Fostering Change

In this week’s episode, Rob and Dana talk to Comfort Cases Ambassador Bryanna Williams. Bryanna talks about her role as a Comfort Cases Ambassador and why she has such a passion for children in foster care. She is the reigning Mrs. Tri-State All-Star United States and promotes both Comfort Cases and Ronald McDonald House as part of her pageant platform. Bryanna is a special education teacher at a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth and shares some of the experiences of the children and teens she works with.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Smirna Savino. Smirna told some of her story at our Comfort Cases Gala in 2018 and shares more with us on this podcast. She is one of 14 children, all of whom were removed from their mother and separated. Smirna was the only one to live with family for a few years, she was sent to live with her aunt and uncle. At the age of 5, she went into foster care. She reunited with her birth mother when she was 38 years old. One of her biological sisters is Carolyn Aronson whom we spoke with in Episode 41.Smirna talks about life with her aunt and uncle, her foster family, and what it was like to be reunited with her mother and siblings as an adult.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to social worker and Foster Strong digital manager Lino Martinez. Lino talks about his experience in foster care and reflects on how he persevered through the many challenges that faced him early in his life. Lino is also part of Foster Strong, an organization with a mission to end the stigma about youth in foster care and to show them that a successful future is possible.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we shift focus from foster care to fatherhood and welcome Robert Selby, one of the dads featured in the DADS documentary on Apple TV. Through their participation in the film, Rob Scheer and Robert have become friends. We wanted to hear more about Robert’s story, his relationship with his son and his son’s mother, and what’s next for him and his amazing family.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Matt Anderson, the VP of Programs and Business Development for the Children's Home Society of North Carolina. Matt talks about his role at The Children's Home Society and how the organization has evolved since it's inception 120 years ago. Matt is also the producer of the documentary "From Place to Place" which follows 3 young adults who aged out of foster care. The 2011 film won multiple awards and sparked the conversation with lawmakers that led to the introduction of the Family First Act.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Dan Shufelt, CEO of Arizona Helping Hands. Arizona Helping Hands supports thousands of foster families throughout the state of Arizona. They provide everything from cribs and diapers to birthday gifts and bicycles. So far in 2020, they have distributed over 1,100 beds to foster parents. They also supply potential foster parents with items they need to pass the foster parent licensing inspection.There are over 14,000 children in foster care in the state of Arizona and Dan talks about the positive impact his organization has had on the child welfare system. He also explains how Arizona Helping Hands receives funding directly from the state taxpayers as part of a program passed into law in 2013.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to mom and author Keri Vellis. Keri’s incredible story was recently featured in People Magazine. When she became a foster mom, Keri tried to find children’s books about being in foster care and she realized there wasn’t much out there. She decided to write a book herself… and a few years later she wrote another one.Keri talks about what inspired her to be a foster parent, how she advocates for her special needs son, and how she educates her community about foster care.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome LaTasha Watts, founder of The Purple Project, back to the podcast. LaTasha grew up in foster care and now hosts an annual conference for former youth in foster care. She is also and advocate for children in foster care. This week we wanted to shift focus to the larger issue facing our country right now - systemic racism and injustice. LaTasha talks about how she and her family have experienced racism and how she believes we can work towards making a change. Rob also shares some of the instances in which he's had to deal with racism as a father of four black children.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Jamerika Haynes about her experience in foster care and how it shaped her into becoming an advocate for children in the system. She is a journalist and the reigning Ms. Evergreen State 2020, and she uses her platforms to educate others about the challenges facing children in foster care. Listen as they discuss poverty and racial bias in the child welfare system and why it is important to support families in order to prevent children from being removed.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to It’s a 10 Haircare founder and CEO Carolyn Aronson. When she was an infant, Carolyn and her 11 siblings were removed from their mother’s home and placed in foster care. At the age of 2, she and one of her biological brothers were adopted into a loving family. At 26, she set out on a mission to find her biological family and 9 months later they met. Caroyln has been a big supporter of Comfort Cases for the last several years and has made philanthropy a part of her company’s mission.Listen as Caroyln tells her story about being taken from her home, adopted, growing up as a Puerto Rican girl with a white family, and what it was like to meet her biological mother and siblings after over 25 years.She also talks about why it’s so important to give back and how It’s a 10 has been helping during the COVID-19 crisis.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to child welfare advocate Keri Richmond. Keri spent her early childhood in foster care, was adopted into an abusive home, and ended up depending on a friend's family for support during her teenage years. She often meets with lawmakers on Capitol Hill and talks about why it's been difficult to make changes within the system. She also talks about what people can do to make a difference for children in foster care in their communities.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Terrica Smith about her journey from foster care to becoming a real estate developer now investing in her own community. Terrica was placed in foster care at the age of 8 when her grandmother passed away. She moved from foster home to foster home, and then to group homes, often running away to escape abusive situations. At 17, she was homeless and pregnant, and found out she had been emancipated from the foster care system. She was able to seek help from Catholic Charities, ended up going to school, and she is now a successful business woman. Listen as she talks about overcoming all of the obstacles in her life and her plans for the future.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk with Whitney GIlliard about how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted youth aging out of foster care. Whitney is the founder of Gilliard & Co, a nonprofit that provides mentoring and wrap-around support for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. She talks about the various things she’s been helping kids in her program deal with and how the community has rallied together to help. For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome author and motivational speaker Leigh Anne Tuohy. As the mother of an adopted son from foster care who went on to become a Super Bowl champion, Leigh Anne knows first-hand how the loving support of a family can change a child’s life. The story of her son Michael Oher and the Tuohy family was depicted in the 2009 movie “The Blind Side”. Sandra Bullock won her first Academy Award for her portrayal of Leigh Anne in the film.Listen as Leigh Anne shares her insight into what we as individuals, and together as a community, can do to improve the lives of children in foster care.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk with Noah Ehlert about the completion of his Discover Your Path Tour. In February, Noah set out on a mission to ride his bike from San Diego to Florida, visiting youth in foster care group homes along the way. Having spent much of his childhood in and out of foster care and group homes, Noah found solace and a sense of peace when a neighbor gave him a bike... Years later he decided to inspire kids currently in foster care by riding his bike across the southern part of the country while stopping to mentor and bring hope to kids facing an uncertain future. Noah talks about what he learned on his journey and shares stories of some of the young people he met.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk with founder and CEO of The Handbag Awards, Emily Blumenthal. Emily heard Rob’s story a few years ago and was so moved by it, she invited him to speak at her annual event for handbag designers in New York City. Not only is Emily a successful businesswoman, she also prioritizes giving back and loves finding creative ways to use her connections and influence to encourage other companies to do the same. Read more at comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to college student Fabian Tolan about his foster care journey. Fabian is a journalist and musician currently studying at a college in California. He shares his story growing up in and out of the system, how he stays focused on his future, and what he wants the public to know about life in foster care.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome child welfare advocate Maureen Flatley back to the podcast. So many aspects of the foster care system have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis as many resources have been limited or shut down completely. In addition, former foster youth who have aged out and are now in college have been forced into shelters as dorms have closed down. For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Alia Innovations founder Dr. Amelia Franck Meyer. Alia is working to reform the child welfare system with a focus on keeping families together. She talks about how there is no evidence to show that removing children from their biological families is beneficial and how fostering the family is a lot more effective for positive outcomes. Please visit comfortcases.org/podcast for more info.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana check in with Noah Ehlert as he hits the half way point of his Discover Your Path Tour. Noah is riding his bike from San Diego, CA to St. Petersburg, FL, visiting group homes along the way to inspire and mentor teens in foster care. Noah gets emotional as he talks about what this tour has meant to him and how he knows he’s been having an impact on the youth he’s spoken to throughout his journey.For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome author and foster care advocate Shenandoah Chefalo. Shen talks about the process of writing her book “Garbage Bag Suitcase” and how she was able to open up about her childhood spent in foster care. She also talks about the fact that approximately 4,600 children go missing from foster care every year and for the most part, nobody tries to find them. 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to foster mom and former CASA Brittany Burcham. A CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate assigned to a child in foster care. Brittany does an amazing job explaining what it’s like to be a CASA and what a fulfilling experience it was for her. If you want to help children in foster care but you can’t be a foster parent, becoming a CASA could be right for you.Brittany is now a foster mom focused on caring for and mentoring teenage girls. For more info please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk about the upcoming 6th Annual Comfort Cases Gala. The Gala is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and our supporters from all across the country can help make it a success - even if you don’t live in the DC area!For more info visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Jessica and Brittany about their journey to becoming foster parents. As they await their first placement, Jess and Britt share why they decided to become foster parents, their hopes and fears about being new moms, and how they plan to deal with the "hard stuff" that comes with parenting children who have experienced trauma. Please visit comfortcases.org/podcast to learn more.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob checks in with Noah Ehlert as he prepares to begin his “Discover Your Path” bike tour across the country. Noah spent time in foster care and lived in a group home when he was 11 years old. Now an adult with children of his own, Noah decided he wanted to share his story with kids currently in the system in the hopes of showing them that there is light on the other side of their current struggles.Read more at ComfortCases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to fellow advocates Whitney Gilliard and Kimberly Raff about the “give your used suitcases to foster kids” post that recently went viral. While we all appreciate the attention to the horrible practice of giving trash bags to children in foster care, and we believe it was shared with the best of intentions, we also feel a responsibility to educate the public about why it’s important to give new items to youth in foster care.Read more at comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When you give to Comfort Cases, you're not just supporting our mission to eliminate the use of trash bags in the foster care system, you are also supporting the advocacy work we do to bring about real change. Rob Scheer is a leading advocate for youth in foster care. He knows first-hand what it feels like to struggle with feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and depression. He travels the country to share his story and works tirelessly to educate policymakers and the public about the experiences of children in the system.In this episode, Rob and Dana talk about some of the ways in which Comfort Cases is making change, whether it’s speaking about foster care to a crowd of many or making an impact on one child in the system.Rob also shares how the work of running this charity can sometimes weigh heavy on his heart, and he reads a touching message that he received at just the right time. You’ll also hear about what our biggest expense is, how many agencies are currently waiting to receive Comfort Cases, and some ways in which you can help.Correction: At the beginning of the podcast, Dana mentions that we gave over 95,000 Comfort Cases and Comfort XL last year. She misspoke - that is the total since we were founded in 2013. In 2019, we distributed over 38,000 Comfort Cases and Comfort XL to children in foster care.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Kate Davenport, LCSW-C. Kate is a foster parent recruiter and trainer in Montgomery County, Maryland. She talks about how to become a foster parent, what some of the requirements are, and she answers questions about the process.For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana close out 2019 with a look ahead at 2020. They talk about 3 new items that will be added to Comfort Cases beginning in January. They also discuss all of the ways supporters near and far can help Comfort Cases. From becoming a Social Media Ambassador, to hosting a donation drive, volunteering at our center, or taking a second to set up an Amazon Smile account, everyone can do something to make a difference in the lives of children in foster care.For more info on the things discussed in this episode, visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Monica Pantoja, Executive Director of the Nsoro Foundation. The Nsoro Foundation provides scholarships and other services to former youth in foster care who aged out of the system. They currently have 268 students enrolled in their program attending colleges in 31 states. The Nsoro Foundation believes that education is the great equalizer and that youth who have aged out of foster care just need a support system to help them thrive and get a college education. Listen as Monica tells the inspiring story of how the foundation came to be, the services they provide, and how successful their students have been. For more visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to author, speaker, and foster care advocate LaTasha Watts. LaTasha is the founder of The Purple Project, a yearly conference that brings teens in foster care together for workshops and to share their experiences. LaTasha spent most of her childhood in foster care, suffered horrible abuse, battled cancer, and has now dedicated her life to helping youth who are aging out of foster care.For more information, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Noah Ehlert. Noah grew up in and out of the foster care system and discovered a passion for cycling when a friend's mother gave him a bicycle when he was a teenager. Now a father of three, Noah is embarking on a bike tour from San Diego, CA to St. Petersburg, FL to share his story and inspire youth in foster care. He will spend two months riding his bike across the southern part of the country, speaking at various group homes along the way... and we'll be delivering Comfort Cases to the kids at every stop. Listen as Noah tells the story of his childhood and why he is seeking to share it with kids who are currently in care.Learn more at comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Rob's husband and Comfort Cases co-founder Reece Scheer. Together, Rob and Reece talk about their foster-to-adopt journey and what made them decide to grow their forever family by adopting from the foster care system. They share some of the struggles they faced on their journey and how their four children have brought so much joy to their lives.For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Comfort Cases' Volunteer Coordinator Markia Chambers. On Friday, November 22, Comfort Cases will kick off the first ever "Marathon Packing Party" in which over 350 volunteers will come to the national center in Rockville, MD to pack 2,400 Comfort Cases in 24 hours. Markia talks about the volunteers who will come for the Marathon Packing Party as well as all of the ways in which supporters in other parts of the country can help. For more info please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Steve and Rob Anderson-McLean about their amazing adoption story. They knew they wanted to grow their family by adopting from foster care, but they didn’t plan on falling in love with 6 siblings from Ohio until they saw their photos. Steve and Rob talk about the foster-to-adopt process, what happened when they first met the kids, and what the first day as a family of 8 was like. For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Adoptions Together founder Janice Goldwater.Adoptions Together has placed nearly 8,000 children in permanent homes since it’s inception in 1990. Janice founded the organization with the idea that all children deserve a loving home regardless of their age, race, or ability, and that all stable adults who want to be parents should have the opportunity, regardless of sexual orientation or marital status. Listen as Janice explains the various ways in which Adoptions Together works to find loving homes and supports children who have experienced trauma along with their families. She also shares some success stories and her own journey as an adoptive mother.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to speaker and author Carlotta Taylor. Carlotta shares her story of growing up with an abusive father, escaping with her mother, and ending up in foster care during her teenage years. She credits the grace of God for helping her through the early years of her life and she writes about letting go of her painful past in the book, “No More Flinching: 5 Steps to Overcoming Adversity”. She is also the founder "Somebody Step In”, a non-profit that supports youth and former youth in foster care.For more info please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana welcome government relations consultant Maureen Flatley. Maureen offers her unique insight into how the system actually works on the federal and state level and where she sees the disconnect between legislation that is passed and implementation. She talks about the for-profit foster care sector, the lack of accountability, and how she believes advocacy groups can make a difference.For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.Maureen Flatley is a Boston based government relations and strategic consultant.  Best known for her expertise in government reform and oversight of adoption and child welfare her work has included advocacy for children and families in a variety of areas. Using a broad bi-partisan array of relationships on Capitol Hill she has focused her attention on the nexus between individual injustice and large-scale system reform.  In that capacity she has advised public and private agencies, corporations and non-profits, attorneys, families and children.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk about Rob's book, "A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time". Rob explains how the book came to be, the Upworthy video that started it all, and what the process of writing was like for him. He also talks about the things he's gained - and what he lost - as a result of telling his story publicly. 🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Kimberly Raff. Kimberly is the founder of Foster Alumni Mentors, an organization that provides assistance to young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. Having aged out of foster care herself, Kimberly understands the need for "wrap around services" for young adults who lack the support they need to transition into adulthood. Not only does her organization help young people with housing assistance and filling out college paperwork, they also provide emotional support and encouragement for the youth they serve.Please visit comfortcases.org/podcast for more information.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob talks about his adventures on the Amazon Prime Video show "Vacations of the Brave" and his family's appearance in the upcoming documentary film "Dads". Rob is grateful that he's been able to enjoy some amazing experiences, but for him, it's really all about bringing attention to Comfort Cases and the needs of children in the foster care system.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to mother and daughter philanthropy team Elaine and Nina Keltz. At just 5 years old, Nina helped organize a fashion show to benefit youth in foster care. Now at age 10, she volunteers for Comfort Cases among other charities. Elaine Keltz was named Mrs. Washington, DC in 2015 and has continued to use her platform to empower women to become leaders and to focus on giving back to their communities. Together they talk about empathy, kindness, and the joy that comes from helping others.For more information, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Rob and Dana talk to adoptive father and foster care advocate Barry Farmer. Barry is a single dad who adopted 3 boys out of foster care. His story is also unique because he became a foster parent at the age of 20 and he is an African American man raising three white children. Barry was raised by his grandmother and talks about kinship care as well as the challenges he's faced raising his 3 boys. His story went viral a few years back and he has been featured in multiple local and national media outlets. For more info please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Whitney Gilliard. Whitney spent her teenage years in the foster care system, mostly in group homes and juvenile detention centers, and now dedicates her time to helping youth who are aging out of care. She and her husband Maurice run a transitional housing program for 18-21 year olds to help them learn life skills and self-sufficiency. Listen as Whitney talks about the abuse she suffered as a child, where she found her strength, and how you can get involved to support her organization.Please visit comfortcases.org/podcast for more info.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Connie Going. Connie has been a social worker in Florida for 30 years and ended up adopting her two sons out from the foster care system after she made several attempts to find homes for them. Listen as she shares her story and talks about the trauma her children experienced in foster care. She also points out the many ways in which the system has failed not only the children in care, but also foster and adoptive parents. She and her boys have been featured on ABC News, CBS News, The View, and many other major media outlets. For more info, please visit comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Jill Latchana. Not only is Jill an adoptive and foster mom, she is also a foster care advocate and a member of the Comfort Cases board. Jill became a foster mom in the '90s when she was teaching in the DC public school system. She and her husband have now adopted 4 children from foster care and they are currently caring for a 5th. She explains the urgent need for foster parents in Montgomery County, MD and throughout the country and how the community can support those taking care of these vulnerable kids.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Comfort Cases Junior Ambassador and former Little Miss United States Aryonna Martin. At just 10 years old, Aryonna is teaching other children about the foster care system and inspiring them to give back to their communities. She and her mom Michelle talk about why Aryonna chose to support Comfort Cases and all the work they have done to help youth in foster care in their home state of West Virginia.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Rob and Dana talk about “the trash bag” and why it is so important for people to understand why we must eliminate them from the foster care system. Rob reflects on how he felt as a 12-year-old boy carrying his belongings in a trash bag. They read letters from agencies that have received Comfort Cases and share the impact these cases have on children in care. Rob also pulled the numbers - wait until you hear how many Comfort Cases and Comfort XLs have been sent out this year alone! We need your support to continue providing dignity and hope to youth in foster care. Please visit comfortcases.org for more info about our mission and to find out how you can help.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 2, Rob and Dana talk to foster care advocate Sonia Granados. Sonia appeared on the 4th season of the reality show "Married at First Sight" and quickly became a fan favorite as she revealed her passion for helping the homeless and youth in foster care. She currently works for a faith-based non-profit in Miami where she trains, licenses, and supports foster parents. In 2017, she hosted a podcast series in which she interviewed foster parents and former youth in foster care. Listen as she shares her thoughts about reunification, what she would like foster parents to know, and how the county in which she works has implemented some effective strategies for collaboration between birth parents and foster parents. For more info, please visit www.comfortcases.org/podcast.🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this introductory episode, Rob and Dana discuss a variety of subjects and tell listeners what they can expect in upcoming shows. They talk about the importance of educating the public about foster care, common questions about becoming foster parents, why the foster care system is shattered, and what the government is doing (and what they're not doing) for children in care. They also explain how Comfort Cases is impacting children at the border and offer some insight into how they enter the foster care system. If you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode, please email [email protected].🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube!Head over to Comfort Cases on YouTube to catch every inspiring conversation:👉 youtube.com/@comfortcases Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.