659. How to Design Impactful Programs with Dignity (Melissa Helmbrecht) Artwork

We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

The We Are For Good Podcast brings nonprofit professionals + everyday changemakers into conversations with the most innovative, heartwired leaders in social impact. Hosted by Jon McCoy + Becky Endicott, each episode unpacks fresh mindsets, practical skills + inspiring stories designed to help you work smarter, build healthier cultures + accelerate our collective impact.

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We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits

659. How to Design Impactful Programs with Dignity (Melissa Helmbrecht)

November 17, 2025 • We Are For Good

Meet Melissa Helmbrecht 🤝, the CEO of Give Back. Founded by Bob Carr, this organization is rewriting what opportunity looks like for young people who've faced the hardest circumstances—from homelessness to abuse. In this episode, Melissa shows us the deep, lasting impact of true mentorship and the power of a supportive community.

Melissa shares how Give Back helps students not just survive, but truly thrive as leaders through comprehensive scholarships, dedicated coaching, and mentorship. We dive into Bob Carr’s inspiring legacy, whose mission of giving grew from a $250 scholarship he once received, now creating powerful systems of dignity for the next generation.

This episode is a testament to belief, the power of second chances, and in the extraordinary power of what happens when we create spaces where people feel seen, valued, and free to become who they were meant to be.

Episode Highlights:

Melissa's Formative Journey (05:00)
The Story of Give Back (07:00)
The Power of Small Acts of Kindness (07:23)
Empowering the Counted Out (10:06)
Reframing Identity and Potential (12:42)
Programs Centered in Dignity (15:30)
Building Trust and Consistency (18:10)
Stories of Transformation (21:09)
The Power of Lived Experience (22:32)
Bridging Generations in Philanthropy (25:49)
Transforming Adversity into Opportunity (28:22)
Melissa’s One Good Thing (30:21)

Episode Shownotes: www.weareforgood.com/episode/659

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