Keri spent the first 20 years of her life surviving. She went into foster care at 3 days old and was adopted by age 5. This was supposed to be her happy ending but instead she endured abuse and more broken relationships. This pain and trauma could have defined Keri's life, but instead she chose to find healing.
Late one night in a Los Angeles hotel room, Brenna had her kids unexpectedly removed from her care and taken back to Michigan. Now, with COVID lockdown just starting, she found herself stuck, homeless, and hopeless. This could have crushed most people, but Brenna loved her children more than anything and would do whatever it took to get them back.
After an unplanned pregnancy her senior year of high school, Emma placed her baby for adoption. Today, 5 years later, Emma and adoptive mama Rachel are here today to tell us about the ways they have been able to heal and grow together through open adoption for the sake of their daughter.
Prince Hayward had every reason to become another statistic of the foster care system, but instead he is using his experience to advocate for the next generation.
People can help vulnerable children and families at any stage of their life and our guest today, Bob Rogers is here to prove just that. Bob is near and dear to the Archibald family as he is Whitney's dad and is here to talk with us about how he is using his retirement time to care for vulnerable children and families in his local community.
Cindy was born in South Korea but she was raised by a black family in Jackson, Mississippi. Like many transracial adoptees, this collision of race, ethnicity, and culture sent Cindy on a complicated journey to find her identity and sense of belonging.
As a child, very few adults took the chance to help Gaelin in his situation. This resulted in over 20 foster homes, homelessness, and abuse. But despite all that was against him Gaelin did not become another statistic of the system, and his story is further proof that kids in foster care are more than what their case file says. They are strong, resilient, and healing is possible.
Cathleen Bearse is a licensed therapist who decided to become a foster parent, yet before she even received her first placement she started therapy herself. Cathleen shares with us the power of having a safe place for your feelings and emotions during foster care.
Ashlee and her husband had what so many people work toward; a mostly controlled and comfortable life. But when they were confronted with the reality of children and families in need, they knew they were being called out of their comfort and into something greater.
Jason Johnson and his wife had talked about foster care for a while, but she was ready and he wasn't. What he didn't know was that his decision would change the direction and trajectory of his entire life in ways he never expected.
Travel with us from the busy streets of Bangkok to a border town dump to hear the work of a man and his team who are empowering families and protecting vulnerable children from trafficking.
At the time this episode was recorded, the organization was called Compasio. They are now called Global Child Advocates.
Sri Lanka is strikingly beautiful, but it has a complicated history. This has had the greatest effect on the vulnerable children who call this place home. We travel from the oceans to the mountains to hear the compelling stories of children and the people working to help them thrive.
Get immersed in the busyness of Beijing as we document something extremely rare; the adoption of a 13 year old boy who is visually impaired.
Travel with us to a country that marks the southern edge of the Sahara Desert to witness the adoption of a 13 year old boy with hearing loss.
Travel with us inside the borders of Western Romania to hear the story of a woman who has been rescuing vulnerable children since the fall of communism.
Become immersed in the sounds of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia as we hear the stories of vulnerable children and the people working to provide them with family.
Finding a foster home for a teenager is almost twice as unlikely as finding a home for children 12 and under. Yet, despite this trend, Maranda Karenbauer and her husband have welcomed four children (ages 17, 16, 13, and 11) into their home. Despite the stereotypes and fears around fostering teens, Maranda and her husband have instead found deep love and even their first son.
Brittaney Allen's experience in foster care made her believe that no one could love her. But a foster family said yes and eventually became her family through adoption. Now Brittaney is a foster and adoptive parent herself.
When a child in foster care must transition out of your home, (hopefully to be reunited with family) it can still be difficult for everyone involved. But we can help the children we love and set them up to thrive in their new home by creating something called a transition plan. Hallie Graves is here to share how a successful transition has helped her foster children continue to heal.
From the age of eight Kylee had children from foster care in her life and her home. Her parent's decision to make this a part of the DNA of their family had major effects on Kylee's childhood, teen years, and who she is today. Her story and experience may not be what you expect.
Even though Ligia Cushman was an adoption social worker when she adopted, she still wasn’t fully prepared for all the feelings of grief and loss that her son would experience. But over the years she has never stopped leaning in, listening, and learning. She now knows that adoption requires deep love, compassion and action. She is here to show us what love in action looks like.
If you aren't able to foster or adopt, one of the most important and impactful roles you can play is supporting someone who is. But it’s not always clear what you should do or how to best help. To help with this we sat down with our own friend and employee Allie Chandler who has been supporting us in our adoption for 3 years now. Our candid discussion will better equip you to truly help the foster and adoptive families you love.
Angela Braniff is a mother to 8 through domestic adoption, international adoption, special needs adoption, embryo adoption and birth. Angela’s passion for justice, ethics and ensuring that all children are in a safe and loving family is contagious.
Julie and Brian Mavis had been foster parents, raised bio children, and even started an amazing organization called America's Kids Belong. And as recent empty nesters, they were poised for some well deserved R&R. But the Mavis' had seen too much. So when they were confronted with the opportunity to care for an older child who had aged out of foster care, they said yes. Their "yes" changed everything.
Embo Tshimanga edured 25 plus moves, 20 schools, 6 homeless shelters, 2 women’s shelters, and 2 group homes during her time in foster care. When she aged out, she had every reason to become another statistic, yet Embo began a journey of healing that included becoming a college graduate. She is here to share her story and how we can all do better at supporting our youth in and out of foster care.
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