The Aging Out Podcast

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...

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.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Debbie Ausburn, social worker turned lawyer, foster parent, and author from Woodstock, Georgia. Debbie shares her experience as both a foster parent and step-parent, and also discusses some key lessons she has learned - especially working with older foster youth - that she has captured in her book, Raising Other People's Children.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Joann Taijala, Founder and Executive Director of Home Grown in Eureka, California. Joann and Lynn talk about the organization's unique host home model in which volunteer hosts provide temporary housing in their own homes for youth facing homelessness, including those aging out of foster care.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Dr. Natalie Ellington, Founder and Executive Director of Eileen & Callie's Place in Kent, Washington. Natalie and Lynn talk about the organization's mentoring program for young ladies aging out of foster care, their goal of opening a transitional living house, why letting these young people make their own choices is so important, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Samantha Baldassari, Postsecondary Coordinator with C.B. Community Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They talk about how C.B. Community Schools provide academic and support services for older foster youth, the school's unique model that focuses on competency rather than grade levels (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior), and how they managed through the...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Daniel Crandall, who is a foster parent, speaker, trainer, and Creative Director with a passion for helping youth to create the future they love. Lynn and Daniel talk about the journey that brought him to helping foster youth, the future focus of his work with youth, and the importance of helping young people find hope and meaning in their lives.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Jamie Pfau, co-founder of Peace for All of Us Homes in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. They talk about the transitional housing program that she and her husband started during COVID, the state of foster youth support in Canada (particularly in Manitoba), and ideas to improve the way the foster care systems in Canada and the USA prepare youth for aging out. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Miriam Connolly, LMSW, with Blavin Scholars at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. They talk about Miriam's background as a social worker in the foster care system, the services that the Blavin Scholars program provides youth aging out of foster care, and ideas to improve the way the foster care system prepares youth for aging out. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Natalie Chavis Fisher from Indianapolis, Indiana. They talk about Natalie's work as an attorney in foster care and adoption law, as well as a novel she has written, a documentary being developed, and a television show - all focusing on adoption and aging out of foster care. They also brainstorm solutions that the foster care system could implement that would...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Natasha Doan-Motsinger (Executive Director) and Alyssa Silletti (Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator) from Our House in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Natasha, Alyssa, and Lynn talk about the variety of services that Our House provides to help prepare youth in foster care for independence. Their services include mentoring, teaching life skills, providing transitional h...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Sarah North Wolfe, Dawson Promise Coordinator and Interim Dean of Enrollment at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana. Sarah and Lynn talk about Dawson Promise's services supporting youth aging out of care throughout their time as a student at the community college, which includes assistance applying to the college and for financial aid, a summer bri...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Tammy Spence, Founder and Executive Director of Second Shift based in Alabaster, Alabama. Tammy and Lynn talk about Second Shift's many services for youth aging out of care, their "host home" transitional living model; opportunities that could improve the foster care system, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Jordan Bartlett (Co-Founder) and Denae Esteban (Research Intern) from Doing Good Works based in Irvine, California. Jordan, Denae, and Lynn talk about their organization's for-profit, social enterprise model; the 10/20/30 structure that enables financial support, mentoring, and employment for youth aging out of care; and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Rob Scheer, Founder of Comfort Cases based in Rockville, Maryland. Rob and Lynn talk about Rob's own experience in foster care, the mission of Comfort Cases to eliminate the use of trash bags as suitcases in the foster care system, the importance of providing dignity and hope to youth in care, and more.

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Whitney Gilliard, Co-Founder and CEO of Gilliard and Company based in Pooler, Georgia. Whitney and Lynn talk about Gilliard and Company's transitional housing and mentor programs for youth in transition (age 18 to 21), their "Haven Room" for youth entering foster care or between placements, how the program has continued working with youth during the COVID-19...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Patricia Holland, Founder and President of All Things New, Inc. based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Patricia and Lynn talk about the All Things New coaching program for foster youth (both those still in care and those who have already aged out), local partnerships to help foster youth achieve their life goals, how the program was affected by the COVID-19 pande...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Greg Rapport, Founder and Executive Director of Age-Out Angels based in Columbus, New Jersey. Greg and Lynn talk about Age-Out Angels' mentoring program for foster youth (both those still in care and those who have already aged out), how the program was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new partnership with a local community college to help foster youth g...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Sue Evans, Chief Operations Officer of Walden Family Services based in San Diego, California. Sue and Lynn talk about Walden's transitional housing program for foster youth who choose to participate in the state's extended foster care services; key strategies for supporting youth who are aging out; how their program was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Dr. Sebrena Jackson, Founder and Director of the National Social Work Enrichment Program (NSEP) based in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Sebrena and Lynn talk about NSEP's summer program designed to expose older foster youth to the college experience; ideas for improving the foster care system; how their program was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Erin NeSmith, Founder and Executive Director of Grow Into You Foundation in Riverview, Florida. Erin and Lynn talk about their coaching, mentoring, and transitional housing programs; ideas for improving the foster care system; how their program has managed through COVID-19, and more. 

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Ann Marie Binsner, Executive Director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) in Prince George's County, Maryland. Ann Marie and Lynn talk about how CASA volunteers advocate for foster youth in the courts, the benefits of their advocacy work, the importance of having youth engaged in the planning of their own future, how their program has managed through...

In this episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Lorilynn Violanta, Director of Advancement for NMCAN. NMCAN is an organization that supports youth aging out of foster care through mentoring, coaching, and advocacy. Lorilynn and Lynn talk about NMCAN's mentoring and coaching programs, strategies that ensure authentic youth engagement in planning their own future, how their program has managed through COVID...