Thank you to all our listeners for tuning in with open minds and open hearts! This is the final episode of the Opening Doors to Hope and Belonging podcast from DePaul Community Resources for now. But we are not going away, we are just reframing and reimagining this podcast to reach more, do more, and grow more. We hope you will stay tuned for our next big adventure together!

Micki Brumfield and her husband, Chris, have been sponsored residential providers with DePaul Community Resources, or as we like to call them compassionate caregivers, since 2011. If you’re not familiar with the sponsored residential program, it offers children and adults with disabilities compassionate care in a home-based setting. In this episode, host Alison Wickline and Micki discuss her family's journey and the two amazing women whose lives changed and who have changed lives.

Last summer, DePaul Community Resources was thrilled to announce the release of A Goat’s Tale: Billie the Fainting Goat Learns to be Brave by author Amy Burns and illustrated by Julianne Orr. Amy is a licensed professional counselor, a supervisor, and site leader for DePaul’s Abingdon office. In this episode, host Alison Wickline will introduce you to this interactive and educational story about a fainting goat. She'll also catch up with Amy to discuss her work and the journey to get here.

During this pandemic, you might have transitioned to a new way of working or you might have lost your job. You might be struggling with managing childcare. You may be worried about your health and the health of those around you. It’s a lot, and research says self-care can be an important part of weathering these storms. So let’s talk about self-care and the importance of it right now. Join host Alison Wickline, along with  Lise Martin, regional trainer at DePaul, and Becky Sellers, a clinician at DePaul, for this informative and encouraging discussion. 

Every year, roughly 20,000 youth age out of the foster care system in the United States. When they age out, they face significant challenges in meeting their needs for health care, education, employment, housing and emotional support. But what happens to those youth when a pandemic hits? In this episode, host Alison Wickline searches for those answers and also speaks with DePaul Independent Living Specialist Meredith Breeden to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth in DePaul's program. 

Let's step outside the walls of DePaul. Back in Season 1, host Alison Wickline listed some ways to get involved and help the populations DePaul loves and serves. One of those ways was to become a CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, volunteer. In this episode, Alison is joined by CASA program director for the Roanoke Valley Katie Van Patten to discuss this impactful and important work. 

The goal of DePaul's Legislative Advocacy Committee is to stay informed and vocal about government policy that makes an impact on the work we do and the people we serve. Ahead of the 2021 Virginia General Assembly Session, committee leader Emily Moore joins host Alison Wickline to discuss what to watch for and what to expect during the session. 

Children enter the foster care system at all ages. Some when they are older, some when they are very young. This episode is all about a baby who entered the world and the foster care system and a family who made a commitment to unconditional love. 

As the first season of Opening Doors to Hope and Belonging comes to an end, host Alison Wickline is looking back on the podcast's journey and growth. Thank you to listeners who tuned in and those who shared their stories and experiences. Stay tuned for the next season of the podcast coming in the new year.

DePaul’s Community-Based Services program offers a variety of interventions and supports to youth and families in need. In this episode, host Alison Wickline is joined by Laura Boardwine, whose two adopted children are currently receiving counseling and in-home services. Alison and Laura discuss the decision to seek support for Laura's children, the stigma  that comes with asking for help, and the effect of community-based services on her family.