Kelly and Tracie Ward were recent guests on the Foster Friendly Podcast. The Wards are a compassionate and visionary couple deeply committed to fostering and adoption and have opened their hearts and home to numerous children. In the past two years…
In a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Kate Angelo shared about her journey in foster care and lessons and insights she’s learned along the way. She faced a tumultuous childhood filled with challenges that many would find overwhelming and…
In a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, Danny and Ashley Smith shared their journey engaging foster care and reflected on insights learned along the way. Interestingly, their fostering journey began not with a calling, but with practicality—a job…
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.–Helen Keller This powerful quote by Keller could well describe the life of Ariana Rodriguez. Ariana…
A recent episode of The Foster Friendly Podcast featured a lively conversation around America’s Kids Belong’s new and exciting initiative called “Fostering Front Door.” Indiana Kids Belong State Manager, Laura Mobley joined the podcast and shared the vision behind this…
“I stepped out of my comfort zone and just started serving in whatever ways were needed—big or small,” she recalls. “I’ve learned to listen more closely, to show up even when I’m not sure what to say, and to recognize that sometimes the most meaningful support is simply being present, offering a prayer, or just sitting with someone.”
As America’s Kids Belong embarks on our second decade of working to dramatically improve the experiences and outcomes for kids and families involved in foster care, we long for the day when foster care is no longer needed, But as…
“When the elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers.” African Proverb Brian Mavis expounded on this quote in a recent episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast: “When the big sectors, when they’re not cooperating with each other and they’re not…
As America’s Kids Belong celebrates its 10th year anniversary, we look back at this post from Co-Founder and Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, Brian Mavis. Brian’s encounter with Cindy would become a catalyzing moment that helped inspire the start of…
How Hydration Plays into Behavior I first heard of TBRI® (Trust Based Relational Intervention) about 14 years ago. I remember going to my first conference where I learned about the three principles: connecting, empowering, and correcting. I left that conference…
We are soon approaching one year since the launch of The Foster Friendly Podcast. While that is something we’re proud of as a new platform to help inspire, resource, and equip folks nationwide–we’re celebrating something much bigger this month at…
We envision seeing gains in recruited and better supported foster families giving much needed stability to kids in foster care whose lives are upended in uncertainty as they await unknown outcomes with their birth families. We envision creating a culture…
