Aging Out Institute

In our latest podcast, Liberty Thompson from JEM Friends, Inc. in Idaho describes the four pillars of support that they provide youth and the four phases of their program, which takes youth from finishing education to housing readiness. https://lnkd.in/eFeNmddD

AOI's latest podcast episode features Tyila Cooks, Ex. Dir. of Lifebridge Child Advocacy, which serves at-risk youth, providing a place for them to get support & life skills training. They also give support to foster parents & families in crisis. https://lnkd.in/ght97X45

Our latest podcast features Hannah Hodgson Katzman, Assoc. Dir. of Family Harvest Farm in CA. Hannah's program hires youth aged out of foster care ages 18-24 on a part-time basis, teaches them about farming while mentoring them, and donates/sells the produce to the community.

In AOI's latest podcast, Lynn Tonini interviews Tige Charity, CEO of Kids in the Spotlight in Burbank, California. Tige shares about the unique employment support services that Kids in the Spotlight provides youth aging out of foster care, which focuses on skills in the arts and entertainment. We talk about the Script-to-Screen program that culminates in film productions that compete with one another for awards through their Kids Film Awards. Supported by Ty Burrell of Modern Family fame, this program works tirelessly to help their youth gain employment in the entertainment industry. https://lnkd.in/ght97X45

Our 2024 Awards Program has started and we are now accepting applications! If your organization supports youth aging out of foster care, click here to learn more about the eligibility, timeline, and how to register. https://lnkd.in/e_DvMTXt

AOI is recruiting a volunteer who has audio editing experience to edit raw interview files to create the final MP3 file for our podcast series, Preparing Foster Youth for Adulting. Please click this link for more information. https://lnkd.in/ePzBy7Ti

AOI is recruiting a volunteer to search the Internet for resources, research, and programs that support youth aging out of foster care and add them to our online database. Please click this link for more information. https://lnkd.in/eBNAmadz

In AOI's latest podcast, Lynn Tonini interviews Maria Paparella, Founder and Executive Director of Chair-ity in Akron, Ohio. Maria explained the origins and growth of her organization, which provides furniture to youth aging out of foster care and is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this year. We talk about the importance of enabling youth to have choices in creating their environment, how critical community is to supporting these youth, and we wrap up discussing opportunities that the foster system can take to improve the support for youth as they transition to adulthood. https://lnkd.in/ght97X45

Our next Community Chat is 4/26 at 3pm EDT: "How to Incorporate Trauma Informed Care in Programs & Services." If participating in this and other learning events focused on supporting youth aging out of care sounds interesting, join our community at https://lnkd.in/dn8tGCxW.

In AOI's latest podcast, Lynn Tonini interviews Mark Mecum, CEO of Ohio Children's Alliance in Columbus, Ohio. Mark explains the work that his organization does for youth aging out of foster care through the Ohio Bridges Program, the state's extended foster care program. We talk about the importance of prevention so that youth don't have to go into foster care in the first place, and we wrap up discussing opportunities to improve outcomes for aged-out youth. https://lnkd.in/ght97X45