Preparing Foster Youth for Adulting

AOI Episode 011: Interview with Amber Donovan, Founder and Executive Director of Community of Hope (Cleveland, OH)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Amber Donovan, Founder and Executive Director of Community of Hope in Cleveland, Ohio. Amber and Lynn talk about Community of Hope's team-based mentor program designed to build lasting relationships and support youth as they age out of foster care. They also discuss how Amber and her mentor teams are helping their youth be able to manage through the current COVID-19 crisis.

AOI Episode 010: Interview with Kate Danielson, Executive Director of Foster Progress (Chicago, IL)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Kate Danielson, the Executive Director of Foster Progress. Kate and Lynn talk about their mentor program designed to help youth aging out of foster care achieve their higher education goals, college road trips for youth, training they conduct for adults working with and mentoring foster youth, and how they are helping their youth they work with be able to manage during the current COVID-19 crisis.

 

 

AOI Episode 009: Interview with Dr. Johanna Greeson, University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Dr. Johanna Greeson, Associate Professor and Managing Faculty Director of The Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Greeson shares the research that she has published regarding youth aging out of foster care, the program she has developed on natural mentoring, how important it is for organizations to be able to demonstrate that their programs are supported by research, and a current study she is involved in regarding the impact that the current COVID-19 crisis is having on youth aging out of the system.

 

 

AOI Episode 008: Interview with Angela Lippens, Founder of Unfaulted (Haslet, TX)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Angela Lippens, the founder of Unfaulted in the Fort Worth area of Texas. Angela and Lynn talk about the mentor program that Angela has developed for young women aging out of foster care, some specific strategies to help youth age out of foster care successfully, and how they are helping the youth they work with be able to manage during the current COVID-19 crisis.

AOI Episode 007: Interview with Madeline Reedy, Senior Director of City Square's TRAC Program (Dallas, TX)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Madeline Reedy, Senior Director of the TRAC (Transition Resource Action Center) run by CitySquare. Madeline and Lynn talk about the transitional housing and other supports that her program offers youth in foster care and after they have aged out, some strategies to help youth age out of foster care successfully, and how they are helping the youth they work with be able to manage during the current COVID-19 crisis.

AOI Episode 006: Interview with Naketa Ross, Executive Director/Founder of ResilientMe, Inc. (Chandler, AZ)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Naketa Ross, the Executive Director and Founder of ResilientMe, Inc. Naketa and Lynn discuss Naketa's own experience aging out of foster care, her organization's approach to building resilience in foster youth, some strategies to help youth age out of foster care successfully, and how they are helping the youth they work with be able to manage during the current COVID-19 crisis.

AOI Episode 005: Interview with Rhonda Safford, Programs Manager for Reach Higher Montana (Helena, MT)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Rhonda Safford, the Programs Manager for Reach Higher Montana. Rhonda and Lynn talk about how Reach Higher Montana helps foster youth access higher education finances and be successful while attending college or trade schools, some strategies to help youth age out of foster care successfully, and how they are helping the youth they work with be able to manage during the current COVID-19 crisis.

 

 

AOI Episode 004: Interview with Andrea Ferrero and Dyalekt from Pockets Change

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Andrea Ferrero, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Pockets Change, as well as Dyalekt, the organization's Director of Pedagogy. Andrea, Dyalekt, and Lynn talk about Pockets Change and their innovative approach of blending hip hop pedagogy and financial education, different strategies to help youth age out of foster care successfully, and how they are helping the youth they work with be able to manage during the current COVID-19 crisis.

AOI Episode 003: Interview with Franco Vega, Executive Director/Founder of The Right Way Foundation (Los Angeles, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Franco Vega, Executive Director and Founder of The Right Way Foundation in Los Angeles, California. Franco and Lynn discuss The Right Way Foundation employment program for foster youth, different strategies to help youth age out of foster care successfully, and the challenges that they are trying to manage during the current COVID-19 crisis.

 

AOI Episode 002: Interview with Brittani Kindle, Program Director at Safe Families PLUS (Chicago, IL)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Brittani Kindle, Program Director at Safe Families PLUS in Chicago, Illinois. Brittani and Lynn discuss the Safe Families PLUS mentoring program, different strategies to help youth age out of foster care successfully, and opportunities for the foster system to improve how they prepare youth for independence.