Fostering Hope: Recent Episodes
Fostering Hope Ohio
With limited resources, networks and means, foster children face challenges that so many of us will never have at such a young age. What if, with a podcast, we could educate the public, engage them with our community, and encourage them to become foster parents, so that every child has a home? What if by sharing their stories, we create networks that would never have occurred, and create new connections to potential parents? What if we had a medium to inspire these kids to overcome obstacles and put them on the path towards something great.
Welcome to the Fostering Home Podcast. An extension of the already very successful local mission which was founded to creative outlets for kids, the program includes community involvement, improved health an wellness, and an environment full of positive experiences. The Fostering Hope team invites you to join them on this journey as they answer common questions, invite inspiring guests, share personal experiences, and most importantly, do what they do best...Foster Hope.
We sit down with Fostering Hope's new intern, Tanisha Warren, and discuss her background, inspirations, hopes and dreams for her future and the future of our schools, foster programs and social work in general.
Elaine Hullihen, our Hope and Balance Coordinator, guides you through a yoga and meditation session! This is much like the sessions our kids participate in and we love it so much we had to share it! We invite you to find a quiet space and 30 minutes to relax and enjoy this very peaceful guided session.
It’s bunny hop season and we are gearing up for our big basket give away. Karen and Christina talk about what is needed as the planning and preparations begin. Listen in and then check out the Fostering Hope Ohio website to sign up!
That is Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services motto. Currently, Cuyahoga County has the largest number of children waiting for adoption or placement in a foster home in years. In this episode, we hear from the staff of DCFS on how to become an adoptive or foster parent and dive into the process.
There were so many great things in 2021 for Fostering Hope despite the pandemic. Our volunteers and staff kept our programs running as best they could, and we have the numbers to prove it! Listen as we review the accomplishments and look ahead into a new year filled with caring hands and lots of hope!
Nicole Shefrin, the founder of Fostering Hope Ohio, tells the why and how this organization came to be! Her incredible heart shines though as we discuss how many of the programs were created and the stories of how it has impacted the kids.
We are on location at the donation center talking about what goes on this exciting week!
The holiday season can feel lonely and isolating for a child who can’t be with his or her family. The Holiday Gift ‘n Greet brings the joy of the holiday season to youth in foster care and residential treatment, allowing them to just be kids. Cara Berg, Development Director, and Karen Carter, Executive Director, talk about all the ways you can participate in the Gift 'n Greet and make a difference in a child's life.
A Fostering Hope youth shares her favorite things to do and talks about the joys and challenges everyone faces living in a big family.
The big annual fundraiser is almost here! Cara Berg, Development Director at Fostering Hope, talks about what to expect at this years event. Get your tickets by Sunday and join us!
We are on location at the Fostering Hope donation center with Karen Carter! It really takes a village to keep this organization running and we go behind the scenes to find out what generous donations have been given, what they need now, and how YOU can help!
Melvin Davis is a minister, a father, a volunteer, and the Dreams Program Manager at Fostering Hope. We dive into his story, his passion for helping these kids, and how the Dreams Program assists those in the residential housing. What is residential housing? Melvin describes what life is like inside and how he and his team work hard everyday to make sure every child is cared for and feels special.
Executive Director Karen Carter talks with Kimberly Sullivan about her role on the board, her experiences, and all that is going on within Fostering Hope.
Today we talk with Karen Carter about the programs for the little ones in foster care. We even have a little special little guest to share her perspective on why these programs are so important to kids her age. Listen now to hear all the great ways Fostering Hope is making a difference - and how you can help!
Dionne Griffin is legally a mother of 6 but has been a parent figure for many others as well through the foster system. Listen as she tells her foster care and adoption stories and let her inspire you to be apart of such a needed role.
Karen Carter from Fostering Hope meets with Joseph Jackson and Bryan Stanton of Cuyahoga County Division of Child and Family Services. They tackle some great questions such as…what does it take to be a foster parent, and what is the county doing for the LGBTQ community in foster care? Join us as we dive into the foster system with the people who know it best!
Christina and Karen discuss why mentoring youth in foster care is so important. Did you know Fostering Hope has an emergency fund set up for older kids who have aged out of foster care? Life is expensive and unpredictable, and many young adults have no one to turn to for guidance or financial support. That is where we step in... and where you can help!
Karen and Gaby talk about all the ways you can get involved with Fostering Hope. From mentoring to gardening, there is something for everyone and every little bit counts. A quick listen packed with information for anyone interested in getting involved!
Elaine Hullihen from Fostering Hope interviews India Burton, once in a foster child now theatre artist and activist for kids in foster care. Elaine asks questions created by her students about India’s past, her experience in the program and what she is doing now. We were moved to tears by the poem India read near the end as she gives us a just a glimpse of what it is like to be a foster child. This is definitely a good listen, but you may need a tissue.
Rosalynne Sommer, Director of Foster Care at Bellefaire and Karen Carter, Director of Fostering Hope, explain the relationship they have together in supporting foster kids of Northeast Ohio. We dive into the details of how the foster care system works, what it means to be a mentor and a foster parent, and their crucial roles in the program.
Ever wonder what it takes to be a foster parent? Today we dive into the life of an amazing couple who tells us all about the ups and downs of fostering children through their own experiences. We had so many questions and learned so much!
Director of the “Dreams Program” Melvin Davis joins the podcast to explain their mission, and how they help kids aging out of foster care.
Learn about the foster care program from Fostering Hope executive director Karen Carter - what opportunities are offered, and how to get involved. So many questions answered, and yet so much more we can all learn!