Amy Torrez, Paul's Place, We Are For Good Podcast

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Overview

Meet Amy. She knows what it's like to be displaced during a loved one's medical emergency. And she's removing those barriers for future families. Amy founded Paul’s Place following her father's 6-month experience with temporary medical housing while fighting lymphoma. "My last months with my father may have been just days if it had not been for the generosity shown to us at that time." 🎧Tune in to hear a heart-warming story about a legacy that's paying generosity forward.

💡LEARN
-The Mission of Paul's Place
-Lessons learned in embracing adversity
-How the nonprofit pivoted during COVID
-Why ordinary people are chasing passion into nonprofit

Today’s Guest

Amy Torrez, Founder, CEO + Executive Director, Paul’s Place

“Embrace adversity. Those who can be flexible enough to see all different types of options or create their own options are going to be the most successful.”

— Amy Torrez, Founder, CEO + Executive Director, Paul’s Place

Episode Transcript

Download Full Episode Transcript Here

Episode highlights

Amy’s story and journey to where she is today (2:30)
The founding story and mission of Paul’s Place (11:00)
Amy’s advice for nonprofit professionals who are in “survival mode” (16:00)
A powerful moment of philanthropy in Amy’s life (19:00)
Amy’s One Good Thing: Embrace adversity. (24:00)

powerful quotes

“They ended up finding a church organization that provided fully furnished apartments for families in our situation that were coming to Houston for medical treatment.” -Amy

“It was a home literally away from home for me.” -Amy

“There was no organization here in Fort Wayne, that catered directly to just adult patients.” -Amy

“I had the network and experience to know, you know, this is why I was born and raised everyone I went to school with now have their own businesses are working in their parents businesses, you know, I had that network there of this is where I can go to them to help get this funded.” -Amy

“We've been housing families since March of 2017.” -Amy

“Survival mode is very much a thread not only of your story, but of this mission.” -Becky

“Take a moment, take a breather, and refill your own cup so you have the strength and energy and motivation to continue on with your mission.” -Amy

“While you're in your quiet space, or your respite time, remember your why.” -Amy

“That just speaks to the power of what we saw so much in health care, philanthropy, which is the the mightiness, and the power and conviction of a grateful patient. And when you come alongside someone with compassion, with basic needs, with just love and concern, something happens in that moment where you are fused together for life with that person who is enduring probably one of the hardest moments in their life in such a vulnerable place.” -Becky

“Embrace adversity. Those who can be flexible enough to see all different types of options or create their own options are going to be the most successful.” -Amy

“Embrace the adversity, and know that there's going to be obstacles that are going to come up. Take a minute, look at all the different options, and see if you can create your own options and go from there.” -Amy

Connect with amy and paul’s place

Website / LinkedIn / Instagram / Connect with Amy

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