Aged Out: The Stories that Built Us

Join the SMU Child Advocacy Associates as they speak with Deb Finley, a board member for CASA of Denton County and Heather Tijerina, who is involved with Foster Angels of South Texas.

These two women…

Emily Dang shares valuable knowledge and insight on working with transition-aged and aged-out youth. Emily has over 18 years of experience in child welfare and is passionate about and dedicated to se…

After being abused and mistreated for many years, Kassandra entered the foster care system at age fifteen. Kassandra considers herself lucky – she got to have a job, go on dates, and have a normal hi…

Jimmy, a previous interviewee on this podcast, entered the foster care system at age 7 and was placed in 6 different foster homes. Despite having a rough upbringing, Jimmy has now graduated from the …

Donetia Meshack entered foster care when she was 11 months old. She was in care for 17 years, where she transitioned through many homes and had only intermittent contact with her birth family. Betwe…

Tina’s story is one of community and being in the right places at the right time—or as Tina would say— miracles. After being removed from her mother’s home at the age of 16, Tina was placed in a grou…

Rob Scheer shares his inspirational, full circle journey in this can't-miss episode. Rob experienced the foster care system as a youth, and is now a dedicated advocate for other youth in care, a vete…

Bob’s story is one of resilience and regaining control. Bob first came to America from Ukraine at the age of 5. He was adopted into a family who subjected him to horrible treatment, until finally at …

Before graduating with her associate degree, to now working with patients with dementia and suicidality, Candace was teenager navigating her life in the foster care system. Faced with the hardship an…

Before finding his place in the world, Ryan faced unimaginable hardships. Raised in an unstable environment, his early years were marked by turmoil, as he grappled with his identity amidst the backdr…

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Betty moved to the United States with her father and younger sister when she was nine years old. When Betty was seventeen, her father went back to Af…

In this episode, we hear the story of Leroy, who went into foster care in November 2005 due to abuse and neglect. He spent two years in foster care, during which time all of his siblings were in diff…

This week's episode picks back up with Mikayla! In part two, hear how attorneys and advocates helped her navigate the system and her journey through the aging out process.

If you are a former foster …

This week's episode features Mikayla Slaydon! Hear Mikayla talk about how her experiences growing up shaped who she is today. From living with her pastor and being placed into foster care, to being v…

Mandalyn entered foster care at 16 years old after her father threatened to kill her. This occurred after she was removed from her mother’s home due to her mother's addiction to methamphetamine. Ma…

Born to two non-citizens, Jai McClean decided to stay back in the United States so that she could complete her high school career to fulfill her lifelong goal to someday attend college—even if that m…

Dorthy’s story is one of turning tragedy to triumph.

Dorthy entered foster care at five years old after the police and social workers suddenly showed up at her home. Dorthy’s mom tried to fight back …

Tia entered foster care at 14 years old after her mother called the police reporting that Tia had tried to overdose. After a stay in the hospital, she was placed in an RTC. She has 11 siblings and wa…