Welcome to the Riverside Project podcast! We are mobilizing Houston to empower families and transform generations. We hope these conversations give you a greater understanding of the issues facing our community and inspire you to find your place along the River. Learn more about our work by visiting riversideproject.org or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
…
continue reading
1
How We Come Alongside Families (feat. Kathleen Cowie & Caitlin Simpson)
1:06:03
1:06:03
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
1:06:03
We are passionate about not only transforming the foster care system in and around Houston but about helping others find their place along The River. This means providing key trainings, rallying community members together, and bringing awareness to how we can all be better equipped to make Houston a place where families heal and children thrive. Fo…
…
continue reading
1
The Challenges of Parenting in a Transracial Adoption (feat. Julie Etter)
58:41
58:41
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
58:41
Transracial adoption is not a new topic to The Riverside Project Podcast. We had the honor of speaking with Isaac Etter in a past episode on this topic and today we are talking with his adoptive mother, Julie. Julie Etter is an adoptive mom along with her husband. They have five children—two through adoption and three biologically. Julie is a belov…
…
continue reading
1
What is TBRI®? (feat. Mitzi McBride)
35:31
35:31
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
35:31
You may have heard of the term Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) or trauma-informed care before, but you may not know what it is or how it can help transform how we care for children in foster care. To help us dive deeper into this topic is Mitzi McBride. Mitzi is not only well-versed in TBRI® but is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker…
…
continue reading
1
The Extraordinary Power of Belonging (feat. Gaelin Elmore)
56:16
56:16
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
56:16
“Despite all the bad circumstances that I dealt with and navigated, there were people who were meeting my belonging needs in a way that allowed me to continue to grow, learn, and thrive in spite of the things I was experiencing.” Children in foster care are often deeply longing for connection, intimacy, and relationships. How can we offer children …
…
continue reading
1
How Any Church Can Serve Those Involved in Foster Care (feat. Mireya Scholes, Atascocita Community Church)
39:42
39:42
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
39:42
This episode of The Riverside Project Podcast is hosted by Chandler James, our Director of Church Mobilization. We are so excited to have him in this seat today! Collaboration is a big part of what we do at The Riverside Project. It’s how we connect, share resources, communicate about the needs of families and children in foster care, and more. For…
…
continue reading
1
The Impact of Long-Term Mentorship (feat. Brandon Denton, Friends of the Children Houston)
44:30
44:30
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
44:30
Do you know what the single most important factor in overcoming childhood adversity is? Research found that it is a long-term, nurturing relationship with a consistent and caring adult. Today, we are talking with Brandon Denton who has an impressive resume full of experiences and passion. Brandon was the Founding Executive Director of Friends of th…
…
continue reading
1
From the Vault: What is the River? (feat. Jason Johnson, CAFO)
35:53
35:53
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
35:53
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month! During this month, we’re not only raising awareness about foster care, but we are also celebrating the beautiful work of collaboration in this space. (Watch our new “As One” documentary series here for some incredible stories about the work happening in our city.) With this focus, we are revisiting the v…
…
continue reading
1
Unlocking Purpose for the Vulnerable (feat. Brian Meza, Petra Cares)
36:28
36:28
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
36:28
For young adults who faced significant challenges growing up, it can be very hard to successfully transition into the workforce. They may not have the resources or self-confidence to strive for a fulfilling career. As a result, they may end up unemployed or stuck in a cycle of jobs that don’t offer upward mobility. Today’s guest, Brian Meza, is tac…
…
continue reading
1
Navigating Transracial Adoption: A Personal Journey (feat. Isaac Etter, Identity)
50:31
50:31
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
50:31
Adopting children who are of a different race than your own can be a beautiful thing. But many parents who do so make one crucial mistake—they try to disregard the topic of race altogether. They may feel uncomfortable addressing this subject or think that it’s better just to ignore it. But the truth is, in order to set children up for success, you …
…
continue reading
1
Showing Up For Children in the Way They Deserve (feat. Chelsea Floro, Moses Closet of The Woodlands)
46:48
46:48
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
46:48
Life as a foster parent is a constant learning process. You complete extensive training, but quickly realize that there's always more to learn. As you figure out the best ways to meet the needs of the children in your care, one thing continues to become clear—every child comes with their own unique needs. The best way to grow in how you're supporti…
…
continue reading
1
Helping Birth Parents Make Positive Changes (feat. Catherine Vannatta & Tiffany Maggret)
50:13
50:13
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
50:13
The foster care system’s primary goal is to serve the best interests of the families within it. Whenever possible, that means reuniting biological parents with their children. To help a family heal, birth parents need intentional support. But all too often, they aren’t given the resources they need to overcome their challenging life circumstances a…
…
continue reading
1
From Foster Youth to Social Worker (feat. Travis Hand, Texas Children’s Hospital)
36:17
36:17
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
36:17
It’s a joy to have Travis Hand, a Licensed Master Social Worker who currently serves as a Behavioral Health Specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital, on our latest episode of the podcast. Once a teen struggling to navigate the challenges of growing up in the foster care system, Travis gained a strong passion for social work in college. This conversa…
…
continue reading
1
Improving the System Together (feat. Shaundricka Easley, Texas Department of Family Protective Services)
28:56
28:56
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
28:56
We are delighted to have the Deputy Regional Director at the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, Shaundricka Easley, on the podcast. She has been with the department for over 15 years and had various roles during that time as well as served all 13 counties across the Houston area. Shaundricka gives us unique insight from her vast experi…
…
continue reading
1
Walking with Families for the Long Haul (feat. Jenni Lord)
42:43
42:43
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
42:43
“Who is with them long term?” This is the question that Jenni Lord started asking after her organization helped fund hundreds of adoptions. What she realized is that the breakdown of these adoptive families often stemmed from the parents not being equipped to handle the behaviors and challenges that came along with trauma. Today, Jenni Lord is a re…
…
continue reading
1
A Dedication to Child and Family Well-Being (feat. Jesse Booher, DePelchin Children's Center)
44:17
44:17
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
44:17
DePelchin Children’s Center has existed for over 130 years and has continued to evolve to meet the needs of the community. Their mission is to strengthen the lives of children by enhancing their mental health and physical well-being in Houston and central Texas. Jesse Booher is the Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of DePelchin Chi…
…
continue reading
1
Creating Safe Spaces for the Next Generation (feat. Chandler James)
32:42
32:42
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
32:42
It all started with a simple napkin exercise. Chandler James was asked to write his dream on a napkin. Initially, it seemed like a silly exercise but when he was finished his napkin read: creating safe spaces for the next generation. Chandler James is our Director of Church Mobilization here at The Riverside Project. He has worked in a number of lo…
…
continue reading
1
Finding Success in Education for Foster Youth (feat. Dr. Danisha Keating)
49:31
49:31
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
49:31
Foster youth face many challenges, and education can be one of them. In fact, studies show that just 4% of children who have experienced foster care will go on to obtain a four-year college degree. Children who are involved within the foster care system also experience a higher number of school transitions, lower academic achievement, heightened ex…
…
continue reading
1
What Is International Foster Care? (feat. Krista Kesseler)
28:29
28:29
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
28:29
Anytime there is news related to the border or a refugee crisis, we frequently hear this question: “How does our city serve unaccompanied minors and refugees that come to our country without their parents? Does this affect the foster care community?” You may never have heard the term “international foster care” before, but this is a unique and impo…
…
continue reading
1
Offering Your Family to a Child in Foster Care (feat. Jennifer Clifford)
40:17
40:17
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
40:17
This is not working. What do we do next? After several infertility treatments, Jennifer Clifford and her husband, Ryan, asked themselves this question. After a discussion and an informational meeting about foster care, they came to the conclusion that God was closing the door to biological children and opening the door to foster care, specifically …
…
continue reading
1
Learning to Listen to One Another (feat. Luevenia Chapman)
29:18
29:18
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
29:18
There's a place for everyone in supporting children and families here in Houston. That's something we believe firmly here at The Riverside Project. Today, we have the opportunity to share our conversation with Luevenia Chapman, co-founder and Program Director for Hearts with Hope Foundation, a local general residential operation (GRO) that provides…
…
continue reading
1
Houston PEARLS (feat. Judge Susan Brown & Judge Dena Fisher)
30:04
30:04
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
30:04
Healing happens in the context of relationship. As Dr. Bruce Perry says, “Relationships matter: the currency for systemic change is trust, and trust comes through forming healthy, working relationships. People, not programs, change people.” Programs and services for children in foster care are helpful, but when it comes to producing long term heali…
…
continue reading
1
Keeping Families Together: Addressing Needs of Relative Caregivers (feat. Dr. Valerie Jackson)
27:36
27:36
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
27:36
Extended relatives, such as grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, and even close friends (referred to as “fictive kin”) have always been a stabilizing force in the family system. These relationships have historically been, and are still today, a vital source of safety and permanency for children. In this episode, Dr. Valerie Jackson shares how Monar…
…
continue reading
1
Navigating Healthcare Challenges of Children in Foster Care (feat. Texas Children's Hospital)
30:04
30:04
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
30:04
We know from ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) research that child abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction are linked to increased risk for poor social, emotional, and physical health outcomes. The Division of Public Health Pediatrics at Texas Children's Hospital was established in 2015 to prevent and mitigate childhood adversities and to prov…
…
continue reading
1
Proximity Matters (feat. Kingwood Methodist Church)
33:00
33:00
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
33:00
"Hope is found near the ground, in close proximity to the struggle." In this episode, Nanette Lynch and Clint Wylie with Kingwood Methodist Church tell the story of how their church began serving kids and families involved with the foster care system, and how their ministry has evolved over time. We also discuss the joy of saying "yes" to hard thin…
…
continue reading
1
Raising the Bar (feat. Tara Grigg Green, Foster Care Advocacy Center)
34:30
34:30
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
34:30
What could it look like to raise the standard of care from "better to nothing" to "excellence" for vulnerable children and families who are involved with the child welfare system? In this episode, Tara Grigg Green (founder and Executive Director of the Foster Care Advocacy Center) shares how FCAC is providing high-quality, multidisciplinary legal r…
…
continue reading
1
Equipping the Church to Support Families in Crisis
26:26
26:26
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
26:26
The Church is called to be in the place where the world is in pain. We often hear from church leaders that they recognize the need and deeply desire to support vulnerable families within their congregations and in their communities, but they just don't know where to start. In this episode, Toni Steere, Director of Legacy 68:5 at Houston's First Bap…
…
continue reading
1
What is Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)?
33:17
33:17
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
33:17
Just a few decades ago it was believed that children who experienced extreme abuse and neglect suffered damage to their brain that was irreparable. We now know that damage caused by traumatic experiences can be healed over time through the context of loving, stable, healthy relationships. In other words, trauma that happens in relationship must be …
…
continue reading
1
Educational Needs of Youth in Foster Care (feat. Crystal Coleman & Jackie McCoy)
25:40
25:40
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
25:40
Why do so many youth in foster care struggle at school? How does trauma impact educational outcomes? What can we do as a community to improve educational outcomes for our youth? This episode features Crystal Coleman, the Foster Care Coordinator at Klein ISD, and Jackie McCoy, a Klein ISD Surrogate Parent. We discuss educational challenges, the impa…
…
continue reading
1
Hope and Healing for Foster Youth (feat. Promise Rose Residential Care Home)
20:40
20:40
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
20:40
Promise Rose is a nonprofit residential treatment center in Houston, TX serving youth in foster care. In this episode, Program Director, Donte Abram, and Executive Director, Nikia Johnson, share about their work, and the challenges faced by the youth they serve. We also discuss ways our community can support these youth as they transition into adul…
…
continue reading
1
The System (feat. DFPS Regional Directors, C.J. Broussard-White & Leshia Fisher)
25:21
25:21
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
25:21
In this episode, we explore the inner world of the child welfare system in Houston, including challenges faced by caseworkers, needs of families impacted by the system, and what it will take for children and families to thrive in our city. Guests: C.J. Broussard-White, DFPS Region 6A Regional Director Leshia Fisher, DFPS Region 6B Regional Director…
…
continue reading
1
The River (feat. Jason Johnson)
34:20
34:20
Later Afspelen
Later Afspelen
Lijsten
Vind ik leuk
Leuk
34:20
In our first podcast, we break down the parable of the River and how it relates to issues facing Houston's child and family welfare system. Foster care isn't an isolated problem but is connected to many other social issues affecting our city. How does this reality change the way we work together to transform foster care in our communities? In this …
…
continue reading