2025 Aging Out Podcasts
Other
Preparing Foster Youth for Adulting
Episode 105: Interview with Alissa Jecklin with Good Samaritan Boys Ranch (Springfield, MO)
In this March 24, 2025 episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Alissa Jecklin, Director of Transitional Living with Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in Springfield, Missouri. Alissa shared how she discovered the needs of youth in foster care through a summer job while in college. She chose to focus her career helping these youth. At Good Samaritan, she leads a transitional housing program that builds partnerships with community landlords in order to help youth prepare for adulthood.
Resources mentioned during podcast:
Good Samaritan
MO State University Master’s in Social Work
MO Mentoring Partnership
HiSet Prep
Episode 104: Interview with Deana Mendez with Finally Family Homes (Santa Clarita, CA)
In this March 12, 2025 episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Deana Mendez, Case Manager at Finally Family Homes in Santa Clarita, California. Deana told about her journey to working at this organization and explained about the host home program that provides housing for 18 to 25 year old former foster youth with community members in the Santa Clarita area. She also shared about their Oasis Center – a place for youth to get resources and build relationships, and Life Launch – their life skills program open to any youth in need.
Resources mentioned during podcast:
Finally Family Homes
LA Mission College Guardian Scholars
California State Northridge Resilient Scholars
Episode 103: Interview with Prince George’s County CASA (Riverdale, MD)
In this February 11, 2025 episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Yolanda Johnson, Executive Director, and Cheryl Richards, Case Supervisor for Transition-Aged Youth, for the Prince George’s County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Riverdale, Maryland. Yolanda and Cheryl shared their own backgrounds and an overview of their CASA organization, which has been around for 25 years. While they serve as advocates for foster youth at all ages, they also have services and funding that support Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) specific to education, permanency, and emergent issues.
Resources mentioned during podcast:
Episode 102: Interview with Stephanie Rampone from DFW Angels (Dallas, TX)
In this January 19, 2025 episode, Lynn Tonini interviews Stephanie Rampone, Director of Development for the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Angels in Dallas, TX. Stephanie shared her unexpected journey from the fashion industry to working with youth in foster care. She also described the three primary areas of service of her fast growing organization: 1) intentional giving, 2) relationship building, and 3) mentorship. Their youth work on 10 specific developmental milestones and 2-3 individual goals with their mentors.
Resources mentioned during podcast:
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Angels
National Angels Organization
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
The Dream House