Hope In Action

CLIENT STORY: Hope In Action With Sheri Jones Episode 00: Davon & Tavon Woods

CLIENT STORY: Hope In Action With Sheri Jones Episode 00: Davon and Tavon Woods

Hope in Action: Davon & Tavon Woods Turn Foster Care Pain Into Purpose Across America

Some stories stop you in your tracks. Others keep walking—mile after mile—until the whole country starts paying attention.

That’s exactly what’s happening with Davon and Tavon Woods, twin brothers and founders of Foster Kids Matter, whose mission is transforming foster care awareness into a movement built on hope, healing, and human connection. Featured through Hope in Action, the new community-centered series from Uno Deuce Media, the Woods brothers are proving that even the hardest beginnings can become the foundation for something powerful.

And they’re not just talking about change. They’re walking it. Literally.

Walking With Purpose Across Every State

Davon and Tavon committed themselves to an ambitious mission: walking 20 miles in every state across the country to raise awareness for children in foster care.

Not for attention. Not for headlines. For the kids who feel forgotten.

“We’re walking 20 miles in every state to raise awareness for children in the foster care system. We want everyone to know they matter.”

It’s a simple message, but one that hits hard. Because for many foster youth, feeling invisible becomes part of everyday life. The Woods brothers know that reality firsthand. As they travel city to city—from their home state of South Carolina to Lansing, Michigan, and beyond—they’re creating moments that go deeper than social media clips or speeches. They’re shaking hands. Listening to stories. Hugging kids who finally feel seen.

And every mile carries meaning.

A Childhood Defined By Uncertainty

Before there was a national walk, there was survival.

Davon and Tavon were born into difficult circumstances. Their mother struggled with addiction and didn’t know she was carrying twins. Shortly after birth, the brothers entered foster care, where they would remain for most of their childhood. They didn’t meet their biological family until they were 17 years old.

Those years weren’t easy. Foster placements, instability, emotional hardship, and unanswered questions shaped much of their early lives. Even adoption brought its own challenges and pain.

But instead of allowing trauma to define them, the brothers made a different decision: turn pain into purpose.

“We decided to do the hard part—speaking up for kids who are afraid to speak up.” That choice became the foundation for Foster Kids Matter.

Foster Kids Matter Is More Than A Name

For Davon and Tavon, the organization isn’t just advocacy—it’s personal responsibility.

Foster Kids Matter exists to remind young people in foster care that their stories, struggles, and futures carry value. Through events, community outreach, speaking engagements, and their nationwide walk, the brothers are creating spaces where foster youth feel heard instead of overlooked.

And the impact is already undeniable.

Former foster youth regularly message them to say thank you. Some share their own stories for the first time. Others simply express relief that someone finally understands what they’ve experienced.

“One person messaged us crying, saying, ‘Thank you for giving us a voice.’” That kind of connection fuels the mission forward.

The “Keeping It Fresh” Program Brings Confidence One Pair At A Time

One of the most heartfelt pieces of the Foster Kids Matter initiative is the “Keeping It Fresh” program, which provides brand-new sneakers to foster youth across the country.

It may sound small to some people. To foster kids, it can mean everything.

Growing up with hand-me-downs, limited choices, or feeling different from everyone else can chip away at confidence. Davon and Tavon remember what that felt like. So now, they’re making sure other kids experience something different.

“A fresh pair of sneakers gives you encouragement and confidence to keep stepping.”

The shoes are symbolic, but the message behind them runs deeper: You deserve something new. You deserve dignity. You deserve to feel proud walking into a room. And honestly? That kind of hope changes people.

Leaving Comfort Behind To Make A Difference

At some point, Davon and Tavon realized this mission couldn’t stay part-time.

So they stepped away from traditional jobs and committed themselves fully to Foster Kids Matter and the national awareness campaign. It was a leap of faith—one built on belief, purpose, and community support.

The road hasn’t been easy. There are long days, financial challenges, and emotional moments that come with constantly revisiting painful experiences.

But they keep going. Because they know there are kids watching.

Building Community Through Hope In Action

What makes their story fit so naturally into Hope in Action is that it’s rooted in community. Everywhere they go, the Woods brothers create conversations around healing, resilience, and possibility.

In Lansing, they connected with local foster youth and community leaders who embraced their message immediately. Kids lined up for photos, autographs, and conversations—not because Davon and Tavon are celebrities, but because they represent something rare: Understanding.

The brothers continue to remind audiences that everybody goes through struggles, whether they grew up in foster care or not. Their message isn’t about comparing pain. It’s about refusing to let pain have the final word.

“Trials and tribulations are supposed to give us hope, not destroy us.” That perspective has become the heartbeat of their movement.

The Next Chapter: A Documentary & The Big Walk

The mission is only getting bigger.

Davon and Tavon are currently working on a documentary that will share their full story—the hardships, the healing, and the journey behind the movement. They believe people need to see the full picture, not just the polished highlights.

They’re also preparing for a major walk event at the State Capitol on May 23rd, inviting communities everywhere to join them in supporting foster youth and spreading awareness.

And if their journey so far proves anything, it’s this: One conversation can create hope. One act of kindness can change confidence. And one step can inspire thousands more.

Final Thoughts

Davon and Tavon Woods are doing more than raising awareness. They’re creating visibility for kids who often feel unseen. They’re building confidence where insecurity once lived. And they’re proving that resilience can become leadership when people choose purpose over bitterness.

Their story is exactly what Hope in Action is all about: real people creating real change through compassion, courage, and community. One mile at a time.

HOPE IN ACTION: Lansing’s New Podcast Shining a Light on Community Change

HOPE IN ACTION: Lansing’s New Podcast Shining a Light on Community Change

Hope in Action: Lansing’s New Podcast Shining a Light on Community Change

There’s something powerful about hearing people talk passionately about the work they do. Not polished-for-TV passion. Real passion. The kind that comes from showing up every day for a community, building relationships, and helping others without needing the spotlight.

That’s exactly what Hope in Action is all about.

Created by UnoDeuce Multimedia and hosted by Sheri Jones and Paul Schmidt, Hope in Action is more than just another podcast. It’s a new community-centered platform focused on uplifting nonprofit organizations, celebrating collaboration, and highlighting the positive stories happening throughout Lansing and beyond.

And honestly? It feels like the kind of project this community needs right now.

More Than a Podcast

From the jump, Sheri and Paul make it clear—Hope in Action isn’t built to be surface-level content.

Yes, it’s a podcast. Yes, it’s a half-hour program. But it’s also a place for longer conversations, deeper storytelling, and authentic moments that don’t always fit neatly into quick social clips.

The show will stream online and also air through the Lansing Public Media Center, giving these stories even more room to breathe and connect with people.

“We’re talking about our inaugural podcast,” Sheri says early on. “Not just a podcast, also a half-hour program.”

That distinction matters. Because Hope in Action isn’t trying to chase trends. It’s trying to build connections.

Inside the Hub Where Collaboration Happens

The series launches from UnoDeuce Multimedia’s studio inside “The HUB,” a collaborative space operated by Child and Family Charities. And this place is busy—in the best way possible.

Right now, the Hub houses 19 nonprofits all working side-by-side, sharing ideas, resources, and support. That environment became the spark for Hope in Action itself.

The concept was simple: if all these incredible organizations are already doing meaningful work together, why not create a platform that tells those stories? Not just the stories happening inside the HUB, either. The vision stretches outward into the entire Lansing community—featuring nonprofit leaders, community organizers, advocates, and collaborators making a difference every day.

A Different Theme Every Month

Instead of random conversations each episode, Hope in Action organizes its content around a monthly theme. Topics could include youth empowerment, mental health, food insecurity, housing, healthcare, or community outreach.

Each month, up to three organizations will join the conversation to discuss:
– Current programming
– Upcoming events
– Community impact
– Stories worth celebrating
– Ways people can get involved

It keeps the show focused while also allowing a wide range of voices to be heard. And because these conversations are rooted locally, they feel personal—not corporate.

Sheri Jones and Paul Schmidt Bring the Energy

If you know Sheri Jones, you already know she has a way of making people feel comfortable almost instantly. Her warmth and curiosity help bring out honest conversations, while Paul’s production background and storytelling instincts keep everything moving naturally.

Together, the dynamic works. There’s a genuine excitement behind what they’re building, and that energy comes through immediately.

“This is a relationship-building space,” Paul explains during the launch episode. “It’s collaboration. It’s really lifting up others.” That line pretty much captures the whole spirit of the project.

Partnerships Matter

Hope in Action also highlights something Uno Deuce has always understood well—great storytelling rarely happens alone.

One of the program’s key collaborators is LAFCU, which stepped in as an early supporter of the show and even helped inspire the name itself. That partnership reflects the larger goal of the project: bringing organizations together around a shared mission of community impact.

Because when nonprofits, businesses, media creators, and community leaders work together, good things happen. Simple as that.

Built for Community Interaction

Hope in Action isn’t designed to be one-way communication. Sheri and Paul want people involved.

That means:
– Submitting local events
– Sharing nonprofit stories
– Recommending organizations
– Engaging through social media
– Supporting causes highlighted on the show

The program will also feature event calendars and updates tied to each month’s theme, helping viewers connect directly with opportunities happening in the community.

In other words, this isn’t just content to consume—it’s content meant to activate people.

Why This Matters

There’s no shortage of negative headlines these days. That’s part of why Hope in Action feels refreshing. It’s not ignoring challenges. It’s simply choosing to spotlight the people actively working to solve them.

The volunteers. The nonprofit teams. The community builders. The organizations creating impact quietly every single day.

Those stories deserve attention too. And in classic Uno Deuce fashion, the approach stays grounded in authenticity, conversation, and community-first storytelling.

Final Thoughts

Hope in Action arrives at the perfect time—a reminder that good things are happening all around us if we take the time to look. With Sheri Jones, Paul Schmidt, UnoDeuce Multimedia and a growing network of community partners leading the way, this new program feels less like a media launch and more like the beginning of a movement centered on positivity, collaboration, and real human connection.

The stories are here. The people are here. Now the spotlight is too.

And honestly? We’re ready to tune in.

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