Stable Moments Podcast

Many foster children aren't able to think about the future. They wonder when their dad might get out of Jail or that there is no future for them, so this is how we can help.

Children in foster care may have only bad memories of the holidays. Maybe they remember it as a time where Santa always forgot their house. Maybe they remember their mom being stressed about not being able to afford Christmas. Perhaps they did have memorable Christmas but their special Christmas didn’t include a tree or gifts but a special trip to Waffle House every year. There was once a year time to eat out and everyone was happy. Maybe they recognized a different holiday. Maybe they were Jehova’s witnesses or celebrated Hanuka or Kwanza. So now that we have all these possibilities let's go into how we can show up for any kid during the holiday season.

Being both flexible and structured are big parts of the Stable Moments model…but wait, how can you be flexible AND structured? The truth is, kids, and most humans need a whole bunch of things…but we like to come up with blanket approaches - it’s easier for us. It’s actually the reason for our divisiveness and polarity as a country - many of us see one right answer, but it isn’t that simple. Many things can be true at the same time, and our approach has to offer more than one answer, especially to children in #fostercare with #complextrauma needs So what does being both flexible and structured look like? I am so glad you asked. Check out this month's podcast episode where I break it all down for you.

I got my first hate mail, attacking the Stable Moments model saying we're causing more trauma by allowing people who aren't credentialed to work with kids with complex trauma needs. In this episode, I read you the message and respond, letting you know we are all good enough to play an active role in the lives of these children.

In this episode, we talk about how to use your feelings as a guide to work on the things within yourself that need healing so you can show up fully for those you were created to serve!

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Ángela Quijada-Banks, (she/her) is an NAACP Image Awards Nominee and American Award-winning author of the Black Foster Youth Handbook. As a transformational speaker, she has touched thousands with her message to alchemize your pain to purpose and power. Through her holistic health coaching she supports spiritual wives in business to heal their acne, recover from iron deficiency anemia and prioritize their well-being without the sacrifice of their relationships,purpose or passions. As a nationally recognized community leader and philanthropist, she started the Soulful Liberation movement, impacting over 30,000 people to revolutionize historically oppressive systems through holistic health and healing trauma with coaching, workshops, training, and programming. She is currently writing a new book set to release September 2022. Soulful Liberation movement ( workshops and trainings ) : www.soulfulliberation.com The Black Foster Youth Handbook & I Am Success workbook-youth companion guide : www.soulfulliberation.com/books Ángela’s portfolio: www.originalsoulflower.com Holistic health coaching for spiritual wives in business: www.angelaquijadabanks.com

Join us as we sit down with Marla Higginbotham to learn about the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program and how you can get involved in this important work. With CASA programs across the country, everyone can become a CASA.

Marla has spent the last 20+ years working in the nonprofit sector helping shape public policy initiatives focused on both community engagement and children’s education and well-being. After a successful 4 years as Executive Director CASA for Union County, Marla took the helm as Executive Director with CASA for Children of Essex County in NJ. Marla joined the CASA network from Jersey Cares where she was Senior Director of Operations and Foundation Relations. Marla is a former mediator/arbitrator for New Jersey’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Unit and has served on the Board of Trustees for The Montclair Kimberley Academy. She received a law degree from the University of Cincinnati, College of Law and an undergraduate degree in Urban Studies and Political Science from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.

Facebook @EssexAdvocates

Insta @casa_essex

Twitter @EssexCASA

Shenandoah Chefalo is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, a Certified Coach, and a member of the Foster Leaders Movement. She is a sought after speaker on topics surrounding youth in foster care and the science and impact of trauma and resilience on various social issues; She is also the President and Owner of Chefalo Consulting: Trauma-Informed Specialist that helps private, governmental, and public organizations implement sustainable trauma-informed strategies that are focused on learning new skills as well as organizational culture changes and shifts.  She has been featured as a consultant and trainer nationally and internationally. 

After spending nearly 20 years as a Law Office Administrator, Shenandoah became unsettled by the ever-revolving door of people into the criminal justice system and set out to find a way to change it. 

A survivor and alumni of the foster care system, Shenandoah Chefalo is also the co-founder of the #4600andCounting, a grass-roots movement to bring awareness and change to the missing youth of foster care.  

In addition to her multiple award-winning book, Garbage Bag Suitcase, she also wrote an e-book entitled Setting Your Vision and Defining Your Goals and is also working on her next manuscript, Hiking for Stillness.

www.garbagebagsuitcase.com

Shenandoah Chefalo is a graduate of Michigan State University, holding a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science, a Certified Coach, and a member of the Foster Leaders Movement. She is a sought after speaker on topics surrounding youth in foster care and the science and impact of trauma and resilience on various social issues; She is also the President and Owner of Chefalo Consulting: Trauma-Informed Specialist that helps private, governmental, and public organizations implement sustainable trauma-informed strategies that are focused on learning new skills as well as organizational culture changes and shifts.  She has been featured as a consultant and trainer nationally and internationally. 

After spending nearly 20 years as a Law Office Administrator, Shenandoah became unsettled by the ever-revolving door of people into the criminal justice system and set out to find a way to change it. 

A survivor and alumni of the foster care system, Shenandoah Chefalo is also the co-founder of the #4600andCounting, a grass-roots movement to bring awareness and change to the missing youth of foster care.  

In addition to her multiple award-winning book, Garbage Bag Suitcase, she also wrote an e-book entitled Setting Your Vision and Defining Your Goals and is also working on her next manuscript, Hiking for Stillness.

www.garbagebagsuitcase.com

We work under the assumption that everyone is doing their very best. We know it's easy to point fingers at the foster system, the kids, the parents. If you believe that everyone is doing their best, it allows us to communicate with empathy instead of judgment.