In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Sue Evans, Chief Operating Officer of Walden Family Services based in San Diego, California. Walden Family Services won the 2021 Blaze Award for large organizations or programs that work with youth aging out of foster care and we wanted to highlight their award winning transitional housing program. Sue explains the details about their housing program in which they partner with community landlords and property management companies to provide housing and supportive case management for about 300 youth in the San Diego area. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Megan Preller, Program Coordinator of the Host Homes Program with Ready for Life based in Redding, California. Megan shares the origin of her agency, which was started by her parents. Megan also describes their host homes program, in which people in the community provide temporary housing for homeless young people, including youth who have aged out of foster care. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Adam Pavao, Executive Director of Impact Living Services based in Forest, Virginia. Adam explains the three primary programs of his organization: independent living, treatment foster care, and counseling for youth and communities. Adam also shares some details about his own background working in child welfare and as a foster parent. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Amanda Ricken Simonetta with The Felix Organization, Trinity Bailey with Music is Unity Foundation, and LaTasha Watts with The Purple Project to learn about the upcoming Level Up Conference for youth in foster care and those who have aged out (ages 14-24). This virtual conference is being held on December 11th starting at 11:00am EST. Listen to find out more about these organizations, the conference itself, and how to register for this beneficial event. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Cheryl Williams, Founder and President of Fundamentals for Foster Youth based in Austin, Texas. Cheryl shares her own experience as a youth in foster care, the focus of her organization's mission to send STEM (and art, making it STEAM) toys to youth in foster care and to build in a scholarship program in the future, and much more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Jamerika Haynes-Lewis, Founder of Clever Jam Communications based in Seattle, Washington. Jamerika shares her own experience growing up in foster care, how she leveraged her success in pageants as a platform to help youth in foster care, what she offers as a workshop facilitator with youth, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Miriam Cobb, Founder and Director of the Empty Frames Initiative based in both Texas and North Carolina. Miriam shares her experience studying government care systems in other countries, how her organization has supported youth by teaching story telling through photography, the residential program that she is planning in the future, and more.