The Field Center’s Aging Out Podcast

Episode 029: Interview with Whitney Gilliard from Gilliard and Company (Pooler, GA)

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.

Episode 028: Interview with Patricia Holland from All Things New, Inc. (Raleigh, NC)

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.

Episode 027: Interview with Greg Rapport from Age-Out Angels (Columbus, NJ)

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. 

Episode 026: Interview with Sue Evans from Walden Family Services (San Diego, CA)

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. 

Episode 025: Interview with Dr. Sebrena Jackson from NSEP (Tuscaloosa, AL)

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. 

Episode 024: Interview with Erin NeSmith from Grow Into You Foundation (Riverview, FL)

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. 

Episode 023: Interview with Ann Marie Binsner from CASA Prince George's County (Riverdale, MD)

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. 

Episode 022: Interview with Lorilynn Violanta from NMCAN (Albuquerque, NM)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Lorilynn Violanta, Director of Advancement for NMCAN. NMCAN is an organization that supports youth aging out of foster care through mentoring, coaching, and advocacy. Lorilynn and Lynn talk about NMCAN's mentoring and coaching programs, strategies that ensure authentic youth engagement in planning their own future, how their program has managed through COVID-19, and more. 

Episode 021: Interview with Jevon Wilkes from CA Coalition for Youth (Sacramento, CA)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Jevon Wilkes, Executive Director of California Coalition for Youth. California Coalition for Youth is a program that supports and encourages youth to advocate for their needs to state leaders and decision makers. Jevon and Lynn talk about their advocacy work, how their efforts have helped transition age foster youth in the state, some improvements that the system could make, and more. 

 

 

Episode 020: Interview with Dr. Tiffany Lane from Almatine's Goodies (Wilmington, NC)

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Dr. Tiffany Lane, Director/Founder of Almatine's Goodies and Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington. Almatine's Goodies is a program that collaborates with social service agencies, colleges, and universities in the U.S. to provide care packages to former and current foster care youth enrolled in college. Tiffany and Lynn talk about her program, how more positive research is needed to explore the strengths of foster youth, some improvements that the system could make, and more.