Fostering Change
230 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsComfort Cases founder Rob Scheer hosts this inspiring show about how communities can come together to bring dignity and hope to children in the foster care system. Guests will include former youth in foster care, foster parents, celebrities touched by the foster care system, child welfare advocates, and everyday people working to improve the lives of kids in care. Rob brings a sense of positivity and humor to his conversations. If you have a story to tell as it relates to foster care or any questions, please email [email protected]. And please follow Comfort Cases @comfortcases.
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Episodes
From Rock Bottom to Bringing a Family Together Again: A Foster Care Success Story with Jackie Polk
April 09, 2024 12:00 - 29 minutes - 40.5 MBAfter you listen to today’s episode of Fostering Change, take a moment. Take a breath. Reflect on what you heard, and ponder how you would handle the situations that our guest Jackie Polk faced. Here is part of the note Jackie sent us when she inquired about sharing her story: I'm a boy mom of 3. I have 8 year old twins, and an 11 month old baby. 6 years ago I completely rebuilt my life from rock bottom. My rock bottom was filled with drug addiction, domestic violence and having my childre...
A Foster Care Journey and How Change Must Happen to the Broken System
March 26, 2024 11:00 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBJerold Hawkins was introduced to Rob Scheer and Comfort Cases in 2023 when the company he works for, Aptiv, held a “Packing Party,” packing up backpacks filled with new essential items to be delivered to local social service agencies for distribution to youth entering foster care in Michigan. Following the event, Jerold reached out to us because he wanted to share his story: his experience in foster care, moving to a variety of homes over a 5 year period - recalling “all my life’s belongin...
The Importance of Talking About “Reunification” for Youth in Foster Care - A New Visit from Charell Star
March 12, 2024 11:00 - 22 minutes - 31.3 MBToday, we welcome back a wonderful guest, Charell Star. We first discovered Charell in 2021 from the “Humans of New York” column and video she was featured. We wanted Charell to come back on our podcast to give us an update on her work in the foster care system since then. Charell shares her common experiences with CASA and talks with Rob about the needs of youth in foster care, especially to promote reunification. “If we were looking to help people, and not penalize people for the unfair...
Creating a Warm and Safe Space for Children Transitioning into Foster Care
February 27, 2024 12:00 - 19 minutes - 26.3 MBOften times when children are removed from their homes and brought to a social service agency or law enforcement office, they are not placed in a foster home immediately, and have to spend hours, a whole night, or even days sitting on an uncomfortable office chair, a lumpy couch or maybe an air mattress tucked under a desk. No privacy, and no dignity. Jennifer Tice and her team at LilyPad: A Soft Place to Land have taken steps to end this practice in their home state of South Carolina, and ...
Keeping Marriage Alive and a Strong as a Family with Adoptive Children
February 13, 2024 12:00 - 25 minutes - 35.7 MBHappy Valentine’s Day! (one day early) On today’s special episode, of Fostering Change we bring in two of our favorite married couples: David & Julie Bulitt and Rob & Reece Scheer! Yes, our host and his husband - co-founders of Comfort Cases - discuss relationships, particularly the issues faced by parents who adopt children and how to keep the marital relationship going strong! David & Julie have appeared on Fostering Change before. They have a unique perspective based on their careers ...
An Unlikely Journey to Parenthood Through America’s Broken Foster Care System with Mark Daley
January 30, 2024 12:00 - 24 minutes - 33.9 MBToday, on Fostering Change, Comfort Cases’ founder Rob Scheer has an enlightening conversation with Mark Daley, author of SAFE: A Memoir of Fatherhood, Foster Care, and the Risks We Take for Family. The book offers a deeply personal window into what happens when the universal longing for family crashes up against the unique madness and bureaucracy of a child protection system that often fails to consider the needs of the most vulnerable parties of all—the children themselves. You will hear...
Feeling Wanted, Love & Safe: Stories to Change the Lives of Children in Foster Care… FOR THE BETTER!
January 16, 2024 12:00 - 13 minutes - 17.9 MBComfort Cases is so lucky to have many friends and supporters from around the world. In 2022 we opened our first international center, Comfort CasesUK (https://comfortcasesuk.org/). On today’s episode, we welcome a guest from England, our friend Kevin Leslie. Kevin is known for many movie and tv roles, most recently appearing in the Christmas movie: Christmas at the Holly Day Inn. Today on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks to Kevin about the new children’s books series he wrote, Grandda...
Parents: Today we Give you “Permission to Rest”!
January 02, 2024 12:00 - 19 minutes - 26.3 MBWelcome to 2024! The entire team at Comfort Cases hopes you had a festive, and happy holiday season. Note that we didn’t write “restful”, as we know the past few weeks are generally the busiest time of year. This is why we are starting off our 2024 season right, with an interview with Ashley Neese, author of Permission to Rest: Revolutionary Practices for Healing, Empowerment, and Collective Care. Ashley Neese is a renowned breathwork teacher, author, parent, and land steward. She has sp...
Bananas Foster: Making a positive impact, and spreading joy throughout the foster care community to inspire others
December 26, 2023 12:00 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MBToday is a special episode of Fostering Change (well, all our episodes are special, but this one has a very special significance!) It’s the final episode of 2023 AND, today’s episode marks the 200th Episode of Fostering Change. Amazing that we’ve reached this important milestone in our 5th season! And the past 3 seasons, we’ve been named the #1 podcast for issues about Adoption and Foster Care! We couldn’t have achieved this without the amazing support from our amazing guests and all of t...
Adopting Through Foster Care: What to Consider, and Why it May Change Your Life for Good!
December 19, 2023 12:30 - 30 minutes - 42.5 MBIf you’ve watched or listened to Fostering Change before, or you’ve seen Rob Scheer speak at an event or a Comfort Cases “Packing Party”, you know that he loves to promote people who are doing great things for others - what he calls “Good Humans.” Well, on today’s episode you’ll meet one of the “goodest of them all,” Marcy Bursac. Scaling her lived experience as an adoptive mom of a sibling pair, Marcy advocates for the more than 100,000 children in the U.S. foster care system that are wait...
A Coming-Of-Age Story of Tenacity, Hope and Impact!
December 12, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 33.5 MBPrepare yourself for an interview with a woman who defines the term “resilience.” Regina Calcaterra’s memoir Etched in Sand, A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island is a #1 international best-seller and a New York Times best-seller. As a result of Etched in Sand’s messages of resilience, optimism, the plight of foster children, that no child is a lost cause and how we can all positively impact the life of a child in need, it has been integrated in...
Lifting Each Other Up to Make the World a Better Tomorrow for Youth in Foster Care
December 05, 2023 12:00 - 24 minutes - 33.7 MB“Understand there is more of a reality out there than you’ve been living through.” Today’s episode of Fostering Change will truly inspire you! Rob Scheer interviews Lisa Cohen, someone he shares much in common. They were both in foster care, both from Washington, DC and following foster care, both joined the Navy. They also both have “bucked the trend” and have been successful in business and in life. They share how they moved forward in their careers, they didn’t talk about their exper...
A Truly Corporately Responsible Organization and How they Support Youth in Foster Care
November 28, 2023 14:11 - 18 minutes - 25.1 MBCorporate Responsibility. You hear that phrase often. But how many businesses truly follow through on being good corporate citizens? On today’s episode of Fostering Change you will meet one organization that does just that: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s Indiana Medicaid Health Plan. In fact, this organization was Comfort Cases’ very first corporate sponsor - we are celebrating working with them for six years! You will hear Rob Scheer speak with April Lam, Chief of Staff for the hea...
Changing the Narrative: Questions About Race & Other Challenges a Single Black Father Who Adopts & Fosters Children of Various Races Faces
November 21, 2023 12:00 - 21 minutes - 29.6 MBWe hope you are ready for an especially inspiring episode of Fostering Change. Today, Rob Scheer interviews Peter Mutabazi: entrepreneur, international advocate for children, and the founder of Now I Am Known, a nonprofit that supplies resources that encourage and affirm children and families. A single adoptive father of three and foster dad to many (34 as of this date!), Mutabazi is a former street kid originally from Uganda who has worked for World Vision, Compassion International, and the...
Exploring the Passion in Being a Resilient Caregiver
November 14, 2023 12:00 - 23 minutes - 31.9 MBIn a discussion that covers everything from medicare filings to the resources necessary for caregivers of all kind to thrive, today Rob Scheer speaks with Mike and Kristin Berry, the co-founders of The Resilient Caregiver, a global initiative that helps foster and adoptive caregivers build resiliency through understanding, education, and support. There are so many hoops one must jump through when becoming a foster parent or adopting, many just don’t know where to start. Kristin and Mike, ha...
Steps to Youth Can Take to Overcome Bullying
November 08, 2023 19:18 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MBToday, Rob Scheer talks with a real “go-getter”. Someone who doesn’t take no for an answer and truly reaches for the stars. Haley Marguerite is a motivational speaker, a publisher and an author. In fact, she published her first book at the age of 11! Haley is the talented author behind the beloved Charlie Takes an Adventure book series. Through her captivating stories, children learn important life lessons while joining Charlie, the adventurous penguin, on his incredible journeys and heartw...
Overcoming the Challenges of Youth Exiting Foster Care
November 07, 2023 15:55 - 16 minutes - 22.1 MBComfort Cases is thrilled to be working with the team from Amerigroup Georgia Families 360 on a powerful new initiative. Launched at the start of National Adoption Awareness Month, Comfort Cases and Amerigroup Georgia Families 360 are committing to get a Comfort Case(™) to every youth in foster care in the state of Georgia, finally ending the practice of black trash bags being given to youth who are entering or transitioning into foster care. This first-of-its-kind initiative, https://comfo...
Zion Clark: Learning to Leverage Struggles to Survive and Thrive at the Highest Levels
October 31, 2023 11:00 - 10 minutes - 14.4 MBYou may know the name Zion Clark, whose catchphrase is: “You Don't Need Legs To Leave A Footprint On Earth” Did you watch his documentary on Netflix? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRvGlB1-Ku8 Maybe you saw him on America’s Got Talent? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRA3t_9hX50 Or, you read his book, “Work With What You Got: A Memoir”, https://www.amazon.com/Work-What-You-Got-Memoir/dp/1536224219 Today, Rob Scheer speaks with this amazing All-American wrestler, MMA fighter, Guinness...
Becoming “Indomitable” and Fixing the Flaws in the Foster Care System
October 24, 2023 11:00 - 25 minutes - 35.1 MBSocial justice advocate Di Ciruolo is on a mission to shed light on these systematic injustices in the foster care system and provides a step-by-step approach to personal recovery and guidance for survivors and those who seek to support them in her new book, “Indomitable”, a true story of how she survived foster care. In today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer and Di Ciruolo work together to highlight the flaws in the foster care system, and what can be done to FINALLY correct them...
Helping Youth Who are Aging Out of the Foster Care System
October 10, 2023 12:10 - 23 minutes - 21.4 MBToday on Fostering Change, Rob Scheer speaks with Monica Pantoja, the dynamic Executive Director of the nsoro Educational Foundation. Founded in 2005, The nsoro Educational Foundation believes not one young person aging out of our nation's foster care system should have to navigate the world alone. Our mission provides the access to and attainment of post-secondary education through a holistic scholarship that shepherds our youth to and through college, optimally positioning our graduates f...
What We Can Do To Ensure that Youth in Foster Care Succeed in Life!
October 03, 2023 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBIn today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer speaks with a true “angel”: Susan Ramirez, the founder of National Angels, a non-profit organization whose mission is “to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.” Now in 21 cities in 16 states, National Angels goal is to keep youth in foster care in one home before they are returned to their biological family o...
Experience a Truly Good Human: A NICU Nurse Adopts the Teen Mom of Triplets
September 26, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 22 MBThis true story will inspire you like none you may have ever heard. Rob Scheer interviews Katrina Mullen. You may have seen Katrina on The Today Show, or in People Magazine. This unassuming NICU (NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit) Nurse has received universal praise for how she stepped up where others would not. As a neonatal nurse in a small Indiana hospital, she saw Shariya, a young mother sitting cribside of her 3 young babies she had just given birth to. This new mom, only 14 years old, was ...
Talking Practical Support for Becoming a Foster Parent & More with Laura Foster Parent Partner
September 19, 2023 13:05 - 27 minutes - 25 MBOn today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob speaks with Laura Foster Parent Partner, whose mission is to educate and support people about the foster care system. Often, new foster parents are not prepared for everything they need to know before their first children come to them. Laura discusses how the “cracks of child welfare are deep”, from misplaced birth certificates to wrong names of the child, and without knowing the right types of questions to ask, you run the risk of not knowing the...
Making a Difference in Kids Lives Through Trauma-Informed Services with All Star Children’s Foundation.
September 12, 2023 10:30 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBOn today’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob interviews Dr. Kristin Hoffman, Ph.D., Chief Program Officer and Child Psychologist and Chelsea Henandez, LCSW, Clinical Director of the All Star Children’s Foundation. The All Star Children’s Foundation, based in Sarasota, Florida uses a trauma-focused approach through innovation, science and compassion. They have an onsite campus, home to youth in foster care and their caregivers where they offer a number of evidence-based trainings to the com...
TODD PARR TALKS ABOUT HIS RECENT CHILDRENS BOOK "THE MONSTER MAC AND CHEESE PARTY" & MORE!
September 05, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.5 MBWelcome to Season 5 of Fostering Change! For those of you who are new to us: “Welcome!” And for our returning friends, “Welcome Back!” Fostering Change is hosted by Rob Scheer, the founder of Comfort Cases, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote hope and dignity to youth in foster care. We will post new episodes of Fostering Change every Tuesday on all of your favorite podcast channels, YouTube and on our Comfort Cases page (www.comfortcases/podcast). On the Comfort Cases...
“Best of Season 4”What Needs to Change in the Foster Care System - Cody Renegar
August 29, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 44.3 MBThank you for joining us for our final “Best of Season 4” episode of Fostering Change. From all of us at Comfort Cases, we hope you had a wonderful summer and enjoyed revisiting some of our favorite episodes from this past season. Next week, September 5, we will post the first episode for our new season. Can you believe that we’re entering Season 5???? Neither can we! We want to thank everyone: our guests and our listeners for all you do to make Fostering Change the #1 podcast for issues...
“Best of Season 4” We Talk About The Secret to Happiness: GIVING With Gideon Bernstein
August 22, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 47.5 MBIn this week's episode of Fostering Change, we revisit Rob’s conversation with Gideon Bernstein, Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy and the author of The Workbook for Giving: Exercises for identifying the resources, giving goals, and giving strategies for you and your family. Gideon Bernstein has served as a trusted financial advisor to families in Orange County, California, for decades. Currently a Principal and Chief Investment Officer at Leisure Capital M...
"Best of Season 4" A Transracially Adopted Person Shares Her Life Experiences: April Dinwoodie
August 15, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 45.4 MBApril Dinwoodie is an Adoption Activist, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant, and Parent Coach. Dinwoodie’s podcast Born in June, Raised in April: What Adoption Can Teach the World helps facilitate an open dialogue about identity, family, and differences of race, culture, and class. As a transracially adopted person (Black/bi-racial, adopted into a white family), April is fiercely dedicated to sharing her experiences to audiences of varied spectrums. In this week’s Fost...
Best of Season 4: Inspiring Youth Through Literacy and Community Action Stacy Huston - SixDegrees.org
August 08, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 48.3 MBOriginally airing in May during National Foster Care Awareness Month, on today’s “Best of” episode of Fostering Change Rob interviews Stacy Huston, Executive Director of Sixdegrees.org, the award-winning nonprofit founded by Kevin Bacon with a mission rooted in connecting people to resources. Six Degrees supports impactful initiatives to sustain and enrich local communities by developing partnerships and solutions working collaboratively with local leaders, residents, and celebrities, on in...
“Best of Season 4” The Issues Youth Aging Out of Foster Care and What is Being Done
August 01, 2023 10:00 - 35 minutes - 64.8 MBToday we revisit Angela Featherstone - model, actress, philanthropist: Founder of the organization Fosteringcare.org, a nonprofit trauma-healing and trade school for youth aging out of foster care in Los Angeles. The school is contributing to halting the negative outcomes that so many youth who age out of foster care experience, including homelessness, incarceration, and human trafficking. Moreover, the school is also very importantly training young people in healing modalities, so that the...
“Best of Season 4:” Turn 2 Foundation’s Sharlee Jeter Shares How Youth Can Reach Their Full Potential
July 25, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBToday, in the midst of one of the hottest summer’s on record, we revisit our interview with Sharlee Jeter, President of the Turn 2 Foundation, a non-profit established by her brother, baseball legend Derek Jeter, and their father, Dr. Charles Jeter, to motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "Turn 2" healthy lifestyles. They provide help for youth to reach their full potential by creating and supporting initiatives that promote leadership development, academic achievem...
Best of Season 4: Growing up Homeless and in Foster Care and Rise to Become a Nationally Renowned Advocate for Child Welfare
July 18, 2023 10:00 - 36 minutes - 67.3 MBToday, as we continue our “Best of Season 4” series, we revisit our interview with Rob’s friend, David Ambroz, author of “A Place Called Home.” David is a national poverty and child welfare expert and advocate. He was recognized by President Obama as an American Champion of Change. In writing about the book, Hillary Clinton stated: “It’s impossible to read… and not want to redouble your efforts to fight the systems of poverty that have plagued America for far too long.” David currently ser...
An Inspirational “Best of Season 4” Interview: Lauren Ruotolo, advocate for women and the disabled
July 11, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 54.2 MBAs we continue our “Best of Season 4 Series” this Summer, we go back to a true favorite: Rob Scheer talks with Lauren Ruotolo, author of “Unstoppable in Stilettos”, inspirational speaker and award winning content producer. Be this the first time you’ve heard this interview, or an encore, we know you’ll love Lauren as much as we do. At 18 months Lauren was diagnosed with a rare disease called McCune Albright's Syndrome which left her walking with crutches full time at the age of 5 years ol...
Best of Season 4: Kenisha Anthony - Living Life Despite Barriers
July 04, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 53.5 MBFor our first “Best of” episode in July, we are revisiting our interview with Kenisha Anthony, a first-generation college graduate, award-winning advocate for youth, and author. Known for being resilient and bold, Kenisha Anthony is an outspoken activist utilizing her experiences to empower others. As a foster care visionary, she starred in the documentary, Foster Shock and has been featured on NPR and in Essence Magazine. Join our host Rob Scheer as he talks with Kenisha about her eye-openi...
Best of Season 4: Helping Children Make a Unique Contribution to the World with Childhelp’s Michael Medoro
June 27, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 48.3 MBMichael leads the executive efforts of the national nonprofit organization, Childhelp – a national leader in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. Childhelp believes that every child has a unique contribution to make to the world. Prior to his role with Childhelp, Michael has served in executive leadership roles with other national and international nonprofit organizations such as Easter Seals and Project CURE. Currently pursuing a PhD in Education from Seattle Pacif...
“Best of Season 4”: Hustling With Heart – How Mike Thorne is Helping Others Find Their Personal Trust Communities
June 20, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 49.2 MBOriginally posted in March, we couldn’t be happier to share Rob’s interview with his good friend, Mike Thorne, Mike’s focus of work is Human Transformation. He accomplishes this through an association with Vistage Worldwide, the largest Peer Advisory firm, and his work as Chairman of the National Council for Adoption. As the author of the new book, Hustle With Heart: Unlocking Self-Worth Through Personal Trust Communities, he works to help people transform and thrive - at home and at work -...
Best of Season 4 | Damon Davis shares his journey through life as an adoptee to becoming an adoptive parent himself
June 13, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 63.2 MBPlease note that this episode initially aired in November, National Adoption Awareness Month. We acknowledge all, such as our guest Damon Davis, who continue raising awareness about adoption. In this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer talks with author and podcast host Damon Davis. Host of the "Who Am I Really?" podcast (www.whoamireallypodcast.com) Damon interviews people who share their stories of adoption and their attempt to find their birth families. He has interviewed near...
BEST OF SEASON 4: Featuring Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis
June 06, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 53.3 MBToday we kick off our "BEST OF SEASON 4" series. And what better way than to re-broadcast our first episode of the season, featuring Olympic Gold Medalist, Greg Louganis. So please enjoy - either for the 1st time or again. And stay tuned for additional "Best ofs" through the summer until we premiere Season 5 in September. From the archive: We are so thrilled to launch our 4th Season of “Fostering Change.” Over the past 4 years, we have spoken with more than 150 Good Humans, who have sh...
How Amerigroup DC is Supporting and Providing Resources for the Foster Care Community
May 30, 2023 10:00 - 21 minutes - 39.6 MBNolan Carr serves as the Marketing & Community Relations Manager for Amerigroup DC, a Managed Care Organization in the district serving residents eligible for Medicaid Health Insurance. In his role, Nolan coordinates outreach and community events to connect families to resources and services. Nolan supports the mission of Amerigroup DC to create a healthier District of Columbia. He is a proud graduate of Jackson State University. Story Key Notes: 🖐️ Supporting the foster care community...
A Transracially Adopted Person Shares Her Life Experiences: April Dinwoodie, Episode 181
May 23, 2023 10:00 - 22 minutes - 42.1 MBApril Dinwoodie is an Adoption Activist, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Consultant, and Parent Coach. Dinwoodie’s podcast Born in June, Raised in April: What Adoption Can Teach the World helps facilitate an open dialogue about identity, family, and differences of race, culture, and class. As a transracially adopted person (Black/bi-racial, adopted into a white family), April is fiercely dedicated to sharing her experiences to audiences of varied spectrums. In this week’s Fost...
Helping Children Find Their Forever Families
May 16, 2023 14:30 - 28 minutes - 21.4 MBIn today’s podcast Rob Scheer and his guests discuss the needs of families looking to adopt. This includes creating paths for families who need extra support for safety and stability. They look at what is working and what can be done differently to help children and families thrive. Adoptions Together supports children and families formed through adoption, guardianship, foster care, and kinship care with specialized services offered at locations in Maryland, Virginia and DC. Support is avai...
Inspiring Youth Through Literacy and Community Action Stacy Huston - SixDegrees.org
May 09, 2023 10:00 - 24 minutes - 44.5 MBStacy Huston is Executive Director of Sixdegrees.org, The award-winning nonprofit founded by Kevin Bacon with a mission rooted in connecting people to resources. Six Degrees supports impactful initiatives to sustain and enrich local communities by developing partnerships and solutions working collaboratively with local leaders, residents, and celebrities, on increasing youth empowerment, justice and equality, and improving a sustainable living environment. The organization prioritizes the ...
The Issues Youth Aging Out of Foster Care and What is Being Done
May 02, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 61.4 MBAngela Featherstone - model, actress, philanthropist: Founder of the organization Fosteringcare.org, a nonprofit trauma-healing and trade school for youth aging out of foster care in Los Angeles. The school is contributing to halting the negative outcomes that so many youth who age out of foster care experience, including homelessness, incarceration, and human trafficking. Moreover, the school is also very importantly training young people in healing modalities, so that they leave school wi...
Elevating the Awareness That Thousands of Parents Cannot Provide DIAPERS for their Babies
April 25, 2023 10:00 - 17 minutes - 32.4 MBThe Diaper Bank, Covering South Florida, has been operating for 11 years and has distributed over 5 million diapers, serving 3500 families each month. We are members of the National Diaper Bank Network- a collaboration of over 300 diaper banks around the nation working to end diaper inequity. We break the cycle of diaper inequity by providing diapers to those who cannot afford them. How do we do this? By providing P.E.A.C.E. – Partner, Educate, Advocate, Compassion and Elevate We PARTNE...
Turn 2 Foundation’s Sharlee Jeter Shares How Youth Can Reach Their Full Potential
April 18, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 42.7 MBSharlee Jeter is president of the Turn 2 Foundation, a non-profit established by her brother, baseball legend Derek Jeter, and their father, Dr. Charles Jeter, to motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "Turn 2" healthy lifestyles. They provide help for youth to reach their full potential by creating and supporting initiatives that promote leadership development, academic achievement, positive behavior, healthy lifestyles and social change. She also serves as vice pr...
Legal and Financial Planning to Support Families and Youth (before they enter Foster Care)
April 11, 2023 10:00 - 16 minutes - 30.2 MBMegan & Lindsay have a combined 30 years of legal experience and help clients create custom estate plans that last the test of time. They work with clients to protect their assets so that they leave behind a legacy of love and not a mess. Using Estate Planning for Charitable Giving, their firm also creates a complimentary Kids Emergency Support Plan for families with minor children that is designed to keep kids out of the foster care system if their parents become temporarily or permanently...
Enriching the Lives of Children Growing Up in the Foster Care System
April 04, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 22.4 MBAmanda Simoneta and Myra Scheer have been involved with The Felix Organization since its inception in 2006. Both have watched the mission come to life and expand its reach to provide life-changing opportunities to youth in foster care for over 177 years. The mission of The Felix Organization is to provide inspiring opportunities and new experiences to enrich the lives of children who are growing up in the foster care system. Co-Founders, Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (Run DMC AND Rock and Roll H...
Hustling With Heart: How Mike Thorne is Helping Others Find Their Personal Trust Communities
March 28, 2023 10:00 - 26 minutes - 20.1 MBMike Thorne’s focus of work is Human Transformation. He accomplishes this through an association with Vistage Worldwide, the largest Peer Advisory firm, and his work as Chairman of the National Council for Adoption. As the author of the new book, Hustle With Heart: Unlocking Self-Worth Through Personal Trust Communities, he works to help people transform and thrive - at home and at work - to find a better way forward with their lives. Mike is the former President of Yankee Candle and Russe...
Helping Children Make a Unique Contribution to the World: Childhelp’s Michael Medoro
March 21, 2023 10:00 - 25 minutes - 47.7 MBMichael leads the executive efforts of the national nonprofit organization, Childhelp – a national leader in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. Childhelp believes that every child has a unique contribution to make to the world. Prior to his role with Childhelp, Michael has served in executive leadership roles with other national and international nonprofit organizations such as Easter Seals and Project CURE. Currently pursuing a PhD in Education from Seattle Pacif...
A Discussion About How the Pandemic Affected the Lives of Youth in Foster Care
March 14, 2023 10:00 - 29 minutes - 54.9 MBIn this week's episode of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer has an enlightening conversation with Bhavini Solanki, Director of Foster Care for Amerigroup’s Georgia Families 360 Program. In her role, she is responsible for the healthcare of children and youth in state custody, those who have been adopted through Georgia’s foster care system and a few hundred Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) managed members. Bhavini works collaboratively with all the state agencies to maintain quality outcomes...