Hopeful - A Story of Love and Transformation S1-E42

Megan Howell is the Executive Director and founder of Second Heart Homes, a Sarasota-based 501C3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to reviving the dignity of the homeless and mental health community through housing, support, and love. She holds a Masters in psychology and currently serves on the Leadership Council of the SunCoast Partnership to End Homelessness. Her background is in helping those with developmental disabilities, dementia, mental illness, and homelessness. She spent four years working with a similar population in Tokyo for a study that identified multi-cultural differences and commonalities affecting homelessness in Japan and the United States.

Megan founded Second Heart Homes in 2019 after housing a man who had been homeless for 25 years. Today, Second Heart Homes provides housing, support and love to homeless single adults living with mental illnesses. As of last week, Second Heart Homes has 12 homes that provide dignity and love to 68 formerly homeless men and women. Plus, they do it all without government funding.

Megan holds a Master’s in Psychology from Capella University and makes it a point to stay curious about homelessness and unique solutions. She loves to travel and compare homelessness in other countries, especially Japan. An artist at heart, she loves interior design and teaching Origami. Megan believes that Second Heart Homes is more than a passion project—it embodies the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, a reason to live.

Second Heart Homes is a local non-profit that provides housing with supportive services, and love to local Sarasota and Manatee homeless individuals experiencing mental illness.

Stephen R Smith, is an Influential leader in the self-improvement arena. The President and Founder of the Live with Nature Foundation Inc., is a registered Florida 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Sarasota, Florida. He is the Host and Producer of 4 television shows in his career. His current project the ""Get to Know Broadcast"" are Inspirational and Motivational interviews with Entrepreneurs and Business Owners. His guests share their wisdom and advice with the viewer and when you apply the principals discussed, you can enjoy your everyday life.

His personal stories describe his passion. This allows the viewer an opportunity to learn, grow and apply strategies that can completely transform their life. Positive Transformation and Empowerment are the goals of “The LWN Foundation”, and his television shows. An advocate for the Homeless, Mental Health and Cancer communities and also advocate against Human Trafficking.