The Aging Out Podcast

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Tammy Spence, Founder and Executive Director of Second Shift based in Alabaster, Alabama. Tammy and Lynn talk about Second Shift's many services for youth aging out of care, their "host home" transitional living model; opportunities that could improve the foster care system, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Jordan Bartlett (Co-Founder) and Denae Esteban (Research Intern) from Doing Good Works based in Irvine, California. Jordan, Denae, and Lynn talk about their organization's for-profit, social enterprise model; the 10/20/30 structure that enables financial support, mentoring, and employment for youth aging out of care; and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases based in Rockville, Maryland. Rob and Lynn talk about Rob's own experience in foster care, the mission of Comfort Cases to eliminate the use of trash bags as suitcases in the foster care system, the importance of providing dignity and hope to youth in care, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Whitney Gilliard, Co-Founder and CEO of Gilliard and Company based in Pooler, Georgia. Whitney and Lynn talk about Gilliard and Company's transitional housing and mentor programs for youth in transition (age 18 to 21), their "Haven Room" for youth entering foster care or between placements, how the program has continued working with youth during the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Patricia Holland, Founder and President of All Things New, Inc. based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Patricia and Lynn talk about the All Things New coaching program for foster youth (both those still in care and those who have already aged out), local partnerships to help foster youth achieve their life goals, how the program was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Greg Rapport, Founder and Executive Director of Age-Out Angels based in Columbus, New Jersey. Greg and Lynn talk about Age-Out Angels' mentoring program for foster youth (both those still in care and those who have already aged out), how the program was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new partnership with a local community college to help foster youth get caught up educationally, and more. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Sue Evans, Chief Operations Officer of Walden Family Services based in San Diego, California. Sue and Lynn talk about Walden's transitional housing program for foster youth who choose to participate in the state's extended foster care services; key strategies for supporting youth who are aging out; how their program was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Dr. Sebrena Jackson, Founder and Director of the National Social Work Enrichment Program (NSEP) based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Sebrena and Lynn talk about NSEP's summer program designed to expose older foster youth to the college experience; ideas for improving the foster care system; how their program was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Erin NeSmith, Founder and Executive Director of Grow Into You Foundation in Riverview, Florida. Erin and Lynn talk about their coaching, mentoring, and transitional housing programs; ideas for improving the foster care system; how their program has managed through COVID-19, and more. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Ann Marie Binsner, Executive Director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in Prince George's County, Maryland. Ann Marie and Lynn talk about how CASA volunteers advocate for foster youth in the courts, the benefits of their advocacy work, the importance of having youth engaged in the planning of their own future, how their program has managed through COVID-19, and more.