In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, host Brian Mavis and co-host Travis welcome Callie Priest, the director of strategic partnerships for WindShape Homes. They discuss the mission of WindShape Homes, which was founded by the founders of Chick-fil-A to support children in foster care. Callie shares her unique journey into the foster care space, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing local churches to engage in foster care and provide support for vulnerable families. The conversation also covers the various programs and services offered by WindShape Homes, including their group care model and partnerships with churches to create supportive communities for foster families. Additionally, they introduce the new WindShape Homes podcast, aimed at raising awareness and sharing stories related to foster care. In this conversation, Callie discusses the barriers to awareness in foster care, the importance of collaboration among organizations, and the challenges of competition in the nonprofit sector. She emphasizes the need for a redemptive narrative in foster care and highlights the essential needs of children in the system, particularly the importance of Christ in their lives. The discussion also touches on the role of organizations in creating a supportive ecosystem for foster care and the necessity of working together to improve outcomes for children.

Takeaways

• WindShape Homes was founded to support children in foster care.
• Callie Priest has a background in nonprofit leadership and church ministry.
• The importance of mobilizing local churches to engage in foster care.
• WindShape Homes offers a group care model and foster care services.
• The organization partners with churches to create a supportive community for foster families.
• Callie emphasizes the need for clinical care in foster care programs.
• WindShape Homes has expanded its services to include a child placing agency.
• The organization aims to provide stability and support for vulnerable families.
• Callie highlights the complexity of the foster care system.
• The launch of the WindShape Homes podcast aims to raise awareness and share stories. Awareness is a significant barrier in foster care.
• A redemptive narrative is needed in foster care discussions.
• Collaboration among organizations is crucial for success.
• Competition among nonprofits can hinder progress.
• Foster care requires a community effort for better outcomes.
• Children in foster care need stable families and access to the gospel.
• Organizations should focus on collective impact rather than individual branding.
• The foster care system is complex and requires diverse expertise.
• Healthy ecosystems in foster care can lead to better care.
• Generosity and cooperation are essential in the nonprofit sector.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly podcast, hosts Courtney Williams and Travis Vangsnes welcome Greg and Sam Hollback, a couple who have adopted two Native American daughters through the I Belong Project. They discuss their life in Daytona Beach, their community engagement, and their professional backgrounds in youth advocacy and education.

The Hollbacks share their adoption journey, including the challenges and joys of finding their daughters, the importance of cultural considerations in adoption, and how they incorporate Lakota heritage into their family life. They reflect on their experiences as a multicultural family and the significance of belonging and identity for their children.

Checkout our free webinars on practical and relevant foster care and adoption topics
FosterCon.org

Learn more about Youth Advocate Programs:
https://www.yapinc.org/

Takeaways

• Living in Daytona Beach offers a unique lifestyle for families.
• Adoption processes can take time and require patience.
• Cultural understanding is crucial in the adoption journey.
• Incorporating a child's heritage can enrich family life.
• Community engagement is important for personal fulfillment.
• Children need time and attention to adjust in new environments.
• Adopting cross-culturally requires sensitivity and awareness.
• Language learning can strengthen family bonds and cultural identity.
• The importance of being accepted as a family in diverse communities.
• Adoption is about love and connection, not perfection.

In this episode of the Foster Friendly Podcast, hosts Courtney and Travis engage in a deep conversation with Isaac Etter, a transracial adoptee and social entrepreneur. They explore the complexities of adoption, particularly transracial adoption, and the grief that often accompanies it. Isaac shares his personal journey, highlighting the importance of open conversations about race and identity within adoptive families. The discussion also touches on cultural differences, code switching, and the concept of ghost kingdoms, emphasizing the need for unconditional love and understanding in the adoption process.

Checkout Isaac's website with helpful parenting tips, tools, and resources:
https://www.parentingdifferent.com/

Takeaways

• Isaac was adopted at age two and faced challenges in understanding his identity.
• Adoption is complex and often involves grief and loss.
• Conversations about race should be normalized in transracial families.
• Grief in adoption can manifest during significant life transitions.
• Cultural differences play a crucial role in shaping identity for adoptees.
• Code switching is a common experience for transracial adoptees.
• Ghost kingdoms represent unexpressed curiosity about birth families.
• Unconditional love is essential for adopted youth.
• Adoptees often need compassion and grace as they navigate their identities.
• Open dialogues about race can help adoptees feel secure in their identities.