In this episode, we break down:

• The Transition to State-Funded Benefits: Why COFA migrants and others are moving from federal SNAP to state-funded support—and why you won't need to reapply.
• New SNAP Work Requirements: Who is exempt (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and those with children under 14) and who must meet new criteria to keep their benefits.
• LIHEAP & Your Budget: How changes to utility deductions might decrease monthly food benefit amounts for some households.
• The Community Care Hub Program: Discover this free and voluntary resource that pairs you with a Care Coordinator to help you manage medical appointments, find transportation, and navigate government resources.

Don't wait until your benefits change. Learn how to complete your eligibility review on time and where to find local resources like 211 and the DSHS Contact Center

Are you up to date on the latest changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)? In this essential update, we break down the critical SNAP & Work Rules taking effect in 2026. If you or someone you know relies on SNAP, this episode is a must-listen to understand the new compliance requirements and, most importantly, identify who qualifies for exemptions.

We navigate the regulatory changes so you don’t have to. We clarify exactly what the work rules are, who they apply to, and the specific documentation needed to secure an exemption. Don’t risk losing your benefits; get informed today.

KEY POINTS WE COVER:

• Detailed breakdown of the specific 2026 SNAP Work Rule changes.
• Who is automatically exempt and who must apply for exemptions.
• The definition of compliance and the consequences of non-compliance.
• Step-by-step guidance on how to provide proof of exemption.
• Where to find additional resources and community support Link: www.loveoverwhelming.org

#WashingtonState #SNAP #FoodAssistance #DSHS #CommunityCareHub #HealthEquity #PublicBenefits #WA211 #SocialServices #NutritionSecurity

You’ll learn three simple, powerful ways to make a difference right now:

1. Volunteer at a local food bank.
2. Donate to organizations feeding families.
3. Advocate for federal SNAP funding in Washington State.

From St. Vincent de Paul in Longview to Food 4 Change in Cowlitz County, this episode celebrates the heart of Southwest Washington, where compassion turns into action.

Listen, take action, and share this message to remind your neighbors they are not alone.

Featured Organizations:

• FISH of Cowlitz County
• St. Vincent de Paul Longview
• Lower Columbia CAP Help Warehouse
• Salvation Army Longview
• South Kelso Neighborhood Association
• Radical Love
• Food 4 Change Cowlitz County

Advocacy Contacts: Sen. Patty Murray • Sen. Maria Cantwell • Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez • Sen. Jeff Wilson 📞 Washington Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000

Take Action: Visit loveoverwhelming.org to volunteer, donate, or organize a food drive.

Winter is approaching—and the question on everyone’s mind is simple: what will Mother Nature bring this year? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), colder-than-normal conditions are expected across the Pacific Northwest, including right here in Cowlitz County. That means more rain, more snow, and more need for community connection in Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Woodland, and Castle Rock.

This episode explores how the forecast affects everyone—from homeowners and commuters to our most vulnerable neighbors facing homelessness or housing instability.

Key Topics

• NOAA’s 2025 winter forecast for Southwest Washington
• Local implications for Longview, Kelso, Kalama, Woodland, and Castle Rock
• Power outages, icy roads, and higher heating costs
• How cold weather impacts people experiencing homelessness
• What Love Overwhelming and community partners are doing to respond
• Practical steps you can take to make a difference this winter

“No one in Cowlitz County should face the cold alone. No one should die on our streets. There are solutions.”

Love Overwhelming’s mission is to extend hope + purpose through accountability, recovery, and community. Our work is rooted in compassion and action—ensuring every person has a safe place to weather the storm.

Local Spotlight

• Longview & Kelso: Preparing warming shelters, expanding outreach coverage.
• Kalama: Community check-ins for seniors and families in need.
• Woodland: Coordination with local churches for emergency shelter space.
• Castle Rock: Volunteer networks assisting with snow shoveling, food delivery, and welfare checks.

Together, these efforts define who we are—neighbors who care.

The NOAA forecast reminds us that this winter will test our community—but forecasts don’t define outcomes. Our compassion does.

Let’s make sure that no matter how cold it gets, hope remains warm in Cowlitz County.

Cowlitz County, Longview WA, Kelso WA, Kalama WA, Woodland WA, Castle Rock WA, NOAA forecast, Pacific Northwest weather, winter 2025, Love Overwhelming, homelessness, outreach, severe weather shelter, volunteer, nonprofit, local podcast, Cowlitz community, cold weather response, community care, compassion in action

- Show Notes

Welcome to the Love Overwhelming Podcast, where we dive into real stories, solutions, and the fight to end homelessness i Washington State. This episode explores how we can shift the narrative around homelessness, addiction, and recovery through peer support, harm reduction, and housing assistance.

How We Can Change the Narrative:

Invest in Affordable Housing – Support policies that expand emergency and permanent housing options.

Expand Peer Support Services – Lived experience matters. Connecting people to someone who’s been there makes all the difference.

Support Harm Reduction – Recovery starts with safety, stability, and dignity.

Spread the Word! The Love Overwhelming Podcast shares real experiences and practical solutions—help us make an impact by sharing this episode!

🔗 Get Involved & Learn More:

Website: www.loveoverwhelming.org

Follow Us on Social Media:

Facebook: Love Overwhelming

Instagram: @loveoverwhelming

Twitter: @loveoverwhelming

Let’s create real change—one conversation at a time. Subscribe, like, and share this episode! #LoveOverwhelming #HomelessNotHopeless #PeerSupport #HarmReduction #WashingtonStateHomeless #EndHomelessness #activeaddiction #washingtonstate #longviewwashington #kelsowashington #cowlitzcounty #punishersquad #protest #recovery #peer #harmreduction #

Keywords & Topics Covered in This Episode: Love Overwhelming,

Love Overwhelming Podcast, homeless, Love, homeless not hopeless, peer support, community health worker, harm reduction, active addiction, recovery, Washington State homeless, homeless services Washington State, Housing assistance Washington State, Rent assistance Washington State, Emergency housing Washington State, Homeless crisis response Washington State, Domestic violence shelters Washington State, Homeless youth Washington State, Homeless prevention Washington State, Homeless resources Washington State, Washington State homelessness statistics, Washington 2-1-1 services, Washington State Department of Commerce homelessness, Homeless grants Washington State.

An active addict accessed the Love Overwhelming warming shelter 9 years ago... Where is she now? Listen and share!

Hear my run-in with an elected Longview Wa. City Council Member who was in line to access our Warming Shelter (Severe Weather Shelter)!

I share resources about Cowlitz, Clark, and Thurston County Warming Shelters.

Links:

Deborah

https://youtu.be/2SuYsgcZYvg

First Christian Church shelter's first night apparently goes smoothly

https://tdn.com/news/local/first-christian-church-shelters-first-night-apparently-goes-smoothly/article_db13b257-9b35-58d3-b79d-9dd9895a5fc0.html

Warming Shelter Resources across Washington State

www.211.org

Interfaith Works: Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

www.iwshelter.org/code-blue.html

www.iwshelter.org

Council for the Homeless: Vancouver, Washington - Clark County

www.facebook.com/CouncilfortheHomeless

info@councilforthehomeless.org

www.councilforthehomeless.org

Salvation Army Longview Temple: Longview, Washington - Cowlitz County

https://www.facebook.com/SalvationArmyLongview

https://www.facebook.com/CityofLongviewWA

Love Overwhelming: Longview, Washington – Cowlitz County

Facebook: ➡️ www.facebook.com/loveoverwhelming ⬅️

Instagram: ➡️ www.instagram.com/loveoverwhelming ⬅️

TikTok: ➡️ www.tiktok.com/@loveoverwhelming ⬅️

YouTube: ➡️ www.youtube.com/@SirCharlesXIII ⬅️

🌐 Visit our website for resources and support 🌐

➡️ www.loveoverwhelming.org ⬅️

This conversation is raw, real, and proof that transformation is possible. Brittany doesn't just talk about recovery—she lives it every day, using her lived experience to help others find hope in their own journeys through substance abuse, trauma, and homelessness.

In this episode, you'll hear:

- How Brittany survived rock bottom and began her recovery journey

- What peer support specialist training involves and why lived experience matters

- How trauma-informed care works in real community health settings

- Practical hope for anyone struggling with addiction or supporting someone who is

- Why "we do recover" isn't just a saying—it's a promise

If you've ever wondered whether someone can come back from rock bottom, this episode is your answer. Recovery is possible. Redemption is real. Hope is here.

ABOUT BRITTANY:

Brittany is a certified Peer Support Specialist and Community Health Worker at Love Overwhelming, serving Cowlitz County, Washington. She uses her lived experience with addiction, homelessness, and trauma to support others on their recovery journeys.

ABOUT THE HOST:

Charles D. Hendrickson is the founder of Love Overwhelming, bringing decades of experience in housing, behavioral health, and peer support services. He believes that hope grows where understanding begins.

CONNECT:

Website: www.loveoverwhelming.org

Subscribe for more real recovery stories, peer support insights, and proof that love still changes everything.

KEYWORDS: addiction recovery, peer support specialist, community health worker, homelessness recovery, trauma recovery, substance abuse, lived experience, behavioral health, mental health, sobriety, redemption story, faith-based recovery, hope, Cowlitz County Washington, we do recover

#RecoveryIsPossible #PeerSupport #AddictionRecovery #LivedExperience #TraumaRecovery #LoveOverwhelming #WeDoRecover

Keywords: addiction. recovery, Brittany, peer support, homelessness, active addiction, trauma, community health worker, peer support specialist, lived experience, substance abuse, recovery story, redemption, hope, Cowlitz County, Washington, behavioral health, sobriety, transformation, rock bottom, we do recover

Don’t miss out—subscribe now to be the first to hear our new episodes in November!

#loveoverwhelmingpodcast #harmreduction #WoundCare #aberdeenwashington #ExtendHope

Subscribe! NEW full episodes from around the PNW region

*Upcoming FULL episodes are raw, unfiltered stories of those who have faced the most daunting challenges and have emerged stronger and more determined than ever.

From tales of hopelessness and addiction to incredible stories of survival and success, each episode is a testament to the power of support, community, and unwavering hope.

www.loveoverwhelming.org

#extendhope #homelessnothopeless #harmreduction #wedorecover #loveoverwhelming

*This is an excerpt from upcoming Season one (1) Love Overwhelming Podcast.

In this trailer, Executive Director Chuck Hendrickson shares a short story of Love Overwhelming's emergency shelter in Kelso, during its inception in 2015. Chuck recounts the unexpected demand they faced and the community’s mixed reactions as homelessness became more visible.

As the unhoused population bubbled to the surface a remarkable story of compassion and empathy turned into action. Meet Amie-Jo & Diana, the founder's and president's of Belly Brigade, a grassroots initiative born out of a profound desire to help those in need. Belly Brigade's journey began with simple acts of kindness, providing soup and bread from the trunk of her car to those experiencing homelessness. This episode (SUBSCRIBE for future FULL EPISODE) will explore how Amie-Jo and her volunteers have made a lasting impact by connecting with individuals, building relationships, and facilitating recovery.

Join us for this heartwarming trailer as we set the stage for a season filled with stories of resilience, compassion, and the transformative power of hope. Tune in soon for the full episode and many more inspiring stories.

Discover the heartwarming impact of community volunteerism. Join Melinda as she serves meals and hope to the unhoused population. How can you make a difference today? #volunteer #communitylove

Excerpt from our upcoming podcast with Love Overwhelming Peer Support and Community Health Worker, Brittany Champion. You will want to listen to Brittany's incredible journey from being unhoused and in active addiction in Cowlitz County to clean, sober, and utilizing her lived experience to help others.

Subscribe for more! #successstory #traumahealing #wedorecover #recovery #peersupport