Foster Carolinas

In this final episode of the year we sit down with Konecka Drakeford, from Gaston County DSS, and explore the intricacies of foster care, focusing on the daily responsibilities of social workers, the challenges faced in finding placements, and the critical need for more foster homes, especially for teenagers. Konecka emphasizes the importance of community support, training for foster parents, and...

In this episode, host Tiffany Jothen speaks with Trent Taylor, a former foster youth and co-founder of the ministry Watch Me Rise . Trent shares his harrowing experiences in the foster care system, the trauma he endured, and the eventual adoption that changed his life. He discusses the importance of faith in his healing journey and how he now dedicates his life to helping others through his minist...

Derek Clark, a former foster youth turned motivational speaker, shares his journey from a troubled childhood filled with trauma and adversity to becoming a beacon of hope and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, the power of music as a form of expression, and the need for compassion in parenting and mentoring. Derek encourages listeners to take responsibility for their lives, suppo...

In this episode, host Tiffany Jothen interviews Susie Taylor, the adoptive mother of Jess Vestal, who gained fame on the reality show Love is Blind. "I had to learn to take a back seat." Susie shares her journey from being a single mother to becoming a foster parent and ultimately adopting Jess. The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of fostering a teenager, the bond that developed...

Walking in Her Shoes In this conversation, Aaliyah Drake shares her experiences growing up in foster care and the impact it has had on her life. She reflects on her childhood, the importance of family dynamics, and the role of faith in her journey. Aaliyah offers insights for foster parents on how to create a welcoming environment for children in care and provides advice for foster kids on navigat...

Walking in Her Shoes This week on PERSPECTIVES, Aaliyah Drake opens her heart and shares her powerful journey through the foster care system – from the moment she was taken into care to how those experiences shaped who she is today. Raw. Honest. Unforgettable. Aaliyah's story reminds us why these conversations matter. Her perspective as a former foster youth offers invaluable insights that every f...

New Series Alert! PERSPECTIVE Happy Monday! This week, we're diving into a powerful conversation with District Attorney Travis Page as he pulls back the curtain on how the foster care system intersects with our justice system. As a DA, Travis brings a unique lens to the foster care conversation – one that many of us rarely get to see. His insights shed light on the complexities and challenges that...

We're backkkkkk! This was a long time coming, and I know it was worth it. Listen in today to Mikaila as she speaks such wisdom and insight to our audience. Who knew becoming educated on a deeper level would make a true, positive impact on a child who is experiencing the foster care system?? YOU CAN DO THAT! You can learn more, listen more, and ultimately, HELP MORE!!! We want to help you accom...

We had a STACKED lineup for this past series of Foster Carolinas. We heard from so many powerhouses in the world of foster care. If you can believe it, this next series is going to be EVEN BETTER! Tune in today to see who and how we are about to finish out this year here on Foster Carolinas. We are SO GLAD you are listening! This upcoming season is also going to be exciting because we are now vide...

Thank you for listening this week as Abbey is back on the podcast interviewing Emily Wood, the Founder and Director of Mosaic Hope. Mosaic Hope is a nonprofit that desires to see "every child and family surrounded by a community of support." If you cannot tell, Abbey and Emily are friends in real life, and really enjoyed their conversation today full of practical advice on entering into...

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to talk with you from BRIDGE CAMP 2023!!! Our absolute favorite place! Susanna sits down in the middle of our last full day at camp to talk with our speaker, Shaq Hardy. Shaq was formerly in foster care as a child and has a perspective on camp that is so refreshing and helpful to those helping out and especially to the campers. A few of my favorite...

Thanks for listening in today! In this episode you will hear Susanna, our host, interview Lacey Beam. Lacey is a treasured friend here at LOTC, a foster mom, and the best head counselor we've got at Bridge Camp (sorry, Lee)! Her heart for the foster care system is huge and she puts that heart into everything she does in this realm. You get to hear that today! You might be shocked by her answer...

We're glad you're here and listening today! Join us as Foster Carolina's host, Susanna Kavanaugh interviews Jason Weber, a giant in the foster care ministry world. More Than Enough is the ministry Jason leads under the Christian Alliance for Orphans banner. More Than Enough believes "that local networks of passionate churches, organizations, and advocates like you can work togethe...

Thanks for joining us today on the podcast, we're glad you're here! Levacy Smith is the State Director at Lifeline Children's Services, a global nonprofit, making a difference in both domestic and international adoptions. Through working with the nonprofit, she has much experience in getting community partners involved and mobilizing churches to care for the orphaned children around th...

Today we are excited to present this episode we recorded with our fantastic friends and generous donors, Joey and Brittany Logano from the Joey Logano Foundation! You are able to hear their heart behind their partnership and support of organizations that are serving children in foster care. If you have heard us talk about Bridge Camp on here, you can thank the Logano's for their partnership in...

Listen in today to hear our host, Susanna Kavanaugh, talk to Pastor Ray Hardee from The Pointe Church about how and why he is so passionate and involved in the foster care crisis. This friendship between these two and the partnership between LOTC and The Pointe go way back. It is helpful and beneficial to know there are churches out there that see a need and make strides in helping fulfill that ne...

Join us for the first episode in our new series, "Who is Helping?" Rebekah and Abbey are Least of These Carolinas' own and they take you through the core questions that will be asked throughout the series to all of our guests. In this episode, they answer the questions for themselves and relive some of the fun, challenging, and heart-warming stories they have experienced through thei...

This week we brought questions to Susanna that are from friends who do not have background in the world of foster care. We took questions straight from those who want to know more, but have not had experience with foster care up close. We have had a great time in this series of laying a foundation of "basic" knowledge so we can all move forward with a basis of understanding. We hope you...

Happy Friday, listeners! You are in for a treat today! Katie Kiker, a licensing supervisor at 7 Homes, a private licensing agency here in NC, is on the podcast today. I know you will benefit from her wealth of knowledge because I know I sure did!  On this episode, you will hear the basics on what a private foster care licensing agency is and what they can offer their families, what the best m...

You have 2 old, familiar voices, if you have been around for a while, on today's episode. Abbey and Selina sit down to educate on some of the very basics of foster care. Why are children in care? How do you get licensed? Who is licensed? What is kinship care? Why are kids living in different counties than where they are from? Dive into these answers with us! Selina has welcomed several children in...

We here at Foster Carolinas are so happy to have hosted Fearless Fostering's Cathleen Bearse on todays podcast! She is a foster care informed therapist and she has a heart for those who are entering into the world of foster care, as she wants them to be informed and have more knowledge than she did before she entered into this world. Cathleen is so knowledgeable and you will definitely walk away k...

On today's episode of Foster Carolinas, Susanna sits down with one of LOTC's best friends, Gaile Osborne from Foster Family Alliance of NC. Gaile and her organization work to EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, SUPPORT, AND PROMOTE PARTNERSHIPS THAT LEAD TO POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND RESOURCE FAMILIES OF NC. Gaile is fulfilling part of that mission to EDUCATE  on today's podcast. The world of f...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! We are so excited to be back behind the mic to give you guys glimpses into the world of foster care. This year, it is our goal to lay ground work to make sure you know what we are talking about when we bring you the stories of foster care. The information and language we use is basic to us, but we realize it is not to others, and we want to address that by breaking it down. Knowle...

Does foster care seem far too complicated for you to be part of? Are you overwhelmed by all that will entail welcoming a kiddo from a hard place into your home? Do you believe foster care is for you, but you really don't even know where to start? THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU! Katie has been welcoming kids into her home for almost 6 years now, and she has learned a lot over the years. She has so much wi...

12 Hours of Christmas is ALMOST here!!! Listen in this week to see how our weekend will be going and how much FUN we have! Katie "That's My Jam" Reed is a long time friend of LOTC and her favorite event is 12 Hours of Christmas! Least of These Carolinas takes service seriously, and we always have to have fun while doing it. I hope you see that listening to today's episode. Make sure you are follow...