Foster Care, Adoption, and Beyond: Untold Stories

zayda sorrell-medina

FAB untold stories integrates  story telling, research, and expert interviews to shed light on the complexity of foster care, adoption, youth homelessness, and related social work and urban topics, with the ultimate goal of raising awareness and building a more compassionate world. The host, Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina, is a professor, social scientist, and author. Her research includes the study of the foster, adopt, homeless youth community, and she is also a former foster and homeless youth and foster-adopt parent.  Follow on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/ Learn more about guest speaking, consultation, and research: zaydasorrellmedina.com

  1. AUG 11

    Episode 22 | Nonprofits Making a Difference: Interview with Christian Quijano and Chino Quinlan, My Friend's Place

    Send us a text About the Episode This episode highlights the vital role nonprofits play in addressing youth homelessness in Los Angeles. We’re joined by Christian Quijano, Associate Director of Program Innovation and Impact at My Friend’s Place, and Chino Quinlan, a former participant of the organization and now a Coordinator at the LA LGBT Center. Together, they share powerful personal stories and insightful research that reveal the heart of what makes nonprofit work so impactful. About the Guests Christian Quijano  Christian Quijano is a visionary leader currently serving as the Associate Director of Program Innovation and Impact at My Friend's Place. With a distinctive background, Christian holds an MBA from Pepperdine University's Graziadio Business School and a Sociology degree from Cal State Northridge. His role blends his business acumen and understanding of human attachment to drive meaningful, sustainable change. With a history of driving impact, Christian has led projects ranging from designing social-emotional learning solutions to managing high-profile philanthropic portfolios to fostering cultures informed by data, leveraging Ai tools in the process. His entrepreneurial mindset, coupled with a commitment to innovation and relationship-building, positions him as a trusted partner for fostering positive transformation and unlocking the potential of young people and teams at My Friend's Place. Chino Quinlan Harnessing the powerful lived experience of a past marked by incarceration and an abusive adoptive family, Matthew "Chino" Quinlan, 24, is a remarkable voice for positive change. Now an advocate for youth at the Los Angeles LGBT center and a member of SPA 4's Young Adult Steering Council (YASC), Chino is fueled by a passion for reforming the justice system and redefining rehabilitation. Chino boldly advocates for alternatives to youth incarceration and a more humane adult prison system. His lived experience as a former foster youth also fuels his fight for solutions to youth homelessness and mental health awareness. Though new to the world of non-profit advocacy and legislative change, Chino's local impact is undeniable. He spearheaded the creation of two peer staff positions in his service area and even attended the inaugural White House Youth Policy Summit, where he joined over 100 young leaders in advocating for policy changes directly with lawmakers. About My Friend's Place  Get involved and donate: https://www.myfriendsplace.org/get-involved About LA LGBT Center Get involved: https://thecenterlv.org/ Donate: https://thecenterlv.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate Support the show About Me Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student. Consulting Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here: https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html Support the Show Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina Episode Schedule A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. Social Media https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/ https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/

    40 min
  2. JUL 11

    Episode 21 | Foster Parent Trainings in LA County: Interview with Researchers Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler and Kaili Farhat

    Send us a text In this episode we have guests Kaili Farhat and Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler present their master’s thesis on foster parent training programs in Los Angeles County. As home to one of the largest child welfare systems in the United States, LA County offers a wide range of trainings for foster parents. However, notable gaps remain in the content and scope of these offerings. Kate and Kaili's county-level analysis identifies these gaps and weaves in recommendations that can strengthen foster parent training efforts both within LA County and beyond.  Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler  Kathleen (Kate) Soto Gisler (she/her) is a social worker & researcher with a focus in supporting community college students through their academic journeys and providing strengths-based care in community centered work.   Kaili Farhat With a background in psychology and a passion for understanding how systems impact vulnerable populations, Kaili Farhat is a clinically oriented social worker and researcher with specific interests in mental health, trauma and grief. Request the Research Report To receive a copy of the research report, send an email to zayda.sorrell-medina@csun.edu with REPORT in the subject line. Support the show About Me Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina is a professor, social scientist, educator, and author. She is also a member and advocate of the foster, adoption, and homeless youth community and a first generation college student. Consulting Dr. Zayda Sorrell-Medina provides consulting, speaking engagements, trainings, workshops, and more. Learn more by clicking here: https://www.zaydasorrellmedina.com/consultation.html Support the Show Donate to the show contributing to its ongoing production: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2171073/support https://cash.app/$ZaydaSorrellMedina Episode Schedule A new episode is released monthly on the 11th with special releases sprinkled throughout the year. Social Media https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/ https://www.facebook.com/drzayda/

    19 min

About

FAB untold stories integrates  story telling, research, and expert interviews to shed light on the complexity of foster care, adoption, youth homelessness, and related social work and urban topics, with the ultimate goal of raising awareness and building a more compassionate world. The host, Dr. Zayda Sorrell Medina, is a professor, social scientist, and author. Her research includes the study of the foster, adopt, homeless youth community, and she is also a former foster and homeless youth and foster-adopt parent.  Follow on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zaydasorrellmedina/ Learn more about guest speaking, consultation, and research: zaydasorrellmedina.com