue Curtis and Liz Bahl of the Learning Alliance, a treasure-coast-based non-profit aimed at increasing literacy in schools. Together, we talk about a literacy crisis in America, the programs they have to help keep our students at grade level, and why it's so important to not let a child fall behind.

On this week's episode of In Focus, we sit down with Bob Calhoun of Habitat for Humanity of St. Lucie County, a local non-profit dedicated to fighting the rising tide of unaffordable housing on the Treasure Coast.The group works tirelessly through its expansive range of programs to get people who normally couldn't afford shelter into a home. Together, Bob and I talk the challenges both they and the people they serve face in their mission, and who they are working to fix it one person at a time.