Fostering Change

As part of our National Adoption Awareness Month series, this week’s podcast features author and foster care adoption advocate Marcy Bursac. Marcy adopted her two children from foster care and just released a book, The Forgotten Adoption Option, which serves as a guide to adopting from foster care. Marcy talks about why she decided to adopt from foster care, how she met her children, and how they are thriving despite all of the trauma they experienced with their birth parents.The Forgotten Adoption Option focuses on both making the decision to adopt from foster care and how to navigate the system and get through the process. She explains how adopting from foster care is much more affordable and can take less time than waiting to adopt an infant both internationally and domestically. Pre-order The Forgotten Adoption Option:Amazon - Ships January 1, 2021Barnes & Noble - Ships January 1, 2021Google Play - AudiobookChirp - AudiobookKobo - AudiobookScribd - AudiobookFollow Marcy on her Facebook page.Shop our Comfort Cases "Gifts That Give Back" store to get your BE A GOOD HUMAN merchandise. For every gift purchased, an item will be given to a child in foster care. www.comfortcases.org/shop.🎥 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.

This week we welcome Alexis and Justin Black back to the Fostering Change podcast. Alexis and Justin are newlyweds who both grew up in foster care. In their first novel, Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat the Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness, and Love, Alexis and Justin reveal how they overcame traumatic childhoods and developed a healthy relationship. Listen as they share some details about writing the book and how they hope it will help others. Alexis also talks about being adopted at the age of 26 and why it was so important that her foster parents become her legal parents years after she “aged out” of the foster care system.To learn more about Comfort Cases and our mission, visit www.comfortcases.org.Get your BE A GOOD HUMAN merch in our Gifts That Give Back shop - www.comfortcases.org/shop - for every gift purchased, an item will be given to a child in foster care.Thank you for listening and please be sure to leave us a review!🎥 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.

November is National Adoption Awareness Month and we are looking forward to featuring guests with various adoption experiences. Today Rob and Dana welcome April Dinwoodie, a writer, coach, consultant, and host of the Born In June, Raised In April podcast. As a woman of color who was adopted into a white family, April offers her insight into the complexities of transracial adoption. Learn more about April at www.aprildinwoodie.com.Shop our Comfort Cases Gifts That Give Back Shop to get your BE A GOOD HUMAN merch! Every purchase gives an item to a child in foster care. www.comfortcases.org/shop🎥 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.

This week Rob and Dana talk to foster care advocate and former pro-football player Gaelin Elmore. First removed from his parents’ home at 10 months old, Gaelin spent several years in and out of foster care. When he was 16, his high school football coach became his legal guardian. He earned a scholarship to play football in college and in 2017 he signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. After playing one season, he decided to retire when he realized that a career in the NFL just wasn’t right for him.Listen as Gaelin talks about his childhood, his emotional journey during his time with the NFL, what he’s doing now to help children in foster care, and his hopes 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.

On this week’s Fostering Change podcast, Rob and Dana talk to author and foster care survivor Sasha Martin. Sasha spent the first ten years of her life going back and forth between living with her mom and living in various foster homes. When she was 10 years old, she went to live with a family friend who became her permanent guardian. A few years later, they moved to Paris and then Luxemburg. Years later and after becoming a mother herself, Sasha discovered a love for cooking and set a goal to make a meal from every country in the world. She documented her recipes and stories and National Geographic published her book, Life from Scratch, in 2015. Listen as Sasha talks about her experiences in foster care, suffering tragic losses in her life, and how she found peace and belonging through a love of cooking.🎥 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.

On this week’s Fostering Change podcast, Rob and Dana talk to Foster Care Institute founder John DeGarmo. As a foster and adoptive father, author, and industry consultant, John offers his insight on a number of child welfare issues. He created the Foster Care Institute after experiencing frustration with the system and lack of support as a foster parent. His training programs are used by child welfare agencies all over the country to educate both staff and foster parents.John and his wife have been foster parents to 60 children over the last 20 years. In his 2019 TedXTalk, he tells the story of one of those children whom the system failed. John also talks about the importance of foster parent support groups and how he deals with the heartbreak and stress of caring for children who have experienced trauma. 🎥 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.

This week Rob and Dana talk to foster care survivor, writer, and advocate Quay Bowen. Quay is sharing her story on her website in the hopes of writing a book. She talks about her life growing up, her relationship with her birth family, and how poorly she was treated by the Atlanta 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.

On this episode of Fostering Change, Rob and Dana talk to Foster Boy creator and attorney Jay Paul Deratany. Set to be released this weekend, Foster Boy tells the story of a teenage boy who was failed by the foster care system. Combining his passion for acting, writing, and advocating for children in foster care, Jay Paul wrote this film in the hopes of inspiring people to take action to change the system. Through his work as a personal injury attorney, Jay Paul has seen the devastating impact of the foster care system on children it is supposed to care for. He talks about how the for-profit foster care agencies make money on the backs of children and shares some stories about children he has represented. 🎥 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.

On this week's Fostering Change podcast, Rob and Dana talk to Connect Our Kids founders Jennifer Jacobs and Jessica Stern. Connect Our Kids is a website that helps child welfare agencies find and track family connection and data for children in the foster care system. Jennifer and Jessica have used their backgrounds in government, homeland security, and communications to create a unique program that significantly enhances the ability for social workers to find family members and the best possible placements for kids in care. Listen as they tell their stories and share how Connect Our Kids works.🎥 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 high school student Joe Davis about why he chose Comfort Cases for his Eagle Scout project. We are inspired every day by the number of kids of all ages who are doing big things to support our mission to help other children. Joe is not only passionate about collecting donations for Comfort Cases as part of his project, but he is also focused on the importance of spreading awareness about the needs 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 to married couple Alexis Lenderman-Black and Justin Black. Both Alexis and Justin spent time in foster care and are now advocates for children in the system. They are getting ready to release their first book, Redefining Normal, in November. The book is about how they overcame difficult childhoods and learned how to have a healthy relationship with each other. Listen as they share their stories and talk about their lives growing up, how they met, and what to expect from their upcoming book.🎥 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.

On this week’s episode of Fostering Change, Rob and Dana welcome Keri Richmond, the founder of Foster Strong. Keri previously told her story on Episode 40 of the podcast, and now she is sharing information about the organization she is building with other former foster youth. Foster Strong is about embracing the resilience of men and women who grew up in foster care and ending the stigma about children in the 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 week's episode, Rob and Dana welcome the newest member of the Scheer family, 19-year-old Alex. Rob and Alex share the story of how they met and what life is like as a family of 7. Alex also talks about his struggles in foster care and what got him through the most difficult times in his life.🎥 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.

On this episode, Rob and Dana talk to Ivymarie Washington about her journey in foster care and how she became a part of the Foster Strong organization. Ivy and her older brother were removed from their parents’ home when she was 6 years old. They were placed in a children’s home for the maximum 180 days and were then placed in a foster home when she was 7. She remained in that foster home until she aged out of care at the age of 18.She currently works as a foster care and adoption specialist at the agency that placed her when she was in 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 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.