Preparing Foster Youth for Adulting

Episode 091: Topic Discussion - Helping Foster Youth Acquire and Retain Employment

In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between two individuals connected with organizations that help youth aging out of foster care find and retain employment: Hope Broomham with Jim Riley Outreach (Plano, TX) and Andraya Slyter with The RightWay Foundation (Los Angeles, CA). During this conversation, we talked about different strategies to help foster youth find and keep employment to help them toward self-sufficiency. We also discussed generational differences that may be influencing employment expectations.

Episode 090: Interview with Brian Meza with Petra Cares (Cypress, TX)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Brian Meza, Executive Director of Petra Cares, a charitable arm of Petra Auto Products based in Cypress, Texas. Brian explained the history of Petra Cares, which provides an automotive foundations course for youth aging out of foster care and assists them with acquiring a job in the automotive industry after successfully completing that course. Through partnerships with Lone Star College and other organizations, this nonprofit ensures wrap-around supports for the youth who sign up for their 7-week program. They are a young organization, but they have caught the eye of other cities and are already in talks about expanding.

Episode 089: Interview with Donna Skora, Founder of Surrogate Grandparents USA (Summerfield, FL)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Donna Skora, Founder of Surrogate Grandparents USA, based in Summerfield, FL. We discussed the reason that she started this Facebook page, which is dedicated to connecting people in order to develop chosen families. We then moved into a conversation about how this site can help connect former foster youth with adults who can serve as surrogate family and mentors. We wrapped up with the challenges that youth aging out of foster care face, and how developing a strong relationship with supportive adults can be the key to making the transition successfully.

Episode 088: Interview with Joy Rios, Executive Director of Connect with a Wish (Virginia Beach, VA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Joy Rios, Founder and Executive Director of Connect with a Wish, located in Virginia Beach, VA. We talked about Joy's journey as an adoptive parent, which exposed her to the issues that youth in foster care face. We then discussed the launch of the organization as a holiday project and then expanded to providing youth with 'wishes' year round. The  mission has since expanded to 15 programs, providing support to foster youth from newborns to those who have aged out of care. Their next expansion will include their "Take 2 Community," a housing program for these young adults. 

Episode 087: Interview with Matt Bell, CEO of Pivotal (San Jose, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Matt Bell, CEO of Pivotal, located in San Jose, CA. We talked about the journey that brought Matt to the CEO role last year at Pivotal. We then discussed the roots of Pivotal's mission, which was giving youth educational scholarships. The  mission has grown since 1989 to include one-on-one educational coaching to support college and trades pursuits that starts as early as 8th grade and a summer internship when youth gain exposure and experience in the workforce. We also reviewed how the coaches are prepared to work with the youth and how they are matched. Finally, we brainstormed ideas for improving the foster care system.

Episode 086: Interview with Brandon Anderchuk, Executive Director of Hope’s Path (Spring, TX)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Brandon Anderchuk, Executive Director of Hope's Path located in Spring, TX. We discussed Brandon's background and the journey that brought him to taking on the leadership role at Hope's Path. We then talked about their relational focused approach to helping youth aging out of foster care or homeless by providing housing, case management, mentors, workforce development, and life skills classes for young men aged 18 to 28. We also discussed the next stage of their development, which includes building a triplex apartments (3 tiny homes) to allow for greater independence after participating in their core program. 

Episode 085: Topic Discussion - Helping Foster Youth Acquire and Maintain Housing

In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals connected with organizations that help youth aging out of foster care find and maintain housing: Betty Beatty with Empty Frames Initiative (Everett, WA), Carla Cleeton with the Transition Resource Action Center - TRAC (Dallas, TX), and Angela Youtsey with Olive Crest (Silverdale, WA). During this conversation, we talked about different strategies to help foster youth find and keep their own housing after leaving care. We also discussed ideas for improvements to the foster care system that would help youth be better prepared for getting their own place to live.

Episode 084: Interview with Nicole Davis, Executive Director of Operation: Achieve Independence (Spring, TX)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Nicole Davis, Executive Director of Operation: Achieve Independence (OAI) located in Spring, TX. We discussed Nicole's background and the journey that brought her to working with youth aging out of foster care. We then talked about OAI's strategy for providing caring mentors for youth and developing strong partnerships with other organizations and agencies to be able to provide a spectrum of services. Their primary programs address financial support for youth in transitional living situations, and helping youth with educational and career preparation. 

Episode 083: Topic Discussion - Transitional Housing Options

In this episode, Lynn Tonini facilitates a conversation between three individuals connected with organizations that provide transitional housing for youth aging out of care: Mike Williams with DASH Foundation (Miami, FL), Shiesha Bell with LIFE Skills Foundation (Durham, NC), and Aundre' Wright with Adonai Transitional Housing (Phoenix, AZ). During this conversation, we discussed what their organizations do for foster youth, specifically their different transitional housing models and strategies. We also discussed the new and creative transitional housing options that are growing in popularity, such as tiny homes and container homes.

Episode 082: Interview with Carmelita Coleman, Executive Director of SaySo (Greensboro, NC)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Miss Carmelita Coleman, Executive Director of Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (SaySo) in Greensboro, NC. We discussed Miss Carmelita's background and what brought her to working with foster youth. We then talked about the SaySo organization and how it provides foster youth with opportunities to develop leadership and life skills by being involved in advocacy and running events. Finally, we discussed opportunities for improvements to how the foster care system prepares youth for adulthood.