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official-mddtspeaks · 8 months

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Welcome to a compelling episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, Season Three, Episode Eleven, where we delve into the heart of a critical topic: "Building Capacity to Engage Youth." 🎙️ In this thought-provoking discussion, we are joined once again by the remarkable Deanna Jones, known as Deanna J. Speaks. Deanna's professional titles encompass her role as a Foster Care Alumni, Speaker, Author, Consultant, and part-time DIY-er. 🌟 Deanna's life journey is nothing short of inspiring. As a former foster child and teen mother of two, she belongs to the extraordinary 3% of foster youth who defy the odds and graduate from college. 📚 However, Deanna's path was not without its challenges. Early on, she received disheartening messages from various sources that tried to silence her voice, casting her aside as a mere statistical failure. But Deanna refused to accept this narrative. She recognized the need for change and took charge of her life, becoming a staunch advocate for herself, ensuring her voice would be heard. From that point forward, she cultivated unwavering resilience, transforming setbacks into stepping stones towards success. 💪 Despite the hurdles that led her to leave high school and obtain her G.E.D., Deanna's determination propelled her to achieve her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The Ohio State University. But her journey didn't stop there. She swiftly acquired her LSW (Licensed Social Worker) and dedicated over 11 years of her life to the foster care agency from which she had aged out, serving in various capacities. 🏛️ With a Master's in Public Policy and Administration, Deanna embarked on a journey of entrepreneurship. She opened multiple businesses, including a beauty store, and ventured into podcasting, all while expanding her career as a speaker and trainer, dedicating herself full-time to empowering others. 🗣️ In this captivating episode, we explore the essence of "Building Capacity to Engage Youth" with Deanna Jones. Her unique insights, experiences, and strategies highlight the significance of empowering and engaging with youth effectively. Deanna's story serves as a beacon of hope, emphasizing the importance of resilience, self-advocacy, and the limitless potential of youth engagement. 🌍 Join us for an enlightening conversation that underscores the crucial need to invest in and empower the next generation. Deanna Jones' journey is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the belief that every voice matters. 🔊 #ResilientVoicesAndBeyondPodcast #YouthEmpowerment #FosterCareAdvocate #ResilienceJourney #DeannaJSpeaks #Speaker #Author #ResilienceCoach #Consultant #EmpowerYouth #LifeSuccess #OvercomingAdversity #YouthEngagement #YouthLeadership #YouthDevelopment #YouthInclusion #YouthAdvocacy #CapacityBuilding #YouthVoice #YouthParticipation

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official-mddtspeaks · 8 months

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Welcome to an insightful and compassionate episode of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast, Season Three, Episode Ten, titled "It's okay to be vulnerable and be loved and compassionate." 🎙️ In this episode, we embark on an enlightening journey with two extraordinary advocates:Meet Kayla Powell, a Lived Experience Advocate and Consultant, who embodies the inspiring quote, "Don't become what you're trying to change."And say hello to Eltuan Dawson, an Independent contractor and JTS (Journey to Success) representative, focusing on youth and young adult mental health, community development, and engagement, living by the motto, “It’s okay to be vulnerable and be loved and compassionate.”Our conversation is driven by a profound goal: to explore how Journey to Success (JTS) advocates utilize new federal and state data to push for youth-informed policy changes that enhance outcomes for older youth in care. 📊 We begin by delving into the essence of the Journey to Success campaign, a policy advocacy movement founded on the belief that young people who have experienced foster care possess the best insights into their transition to successful adulthood and should lead the charge for federal policy reform. 🌟 The heart of this episode revolves around the groundbreaking report, "Fostering Youth Transitions 2023: State and National Data to Drive Foster Care Advocacy," published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This report presents data collected from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, shedding light on the experiences of young people aged 14–21 in foster care. We uncover key findings and alarming gaps in the systems designed to support their journey to thriving adulthood. 🏛️ Our guests passionately highlight two critical policy action recommendations: the Chafee program and Extended Foster Care. We explore how lawmakers in Congress can effectuate change in these domains, bridging the gap in educational attainment, employment, and housing, especially for young people of color. 💼 Discover the Community Conversation Guide, a powerful tool enabling advocates to facilitate data-driven community discussions using the Fostering Youth Transitions 2023 report. These conversations empower young people to voice their needs and visions for a successful transition to adulthood. 🗣️ We delve into the importance of self-care in advocacy, sharing personal examples and strategies to maintain resilience. 🌱 Find out where you can access resources related to the Journey to Success campaign, including the Community Conversation Guide and the Foster Care Advocacy report. Learn how to access foster care data specific to your state. 📈 Join us for an inspiring conversation that emphasizes the power of youth-led advocacy, data-driven change, and the compassionate journey to making a positive impact on the lives of young people in foster care. 🔊🌍 #ResilientVoicesAndBeyondPodcast #YouthAdvocacy #FosterCarePolicy #DataDrivenChange #JourneyToSuccess #KaylaPowell #EltuanDawson #MentalHealthAdvocacy #SelfCare #YouthEmpowerment #FosterCareOutcomes #ChafeeProgram #ExtendedFosterCare #CommunityConversationGuide #AnnieECaseyFoundation

#annieecaseyfoundation #chafeeprogram #communityconversationguide #datadrivenchange #eltuandawson #extendedfostercare #fostercareoutcomes #fostercarepolicy #journeytosuccess #kaylapowell #mentalhealthadvocacy #resilientvoicesandbeyondpodcas #selfcare #youthadvocacy #youthempowerment

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official-mddtspeaks · 8 months

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Welcome back to the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast for Season Three, Episode Nine, featuring the remarkable returning guest, Isabel Rodriguez! 🎙️ Isabel is not just a graduate of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, she's a powerhouse of advocacy and change. Her journey since her last appearance on our podcast is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 🌟 Isabel is the author of "What If Our Letters Were Right," a Congressional Policy Report on Sibling Separation, a testament to her dedication to improving the lives of children in foster care. 📚 But what makes this episode particularly special is that just three days ago, Isabel aged out of foster care. Her perspective as a former foster youth intern with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and an intern with the United States Senate gives her insights that are both unique and invaluable. 🏛️ Isabel's commitment to creating a better future for youth in care is exemplified through her authorship of co-legislation in the Senate aimed at protecting sibling relationships, a fundamental aspect of stability and support for many in the foster care system. 📜 Currently, Isabel is pursuing her Masters in Public Administration, a testament to her dedication to public service and her unwavering advocacy. 🎓 In this episode, titled "The true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children," quoting the wisdom of Nelson Mandela, we delve into Isabel's journey, her passionate advocacy for sibling relationships, and her unique insights into the foster care system. 🌍 Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that unveils the challenges and opportunities within the child welfare system, and explores the profound impact of supporting sibling connections. Isabel's story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the enduring power of advocating for change. 🎧 #ResilientVoicesAndBeyondPodcast #FosterCareAdvocacy #SiblingRelationships #YouthInCare #AdvocacyJourney #IsabelRodriguez

#advocacyjourney #fostercareadvocacy #isabelrodriguez #resilientvoicesandbeyondpodcas #siblingrelationships #youthincare

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official-mddtspeaks · 8 months

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Welcome to Season Three, Episode Eight of the Resilient Voices & Beyond Podcast! In this thought-provoking installment, we delve into the remarkable journey of Grace Yung Foster, the Founder & CEO of The Inclusion Initiative. Titled "Model Minority," this episode takes us on a profound exploration of Grace's life and mission. Grace's story is a testament to resilience and identity. Born in South Korea and orphaned at a tender age, she embarked on a challenging path, immigrating to the United States at five. Plunged into the foster care system, Grace eventually found her forever family among a diverse group of adopted and foster children, nurtured by white parents. But her story doesn't stop there. Grace's experiences as an immigrant, person of color in a predominantly white community, and a transracial adoptee shaped her journey towards self-acceptance. She spent over 25 years in pursuit of "white belonging," a quest that led to deep self-reflection and a transformative realization. Now, Grace proudly embraces her identity as an Asian American, a transracial adoptee, and a former foster youth. She's on a mission to create inclusion and equity for these communities through The Inclusion Initiative. This remarkable platform was born from Grace's own struggles in the professional world. Despite her hard work and excellence, she faced unique hurdles as a woman of color and a transracial adoptee. The opportunity gap she encountered kept her professionally behind her peers, affecting her wealth-building, family aspirations, and overall life goals. The Inclusion Initiative stands as a beacon of hope and support, specifically designed for transracial adoptees and former foster youth. Their mission is to bridge the professional opportunity gap that often plagues these communities due to the absence of established networks. In the upcoming launch of their platform, expect to find:

Professional Networking

Professional Mentorship

Career Advancement Opportunities

Powerful Media and Storytelling that sheds light on these communities' experiences

Did you know that there are over 1.2 million transracial adoptees in the US? Grace's story and The Inclusion Initiative's mission are vital in addressing the challenges faced by these communities. Tune in to this episode to discover more about Grace Yung Foster's inspiring journey and The Inclusion Initiative's quest to make a difference. Join us in amplifying resilient voices and fostering a more inclusive world. #ResilientVoicesAndBeyondPodcast #InclusionMatters #IdentityJourney #GraceYungFoster #TransracialAdoption #FosterYouth #DiversityandInclusion #InclusionInitiative #Empowerment #ProfessionalDevelopment #EquityMatters #CommunitySupport #Storytelling #OpportunityGap #AsianAmerican #PodcastEpisode #InclusiveLeadership #EmpowerCommunities #Resilience

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