Ep. 9 Unconditional love as a foster parent means showing up again and again… even after the child leaves your home. It looks like answering late-night calls, sending groceries across state lines, and reminding a child—no matter where life takes them—that they still have a family.

In this episode of Licensed to Love, you’ll hear the story of a foster-adoptive mom whose commitment didn’t end when the kids turned 18. For her, forever truly means forever.

Toni Marrocco-Helwig shares what it really means to provide a safe home and unconditional love to children in foster care—especially those with special needs who often wait the longest for families. For 15 years, Toni and her husband Mike have welcomed more than 50 children into their home, offering stability, patience, and lifelong support.

Foster parents can play a powerful role in supporting birth families.

Building trust takes time. Showing up consistently is more powerful than words.

Loving children with special needs or trauma backgrounds requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to meet them where they are.

Key Takeaways
🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at

🌐 FamiliesThriveinc.org

📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110

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Ep. 8 Veronica Black sits down with Trelawney McCoy, a foster and adoptive parent whose life is a living example of what it means to stand in the gap for children who need stability most.

Trelawney has fostered more than 30 children and adopted 11, all while working full-time, mentoring young women, and leading a youth football program with the Rochester Rams.

Her story isn’t about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters most. This conversation goes beyond inspiration and into the real work of foster care:

“Kids know when they are loved and when they are chosen.” — Trelawney

Whether you’re curious about fostering, already in the system, or simply want to understand how love becomes action, this episode is a reminder that futures are shaped by the adults willing to stand in the gap.

🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐https://familiesthriveinc.org/ 

📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110

Chapters:

00:00 From Foster Care to Forever Family

03:31 Single Mom Raising 30+ Foster Children

08:08 — Kids Know When They’re Chosen

13:59 Advocating for Special Needs Children

16:23 Faith and Resilience in Foster Care

20:38 Supporting Biological Family Connections

27:04 Healing Trauma Through Community Support

30:37 Self-Care for Foster Parents

31:48 Building a Village for Future Generations

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Ep. 7 “Usually when I made a mistake, I would just get moved to another house. But here, you actually showed that you cared about me.” - Joubert Black, 19

I was in foster care. I moved through seven different placements. Every time I messed up, I learned to expect the same outcome: pack up, move on, start over.

On this episode of License to Love, I sit down with my mom, Veronica Black, to share what it was really like growing up in the New York State foster care system—and what changed when I finally landed in a home where mistakes didn’t mean abandonment.

✨ In this episode, you’ll hear:

What it’s really like to move through multiple foster homes

Why building trust with older youth takes patience—not perfection

The harm of judging children by their “file” instead of their humanity

Why older youth in foster care deserve families just as much as anyone else

How love, consistency, and empathy can change a life’s trajectory

This episode is a must-listen for foster parents, adoptive families, advocates, and anyone who believes children deserve more than a system—they deserve a home.

📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110

0:01 A Child’s View of Foster Care

1:36 Why Stability Matters More Than Placement

4:07 From Foster Care to Adoption: Joubert’s Story

13:15 Why Older Kids Deserve Adoption Too

16:24 Parenting Through Trauma in Foster Care

21:39 Searching for Belonging in the System

26:11 Rebuilding Family Ties Through Supervised Visits

29:11 Adoption, Birth Families, and Identity

32:33 Building Forever Families, One Child at a Time

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Ep. 6 Opening your heart to foster a child is an act of love—but staying open when it hurts takes courage.

This week on Licensed to Love, host Veronica welcomes Michelle Hinds back to the podcast for a deeply honest conversation about what it really means to become a foster family—and how that journey ultimately led her and her husband to adoption in New York State.

As a dedicated home finder with Families Thrive and a foster/adoptive parent herself, Michelle brings a rare dual perspective. She shares what first drew her to fostering, the emotional reality of loving children who may not stay forever, and how understanding trauma, boundaries, and healthy attachment shapes everything. This episode is both tender and practical—offering reassurance to those considering fostering and affirmation to those already walking the path.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re strong enough to love children through uncertainty, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at 🌐 ⁠FamiliesThrive.org ⁠ 📞 Contact Families Thrive: 585-232-5110

Fostering is centered on meeting children’s immediate needs and can sometimes lead to unexpected adoption journeys

Saying goodbye is one of the hardest parts of fostering—and caring for yourself is essential

Every child expresses love differently, especially when trauma is involved

Stability, structure, and patience can be life-changing for foster youth

Supporting children doesn’t end at adulthood—long-term guidance matters

“It’s our job to show them what healthy love is, right? With boundaries, expectations, and structure.” – Michelle

“I had to look at her as her own person… and how she was going to show affection.” – Michelle

“Take a chance on these kids… Teach them what it’s like to be in a family.” – Michelle

🎧 Listen now and learn what it truly means to love with intention—even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

Chapters:

0:00 Why We Chose Foster Care (And What We Didn’t Expect)
3:24 The Emotional Reality of Foster Placements
11:56 Loving Kids You Might Have to Let Go
22:46 When Fostering Turns Into Adoption
27:02 Parenting Foster & Adopted Teens Is Different
34:38 Choosing Commitment When It Gets Hard
37:17 Learning How a Foster Child Shows Love
42:31 The First Time She Called Me “Mom”
44:26 Building Trust Inside a New Family
48:34 Love, Loss, and Growth After Adoption

Key Takeaways:Notable Quotes:

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Ep. 5 What does foster care really look like behind closed doors—especially when teens are involved?

In this powerful episode of Licensed to Love, Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black-Turner sits down with seasoned foster parent Jeronda James for an honest, compassionate conversation about the realities of fostering in New York State.

Jeronda shares her lived experience opening her home to foster youth, navigating challenges with patience, advocacy, and heart—particularly when supporting teenagers who urgently need safe, loving homes. From managing daily routines and school placements to allowing emotional space for healing, this episode sheds light on what it truly takes to show up for children in care.

You’ll hear how ongoing support from Families Thrive makes a difference, why advocacy is non-negotiable, and how fostering—while challenging—can be deeply rewarding. Whether you’re considering foster care, currently fostering, or simply want to better understand the system, this episode offers clarity, encouragement, and truth.

✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:

How patience and flexibility shape successful placements

The critical role foster parents play as advocates

How Families Thrive supports foster parents every step of the way

Why following your heart matters when considering fostering

🔗 Learn more about fostering and support services at

0:00 Jeronda James' Journey Into Foster Parenting With Families Thrive

5:50 Preparing for Foster Care as a Single Parent

7:47 School and Healthcare Placements

9:46 Creating a Welcoming Environment

16:35 Importance of Space and Listening

20:11 Challenges of Foster Parenting

30:35 Flexible Parenting Strategies for Traumatized Children

35:19 Fostering Love and Overcoming Challenges in Family Dynamics

42:00 Fostering Hope for Teens in the Foster Care System

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Ep. 4 This week on Licensed to Love, we’re breaking down the heart of the initial fostering process: the training, preparation, and ongoing support that Families Thrive gives every family who says “yes.” 💛

Director of Program Services Veronica Black sits down with Michelle Hinds, a seasoned home finder and trainer, to walk you through the 10-week trauma-informed course that equips families to understand the emotional and developmental needs of children in care. From navigating trauma to building confidence as a caregiver, this training is designed to prepare you for the real-life moments you’ll face — not just the paperwork.

You’ll also get an inside look at the support that continues after licensing:

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

3:44 Training Foster Parents to Handle Trauma-Experienced Children

6:01 Background Checks and Support Systems

11:16 Flexible Foster Parent Training and Support Initiatives

15:49 The Joys and Challenges of Fostering Children

19:32 Supporting Foster Families Through Personal Experience

#LicensedToLove #FamiliesThrive #FosterCareTraining #AdoptionSupport #FosterParentJourney #TraumaInformedCare #InHomeSupport #NYFosterCare #FamilyServices

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Ep. 3 The holidays are supposed to be magical—but for foster children, they can also be complicated and emotional.

In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight and Veronica Black of Families Thrive unpack the emotional landscape of the holiday season for children in foster care. With some insights from current foster parents, they explore how to navigate holiday triggers, maintain healthy ties with biological families, and create new traditions that help kids feel seen and secure.

✨ What You’ll Learn:

Why holidays can bring mixed emotions for foster children

How small gestures—like shared traditions or inclusive conversations—can nurture belonging

Ways to honor biological family connections while building new memories

The importance of community support and awareness during the season

This episode reminds us that while gifts and gatherings may fade, the feeling of being loved and included lasts forever.

🔗 Resources:

Celebrate foster and adoptive families at the Families Thrive Heart & Home Gala — November 1st at 6 PM at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Reserve your seat today at 👉 ⁠www.familiesthriveinc.org

Chapters:

0:00 Holiday Challenges for Foster Families

3:39 When Holidays Feel Different in Foster Care

12:20 Handling Emotional Triggers During the Season

16:59 Joys and Struggles of Holiday Parenting

19:56 Blending Traditions and Family Connections

21:29 Navigating Cultural Differences at the Holidays

28:18 Community Support That Makes the Season Bright

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Ep. 2 For Monique Burney, the desire to become a foster mom came from personal experience—she grew up in foster care herself and understood the power of keeping siblings together. What she didn’t know was whether she qualified to do it on her own as a single parent.

In this heartfelt episode of Licensed to Love, Monique shares how her path to fostering began with that question—and how a conversation with Families Thrive’s Director of Program Services, Veronica Black, helped her see that love, patience, and stability are what truly make a family. Joined by Executive Director Lauri McKnight, Veronica also breaks down the first steps of the foster care journey, explaining what to expect at an informational meeting, what the training process involves, and the biggest myths they work to debunk every day.

💛 Key Takeaways:

What really happens at an informational meeting

The training process for becoming a foster or adoptive parent

How Families Thrive matches children with foster families

The truth about single, same-sex, or non-traditional foster parents

How love and structure can change a child’s life

Chapters:

0:00 Why I Said Yes to Becoming a Single Foster Parent

4:21 The Informational Meeting

7:02 Holistic Foster Placement: Matching Child Needs With Family Dynamics

10:23 Investing in Their Future

16:18 Blessings and Challenges of Foster Care

22:17 Fears and Misconceptions in Foster Parenting

24:34 Families Thrive Provides Comprehensive Support for Foster Parents

28:38 Fostering Journeys: Challenges, Commitments, and Transformations

34:54 Impact of Nurturing and Building Relationships on Children

39:57 Heart & Home Gala November 1

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Ep. 1 In this debut episode of License to Love, hosts Lauri McKnight (Executive Director) and Veronica Black (Director of Program Services) of Families Thrive share the inspiring journey of how their organization evolved from Children Awaiting Parents into a comprehensive foster care and adoption agency.

With decades of combined experience, Lauri and Veronica open the door to what fostering and adoption look like in New York State today.

From advocating for sibling groups and minority children to creating support models that nurture both kids and families, their work continues to transform lives and communities.

✨ Key Takeaways

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Have you ever felt called to do more? To open your heart—and your home—to a child who needs love and stability?

Meet Lauri & Veronica, two moms with decades of lived and professional experience in foster care and adoption. As executives at Families Thrive Inc, they’re guiding future parents through the real journey of fostering and adoption in New York State. Because every child deserves a safe, loving home. 💛

Licensed to Love is your inside look at what it takes to become a foster parent: the steps, the stories, the challenges, and the joy of making a lasting difference.

📅 Episode 1 drops Friday, August 29 on the JazzCast Pros Network.

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LinkedIn: (24) Families Thrive, Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn

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