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Aligning with Episode 10. Understanding the Foster Care System, this episode explores the perspective of the child who goes through "the system." Ryan Hatcher, a graduate student at the University of Central Florida, sits down with Laurie to share his foster care story, which began as an infant and is still evolving today. We were able to connect with Ryan through his involvement as a client and now advocate of the Foundation for Foster Children, a local nonprofit that was represented in Episode 10.

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Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

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The Foster Care System is complex and nuanced, loaded with stories of terrible struggle and unsung heroes. This episode aims to unpack the system as a whole, starting from the national stage and slowly zooming into Central Florida. Learn about our state’s lead agency system, take a deep dive into what it means to “age out” of the system, and specific areas along the foster care experience to focus on moving forward.

Guests:

• Peter Amico, Former Board Chairman of Embrace Families
• Phil Scarpelli, President and CEO of Family Partnerships of Central Florida
• Raquel Bell, Executive Director, Foundation for Foster Children
• Michelle Chira, Co-Founder and Board Member, Foundation for Foster Children

From Central Florida Foundation:

• Sandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives

Visit the First You Talk website.

Visit the First You Talk Podcast on Instagram.

Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

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Jump into a bonus episode that aligns with Episode 7: Why is solving homelessness so hard? Part Two.

Hear more from Mark and Sandi's conversation on HB 1365 and the Not in My Backyard (NIMBY) mentality, then move over to an extended version of our conversation with Martha Are, CEO of Homeless Services Network of Central Florida and the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness.

Reminder that if you're just joining us, we recommend starting with Episode 1: Why is solving homelessness so hard? Part One.

Visit the First You Talk website.

Visit the First You Talk Podcast on Instagram.

Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

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First You Talk turns one, and Laurie and Nicole from Central Florida Foundation take a walk down memory lane. How and why did the podcast come to fruition and where is it going? What were the other names and approaches considered?

Sit down with Team CFF for a half hour of exploring the power of conversation - and all the laughs we had along the way.

Visit the First You Talk website.

Visit the First You Talk Podcast on Instagram.

Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

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Why are we talking about homelessness again? It's simple. The conversation isn't over.

With our homeless population seemingly on the rise and a new law in Florida, there's lots to unpack and untangle. If you haven't listened to Episode 1 yet (Part 1 of this conversation) we strongly recommend you do! Episode 1 provides a great overview of this topic and sets you up to get more out of this episode.

Episode 7 Guests:

• Martha Are, President and CEO | Homeless Service Network and Central Florida Commission on Homelessness
• Kathy, a client of Samaritan Resource Center who was interviewed in Episode 1
• Gwenell Hall, recently retired Case Manager | Christian Service Center
• State Attorney Andrew Bain | 9th Judicial Circuit

From Central Florida Foundation:

• Mark Brewer, President and CEO
• Sandi Vidal, VP of Community Strategies and Initiatives

Visit the First You Talk website.

Visit the First You Talk Podcast on Instagram.

Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us a text

Get to know Central Florida Foundation's President/CEO, Mark Brewer, better and hear him weigh in on topics such as career highs and lows, book recommendations, pop culture references (yes, we go there!), and more.

Visit the First You Talk website.

Visit the First You Talk Podcast on Instagram.

Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us a text

In this bonus episode that aligns with Episode 6: Are you a philanthropist? Nicole Donelson and Mark Brewer continue their conversation.

You'll also hear from a mini community member, Laurie's son, Liam.

Visit the First You Talk website.

Visit the First You Talk Podcast on Instagram.

Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.

Send us a text

What makes someone a philanthropist? We dive into this topic, breaking down obstacles, misconceptions, trends and more. Learn about the giving continuum, the giving circle model, and how perceptions have evolved over time.

Hear from:

• Mark Brewer | President/CEO, Central Florida Foundation
• Nicole Donelson | VP of Philanthropic Strategies and Partnerships, Central Florida Foundation
• Renuka Sastra | Past 100 Women Strong Chair
• Chris Manley | CFF Fundholder and All-Around Caring Person

Visit the First You Talk website.

Visit the First You Talk Podcast on Instagram.

Visit Central Florida Foundation's Instagram.

As our region’s community foundation, Central Florida Foundation serves as a launchpad for high-impact philanthropy. Championing the collective power of head, heart and dollar, we coordinate the commitment and investment of philanthropists, nonprofits, and community partners to target today’s most critical challenges and those on the horizon to truly transform our community. The Foundation also offers expert giving advice, a personalized approach to managing charitable funds, and the capacity to convene collaboration across sectors. Learn more at cffound.org.