We have been trying to make this conversation happen for weeks now, and today it finally happened.

The foster care system faces immense challenges, yet within each challenge lies opportunity – for healing, for growth, and for change. In this emotionally powerful conversation, Brittany Sandoval and Joel Elston shared moving personal stories of resilience in the face of adversity, and a vision of hope through connection.

Brittany recounted her experience as a foster mom, opening her home to over a dozen children in need of care. “I wanted to be able to be that safe space for kids,” she said, driven by witnessing the struggles of her cousins in the system. Joel’s journey began through volunteer work, when he was asked to foster a boy on the brink of institutionalization. Through understanding and unconditional support, Joel was able to help transform this child’s life.

Both spoke passionately about the difficulties faced by all within the foster system – children, families, caseworkers. With overloaded caseloads and inadequate resources, the system itself can unintentionally inflict further harm. Brittany asked poignantly, “Unless we’re making sure even as adults, those kids know how to seek their own resources and advocate for themselves, we’re still setting them up for success or for failure.”

Through open sharing of personal struggles, from ADHD to addiction, Joel and Brittany conveyed hope – that by reframing negative self-talk and embracing our authentic selves, we can overcome. Brittany is writing books to equip foster youth with emotional tools. Joel works pro bono to support foster children’s mental health, recognizing they “don’t have an advocate.”

Most profoundly, they showed that through understanding each other, we can uplift each other. Joel said being in Brittany’s presence makes it “hard to be depressed.” Their contagious positivity suggests that by focusing on our shared humanity rather than differences, we can lift each other to new heights of well-being. When we walk alongside others in compassion, opportunities emerge – to heal, to learn, and to foster hope.

Episode Page: https://www.loatoday.net/brittany-sandoval-meets-joel-elston

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