Preparing Foster Youth for Adulting

Episode 065: Interview with Beth Reinwald from Flourish Homes (Tulsa, OK)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Beth Reinwald, Founder and CEO of Flourish Homes in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Beth shared the challenges that Flourish Home faced getting started, how they launched their 1-2 year, faith-based transitional living program for young women facing homelessness, some of whom have aged out of foster care. Beth also reviewed their mentoring program and other supports they provide youth as they work toward educational and employment goals.  Finally, Lynn and Beth discussed the importance of consistency for young people while they are in foster care, both in regard to placements and education.

Episode 064: Interview with Joelle Pitts from The R.J. Leonard Foundation (Doylestown, PA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Joelle Pitts, Executive Director of The R.J. Leonard Foundation in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Joelle shared about their organization's mentor program focused on helping youth aging out of foster care set and achieve educational and/or employment goals. Joelle explained how their priority is long-term supportive relationships. They also discuss the financial support the organization provides for academic scholarships, transportation, basic living expenses, and social and cultural enrichment activities. 

Episode 063: Interview with Stacy DeWitt from James Storehouse (Newbury Park, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Stacy DeWitt, Executive Director of James Storehouse in Newbury Park, California. Stacy shared about their warehouse that supplies people in need - referred by social workers - with emergency supplies, as well as their three boutiques with supplies specifically for babies, children, and teenagers. They also provide support services for youth, including mentoring, life skills classes, baby showers, a leadership academy, and a transitional housing program. Finally, Stacy reviewed six protective factors that would help prevent the need for foster care if they were bolstered and supported among families in need. 

 

 

Episode 062: Interview with Christina Dronen from Finally Family Homes (Valencia, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Christina Dronen, Executive Director of Finally Family Homes in Valencia, California. We discussed their newest initiative, which is a "build to own" program in which youth aging out of care help build and then own their own tiny home on wheels. Christina explained how this model will enable youth to acquire equity in their own home quickly, which they can leverage when they are ready to move into a larger house. We also discussed their existing programs, including life skills workshops, a host home program, and providing money and material needs to youth in the area who need assistance. 

Episode 061: Interview with Lisa Peat from The Taylor House (Roseville, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Lisa Peat, Founder and Executive Director of The Taylor House in Roseville, California. We discussed their safe transition home for young ladies aging out of foster care. Lisa discussed the five key pillars that provide the structure of their program: employment, education, transportation, health and wellness, and budgeting and banking. We also discussed the importance of earlier intervention and family support as a way to improve the foster care system. 

Episode 060: Interview with Colby Swettberg with Silver Lining Mentoring (Boston, MA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Colby Swettberg, CEO of Silver Lining Mentoring in Boston, MA. We discussed their award winning mentoring program for youth aging out of care. Colby reviewed their mentoring program, including an overview of their mentor training program, the qualities of effective mentors, their life skills program, and the critical importance of connections for youth. Colby also shared about the Silver Lining Institute, which provides consulting and guidance to other organizations building or expanding their own mentoring programs. 

Episode 059: Interview with Britt Wade with Family Harvest Farm (Martinez, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Britt Wade, Workforce Development Coordinator with Family Harvest Farm in Martinez, CA. We discussed their urban farm, which is a program under the umbrella of the John Muir Land Trust. At their farm, they employ youth aging out of foster care and teach them about sustainable farming. In their program, they build supportive relationships and help the youth derive meaning from their work by giving the food they grow to the local community. We also discussed ideas for the foster care system to help ensure that youth aging out of care are successful.

Episode 058: Interview with Lauren Vazquez with Valley Youth House (Bethlehem, PA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Lauren Vazquez, Supervisor of the Adolescents Achieving Independence (AAI) program at Valley Youth House in Bethlehem, PA. We discussed AAI and the strategies they use as they serve as "adulting coaches" for foster youth and former foster youth between the ages of 14 to 23 years old. They focus their support in the domains of education, employment, housing, life skills, and permanency (relationships). We also discussed ideas for improving support for youth, including a year of transitional living in their senior year of high school and finding more foster parents willing to provide homes for older teens in foster care.

 

 

Episode 057: Interview with The Buckeye Ranch (Whitehall, OH)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Amy Nims, Director of Foster Care, and Jennifer Schwitzgebel, Associate Director of Transition Age Youth Services, with The Buckeye Ranch in Whitehall, Ohio. We discussed two programs that support youth aging out of care: My Place transitional living and Bridges, a state partnership that provides funding for youth needs. We also discussed the need for the foster care system to empower youth to make more choices about their lives and how that might be accomplished.

Episode 056: Interview with Marcie Dearth from IMPOWER (Longwood, FL)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Marcie Dearth, the Vice President of Residential Programs of IMPOWER in Longwood, Florida. We focused on their transitional housing program called The Village, which was developed as an extension of their mental health and child wellbeing core services. We also discussed opportunities for improvement of the foster care system, including more collaboration among organizations that serve these young people.