In this episode, Rob and Dana talk with Whitney GIlliard about how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted youth aging out of foster care. Whitney is the founder of Gilliard & Co, a nonprofit that provides mentoring and wrap-around support for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. She talks about the various things she’s been helping kids in her program deal with and how the community has rallied together to help.

For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.

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In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome author and motivational speaker Leigh Anne Tuohy. As the mother of an adopted son from foster care who went on to become a Super Bowl champion, Leigh Anne knows first-hand how the loving support of a family can change a child’s life. The story of her son Michael Oher and the Tuohy family was depicted in the 2009 movie “The Blind Side”. Sandra Bullock won her first Academy Award for her portrayal of Leigh Anne in the film.

Listen as Leigh Anne shares her insight into what we as individuals, and together as a community, can do to improve the lives of children in foster care.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk with founder and CEO of The Handbag Awards, Emily Blumenthal. Emily heard Rob’s story a few years ago and was so moved by it, she invited him to speak at her annual event for handbag designers in New York City. Not only is Emily a successful businesswoman, she also prioritizes giving back and loves finding creative ways to use her connections and influence to encourage other companies to do the same.

Read more at comfortcases.org/podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome child welfare advocate Maureen Flatley back to the podcast. So many aspects of the foster care system have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis as many resources have been limited or shut down completely. In addition, former foster youth who have aged out and are now in college have been forced into shelters as dorms have closed down.

For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.

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In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Alia Innovations founder Dr. Amelia Franck Meyer. Alia is working to reform the child welfare system with a focus on keeping families together. She talks about how there is no evidence to show that removing children from their biological families is beneficial and how fostering the family is a lot more effective for positive outcomes.

Please visit comfortcases.org/podcast for more info.

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In this episode, Rob and Dana check in with Noah Ehlert as he hits the half way point of his Discover Your Path Tour. Noah is riding his bike from San Diego, CA to St. Petersburg, FL, visiting group homes along the way to inspire and mentor teens in foster care. Noah gets emotional as he talks about what this tour has meant to him and how he knows he’s been having an impact on the youth he’s spoken to throughout his journey.

For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.

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In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome author and foster care advocate Shenandoah Chefalo.

Shen talks about the process of writing her book “Garbage Bag Suitcase” and how she was able to open up about her childhood spent in foster care. She also talks about the fact that approximately 4,600 children go missing from foster care every year and for the most part, nobody tries to find them.

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In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to foster mom and former CASA Brittany Burcham.

A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate assigned to a child in foster care. Brittany does an amazing job explaining what it’s like to be a CASA and what a fulfilling experience it was for her. If you want to help children in foster care but you can’t be a foster parent, becoming a CASA could be right for you.

Brittany is now a foster mom focused on caring for and mentoring teenage girls.

For more info please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.