In this pilot episode of the Foster Movement Podcast, we visited with former foster youth, Jessica Francis.  Jessica entered foster care at 12 and aged out before going to college.  You’ll hear her amazing story of persisting through college as a single mom, her time as a caseworker for the state and how she now uses her experience to step into the lives of other aging out youth so that they have the connection to mentors that she never had.

We are then joined by author and adoptive mom, Pam Parish, who is the Founder and President of Connections Homes out of Atlanta.   Connections Homes helps followers of Christ provide trusted relationships for young adults who have aged out of foster care.  She shares practical tips on beginning this same kind of inspiring and vital work in your church and community.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series–“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Jessica

In this episode we visited with former foster youth and adult adoptee, Mercedes Russaw.  Mercedes entered foster care at a young age and was adopted by her foster mom.  She discusses the desire she had as a young adult to explore her biological family relationships and talks about the dynamics of how that impacted her relationship with her adoptive mom.  With beautiful faith and clarity, Mercedes talks about the role her relationship with God has played in her understanding of her relationship with both of these important women in her life.
 
We are then joined by writer and foster and adoptive dad, Johnston Moore, who is the Founder and Executive Director of Home Forever.  While Johnston and his wife Terri have come to be strong advocates for building relationships with biological family members of kids that have come into their home, they didn’t always feel that way.  Johnston shares about his journey to understand the importance of these relationships and how God has used this in amazing ways.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Mercedes

We had the opportunity to sit down with two former foster youth who grew up together in a group home, Jimmy Cisneros and Jacob Mendez. Jimmy and Jacob share about their foster care experiences and the commitment they had to break the cycle that existed within each of their own families. Jimmy and Jacob believe that changing foster care can change the world.

We are then joined by Jedd Medefind, the President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans and the Author of Becoming Home. Jedd dives deeper into this idea of how changing the outcomes of foster care would have a profound impact on so many other areas of society from child trafficking to homelessness to incarceration. He discusses some of the statistics and the implications for the Church as it thinks about these issues.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Jimmy and Jacob

We had the opportunity to sit down with Lauren Lawson who grew up living with various family members and then eventually went into the foster care system at age 12. Lauren shares her story and offers insight into some of the issues and behaviors that might exist in adolescents within the foster care system. Now a foster mom, she shares wise guidance that encourages us to consider what might be behind some of the behaviors of the children in our families.

We are then joined by Ryan North, the Executive Director of Tapestry, the Adoption and Foster Care Ministry of Irving Bible Church and leader of Empowered to Connect. Ryan and his wife Kayla train others from around the country to help couples tend to the hearts of children from hard places. In this episode, Ryan offers practical advice for foster parents on how they can learn to address and meet the needs that sometimes occur beneath the behaviors.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Lauren

Josh Shipp grew up in foster care and made it his mission to get kicked out of every home he was placed in  . . . until he finally met his match.  In this episode, Josh shares the amazing story of his ploy to get kicked out of foster homes and tells about the man who wouldn’t give up on him.  Now a teen expert and national speaker, Josh carries the vital message that every kid is one caring adult away from being success story. 

Also, we catch up with Foster Movement Podcast co-host Diego Fuller who has been traveling the country this summer sharing his amazing story and his music with kids in foster care through Royal Family KIDS Camps.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Josh

Kevin Bueker lived in a middle-upper class family in a nice home, but behind the pristine doors of this ideal world, he was suffering unimaginable physical and emotional abuse.  By the time he was in the eighth grade, Kevin found himself kicked out of his home and on the streets wandering his neighborhood.  He would sleep at night in the tube slide at the neighborhood park . . . until a friend and his mom stepped in.  Kevin’s amazing journey led him to his faith and to stepping into the lives of kids who have experienced the same things he has.

We then hear from Pr. Robert Gelinas, whose church in Colorado was confronted with the reality of hundreds of kids waiting for homes.  They decided they could no longer stand by and do nothing.  Pr. Gelinas’ powerful message reminds us of where to look when we can no longer look away.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Kevin

When Diego Fuller arrived at the home of Bishop Aaron Blake and his wife Mary, he heard a message that he hadn’t heard before.  They told him when he arrived that he was engrafted and that nothing could separate their love from him.  He didn’t fully understand what that meant.  In fact, the words “I love you” meant something completely different to him because of all the abuse and neglect he had experienced at the hands of those who told him “I love you.”  In this episode you will learn about the devastating event that helped Diego to understand the true meaning of love for the first time. You will hear him describe how that discovery changed his life.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Diego

When Alex Lyons entered foster care at 8-years-old he was placed with a Presbyterian choir director named Helen who was in her late 50s or early 60s.  Alex loved it there.  Helen was everything you’d ever want a foster parent to be.   

Alex was only in Helen’s home for about 18 months.  But her impact on him during that time was profound.  Alex is now married, has kids and is on staff at a church.  He shared, “Though I was only with her for about 18 months, she made an impact on me. I view motherhood really through her lens. She sung songs to me that I now sing to my daughter and my unborn child.”

Many people have the desire to help kids and families in foster care in various ways but wonder if they really have enough to offer to make a significant difference.  So many of us feel limited by time and space and resources.  This episode explores the impact that each of us can make even amidst these limitations.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Alex

In this episode, Crystal Williams discusses the heartbreak she experienced when she lost her baby brother and when she entered foster care. At the age of six, Crystal chose to express her feelings about losing her baby brother in a poem. She shares her poem in today’s episode and explains how poetry has continued to serve as an outlet for her. You’ll then hear her desire for today’s youth to discover their own gifts and use them for good. Crystal also shares how adults positively transformed her experience in foster care and encouraged her to use her gifts to follow her dreams. As she chooses to come alongside today’s youth, Crystal is able to offer insight into effective ways to empower youth in foster care.
 
We are then joined by Tom Lukasik. Tom brings his experience as a foster dad into his role as Vice President of Community Engagement at 4Kids of South Florida. Through the years, he and his wife, Linda, have fostered over 50 children and interacted with countless other children in and out of foster care. In this episode, he shares useful tips for empowering kids in foster care every day and into the future.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Crystal

In this episode, our youngest guest, Trent Taylor, sits down to discuss his life before, during, and after foster care. Trent entered foster care at the age of four and was placed with more than five different homes until being adopted at age nine. He shares with us the difficulty in transitioning frequently, but the changes that came when one set of foster parents chose to express their love and care for Trent with consistent words and actions. Now, Trent encourages both crowds and readers (he wrote a book!) to look beyond the behavior of youth in foster care, and he aspires to help youth navigate their trauma.

After Trent, you will hear from Robbie Seay, a worship pastor and foster dad. Through his interview, you will notice his desire for people to be moved by the Spirit of God before engaging with foster care and the importance of the Spirit when engaging with foster youth. Robbie then shares with us the hopes he has for his children as they grow and the practical ways he communicates his love and God’s love with them. 

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Trent

This episode has a few fun elements to it! First, Jaimie Lynn Moore, a former foster youth, and her mom share the story of Jaimie’s unique adoption at age 19. Then, you will listen to Jaimie’s interview from CAFO’s 2018 Summit. As Jaimie bravely shares her story in front of a live audience, you will hear some of the traumatic things she experienced before and during foster care, and what aging out of the foster care system was like for her.  Jaimie is honest about the fear of constant displacement she began to carry with her and her distrust of people’s promises. She shares the insight she’s gained since and how some of her life shifted after her adoption.

Then, we are joined by Dr. Sharen Ford. Dr. Ford brings her years of experience in foster care to the interview as she explains the importance of promises and consistent, permanent influences in the lives of foster youth. She helps us to understand not only why these influences are important, but a few ways to establish these relationships with foster youth. Dr. Ford also emphasizes how vital it is to seek God’s leading and wisdom when engaging with foster youth.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Jaimie

In this episode, Tyrone Flowers sits down with us and shares his story of growing up. Tyrone’s early life was full of hardship as he entered foster care at the age of seven and was moved between four different foster care placements in his early years. In high school, Tyrone repeatedly heard the message that he would fail in life and end up dead or in jail. He discusses with us the impact those words had on his life and how he wants to alter those messages for youth today. Another tragedy struck Tyrone later in life. Listen how he shares how he lived through that tragedy and learned about forgiveness. From Tyrone’s story, we can gain tremendous insight into foster care and living life with hope. 

Then, we are joined by seven different guests. Inspired by Tyrone’s belief that we can all be a piece in the puzzle of a foster child’s life, we will listen to seven different individuals who each play a different role in the foster care journey. As they share, consider which role you may identify with and which piece of the puzzle you may be!

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Tyrone

In this episode, Chardonnay Rosa shares with us the stories and experiences that shaped her childhood. She describes how her early life was filled with chaos, uncertainty, and hurt. When Chardonnay was 14, she learned, through the words of others, that she had a voice regarding her circumstances and she chose to call CPS and enter foster care. From a young age, Chardonnay always had a sense that her life would be different. She clung to that hope until a church, and the message it shared with her, helped to make that hope a reality. Listen with us as Chardonnay shares about the hardship she endured, but the hope that brought her through those difficult moments.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Chardonnay

Calli Crowder entered foster care at the age of thirteen along with her three sisters. Calli shares why she was placed in care, her relationship with her mother and with her foster parents, and the events that shaped her time in the system. Having experienced injustice, Calli now uses her voice and her story to advocate for justice for kids in foster care. We hear what Calli does now and how she has experienced God throughout her life. 

Then, to kick-off our Foster Journey series, Jason Johnson, foster and adoptive dad and the Director of the National Church Ministry Initiative for CAFO, joins us to discuss where the Foster Journey begins. He addresses our hearts, our relationships, and the first steps in the foster care journey. Jason provides both great theology and practical advice for anyone just beginning to consider foster care for the first time.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Calli

Joe Rogers was the child of an immigrant and eventually entered Foster Care at the age of twelve. He found love and stability. Listen to Joe share about his experiences with both chaos and ownership throughout his time during and after foster care. He shares with listeners the impact that his foster mother had on him and the changes that happened in his heart and his life because of her actions.

Then, to continue our Foster Care Journey, a foster and adoptive mom, Trisha Weber, shares with us some common motivations that she has seen in the foster care world, in the church, and beyond. She reminds us of what is most important and gives some practical tips about transforming expectations.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Annie Hernandez entered Foster Care at the age of ten and experienced a variety of placements, including a group home. Listen to Annie talk about her experience in different environments and reflect on how her experiences shaped her. Annie speaks with perspective and maturity as she shares about her interactions with her foster mother and how their relationship shifted over the years. 

Then, to continue our Foster Care Journey, a foster and adoptive couple, Frantz and Stephanie Guignard, share about the intentional decisions they made over the years that impacted both their biological children and eventually their foster and adoptive children. The Guignards remind us of the importance of listening to our children and to the Lord.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Annie

Listen to Veronica as she shares about her life caring for her six younger siblings at the age of thirteen… until her life drastically changed on her 14th birthday. Her mother went on the run with Veronica and her siblings, living in a tent and barely surviving, until the Department of Social Services removed them from their mother’s care. For the next few years she experienced kinship care, various foster families, potential adoptive families, and other placements that had a profound impact on her.

Veronica had various people who supported her and gave her a voice. From her foster mother to her Guardian Ad Litem. But Veronica’s life was still filled with uncertainty and struggles, often her only comfort found by sleeping in the same room as her younger brother. She fought hard for her and her brother to be adopted together, but they continued to face challenges that threatened Veronica’s hopes. 

Join us in listening to Veronica share openly and honestly about the struggles found within foster care, the significance of giving children in foster care a voice, and ultimately the unconditional love of a forever family. 

Then, listen as Jailynn Smiley shares some practical tips about the process and paperwork that comes with foster care and adoption. She answers some of the biggest questions and concerns, such as how clean your house actually needs to be before a home visit, and how to survive the sometimes overwhelming paperwork. Jailynn brings over 20 years of experience to the conversation and her words will equip anyone with the tools they need to more efficiently and peacefully navigate the logistics of engaging in foster care.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Veronica

Listen as Joanna shares the heartbreaking details of losing her mother and the events that led her to foster care at the age of three. Over the years Joanna lived in group homes, with various foster families, and sometimes her biological family. Through each of the more than six placements she had, Joanna was impacted by each of these placements and unfortunately had a few traumatic experiences that profoundly affected her.

Joanna held onto hope that one day she would be able to be reunited with her father and live with him. She shares with us the journey of searching for her father and how that process changed things for her. Her story is a powerful testament to her determination to overcome trauma and hardship. 

Then listen with us as Kayla shares some practical tips for parenting children from hard places. She acknowledges the trauma that children carry with them into homes and offers advice and stories to guide caregivers. Kayla brings more than 10 years of fostering and parenting experience to the conversation. Her words offer encouragement to those who are parenting children touched by foster care.

Visit MoreThanEnoughTogether.org/freedownload to access the companion PDF to this series--“Seven Insights about Foster Care from Those Who’ve Been There”--and share these types of insights with others in your community.

Joanna

The words "not enough" are heard every day in our nation's foster care system. The More Than Enough Podcast connects you to people, ideas, and tools that will help you and your community work together to fill the biggest gaps in caring for children and families where you live. Together, you can move from "not enough" to "more than enough."

A Special Introduction to the More Than Enough Podcast

The limited-series Foster Movement Podcast connects you to the voices who know the world of foster care best: former foster youth. Their insights will encourage and challenge you, helping you effectively serve children and families where you live. For ongoing episodes highlighting people, ideas, and tools that will help you fill the biggest gaps in foster care where you live, subscribe to the More Than Enough Podcast.

Foster Movement Podcast

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