Every Step of the Way: Conversations that Inspire

Children's Aid
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to "Every Step of the Way: Conversations that Inspire," the official podcast of Children’s Aid. Our current season, "The Power of Connection," features Children’s Aid alumni in conversation with Children’s Aid leaders and subject matter experts as they explore the relationships and experiences that shape their journeys. Each episode highlights the impact that connection can have on a young person’s life. The podcast debuted with Season 1, I’m a Children’s Aid Kid, which spotlighted remarkable alumni whose lives were shaped by the support, guidance, and opportunities they found at Children’s Aid. Season 2 builds on that foundation, examining how meaningful connections create pathways to opportunity and lasting impact across generations. Tune in for inspiring stories and thoughtful conversations that show how connection can change the course of a life. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms. Visit our website for episode updates, behind-the-scenes content, and additional resources, and follow us on social media @childrensaidnyc.

Episodes

  1. From Cancer Diagnosis to Columbia Grad: How Foster Care Changed Everything for Karina Melendez

    2d ago

    From Cancer Diagnosis to Columbia Grad: How Foster Care Changed Everything for Karina Melendez

    When Karina Melendez was 10 years old, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. By 15, her family's financial strain had brought her into the foster care system. What could have been a story of loss became something far more powerful — a testament to what happens when the right people show up at the right time. In this episode of Every Step of the Way, host Georgia Booth and co-host Rhonda Braxton, VP of Health and Wellness at Children's Aid, sit down with Karina to trace her journey from medical foster care patient to Columbia University graduate and soon-to-be licensed social worker. Karina's story is bracingly honest — about the anger she carried toward her mother, the years she spent trying to do it all alone, and the moment a therapist handed her a phone and changed everything. It's also a story about resilience as something relational, built not in isolation but through the people who refuse to let you disappear. Georgia and Rhonda use Karina's experience to widen the lens, speaking candidly about the social determinants of health, the pressures facing families today, and why safety net services are not a luxury — they're a lifeline. Key Takeaways [04:14] — Karina entered foster care at 15 through Children's Aid's medical program while in remission from bone cancer. [06:59] — Rhonda explains Children's Aid's Medical Foster Care Program and its core philosophy: focus on possibility, not limitation. [11:53] — Karina's mother shaved her own head in solidarity during chemo, refusing to let it grow back until Karina's did. [14:40] — Karina reflects on how her mother's post-illness struggles led to homelessness and foster care, and cautions against blaming individuals over systemic pressures. [18:11] — The hardest part of Karina's journey wasn't the cancer — it was the damage done to her relationship with her mother. [20:22] — Karina shares what she learned through social work school: resilience is relational, built through other people, not in spite of needing them. [23:30] — A therapist handed Karina the phone and made her call her mentor Eva — the moment that brought her back to Columbia and turned everything around. [27:14] — Karina's message to students in foster care: progress, not perfection — and don't be afraid to lean on your people. [27:51] — Karina redefines success: "Being in a place where you can turn around and help someone else behind you." [47:05] — Each guest shares a symbolic object; Karina's are her high school and college diplomas, hanging on her wall at home. [53:38] — Rhonda addresses the social determinants of health and how Children's Aid works to connect families to wraparound resources. [55:32] — Georgia calls on citizens and elected officials to protect safety net services for families who are struggling right now. Resources Mentioned Children's Aid — childrenaid.org — Provides foster care, medical foster care, mental health services, school-based health centers, food and nutrition programs, and more across New York City.Children's Aid Medical Foster Care Program — Intensive case management for children and teens with complex medical needs, including nurse case managers, physicians, and behavioral health support.Health Connections — Children's Aid's healthcare home, part of the Health and Wellness Division overseen by Rhonda Braxton.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Referenced as the hospital where Karina received her cancer diagnosis and treatment.Administration for Children's Services (ACS) — The New York City agency through which children enter the foster care system.Columbia University — Where Karina completed her undergraduate degree.(Coming next episode) Children's Aid Community Schools Program — Schools as environments that support the whole child, not just a place for learning.

    34 min
  2. Season 2

    Season 2, Episode 1 Trailer

    Season 2

    Season 2 of Every Step of the Way continues to center alumni voices while introducing a rotating co-host format that reflects the breadth of leadership across Children’s Aid. Georgia Boothe anchors the opening and closing episodes, while organizational leaders host thematic conversation tied to their areas of expertise.

    1 min
  3. From Stickball to Surgery

    05/29/2025

    From Stickball to Surgery

    In the season finale of “Every Step of the Way,” hosts Sandra Escamilla and Georgia Boothe sit down with Dr. Raja Flores, the chief of thoracic surgery at Mount Sinai and board member at Children's Aid. Dr. Flores shares his incredible journey from growing up in the Meatpacking District amidst challenging circumstances to becoming a prominent figure in the medical field. Through engaging discussions, Dr. Flores emphasizes the critical role of supportive mentors and safe spaces for at-risk youth. He recounts how sports, orthodontic care, and compassionate mentors at Children's Aid played pivotal roles in his development and confidence.

    33 min
  4. Finding My Voice

    05/15/2025

    Finding My Voice

    In this episode of ‘Every Step of the Way,’ host Georgia Boothe and guest host Sarah Jonas, vice president of the Youth Division at Children's Aid, engage in an inspiring conversation with Julissa Contreras, an alumna of Children's Aid. Julissa shares her inspiring journey from a student in the South Bronx to an award-winning playwright and advocate for community justice. She reflects on the essential role the organization played in her life, empowering her through after-school programs like community justice and youth leadership. Through these programs, she found her voice, passion, and a pathway to a successful career. Julissa also details her current work with nonprofits and offers valuable advice for both the new generation and staff at Children's Aid.

    26 min
  5. Harlem: 40 Years of Hope and Change

    05/01/2025

    Harlem: 40 Years of Hope and Change

    In this inspiring episode of “Every Step of the Way,” hosts Georgia Boothe and Sandra Escamilla sit down with Casper Lassiter, the director of Children's Aid's Milbank Dunlevy Center. With over 40 years of dedication to positive youth development in Harlem, Casper shares his personal journey from a child at the center to a leader impacting countless lives. He also offers valuable advice for both program youth and staff, emphasizing the importance of leveraging resources, self-care, and the transformative power of community support. Tune in for Casper's heartfelt reflections on his life's mission and the extraordinary legacy he continues to build at Children's Aid.

    31 min
  6. Building Confidence, Giving Back

    04/17/2025

    Building Confidence, Giving Back

    In this episode of ‘Every Step of the Way,’ host Georgia Boothe welcomes Sarah Roman, an alumna of Children's Aid, who shares her personal journey with the organization. Sarah recounts her early involvement with Children's Aid summer programs, the pivotal role of Project Live, and the impact of having two mentors from diverse backgrounds. She highlights how the various extracurricular and after-school activities helped build her confidence, transforming her from a shy student into a self-assured individual. Now a successful massage therapist and business owner, Sarah speaks about how she is giving back to the community, particularly through housing initiatives for families in need.

    23 min
  7. Hoops, Hope and Leadership

    04/03/2025

    Hoops, Hope and Leadership

    In episode 2 of ‘Every Step of the Way,’ co-hosts Sandra Escamilla and Georgia Boothe sit down with Daniel Singleton, principal at P.S. 31 on Staten Island, to delve into his inspiring journey from a participant in Children's Aid programs to a pivotal figure in educational leadership. Daniel reflects on his challenging upbringing during the 80s and 90s, a period marked by the crack epidemic, and how Children's Aid provided him with much-needed safety, structure, and opportunities for personal and academic growth. Now, as a principal, he shares how he’s improving his school and giving back to his community, illustrating the profound effect that dedicated mentorship and community engagement can have on young minds.

    39 min
  8. Growing Up and Giving Back

    03/20/2025

    Growing Up and Giving Back

    In the inaugural episode of 'Every Step of the Way,' Georgia Boothe and Sandra Escamilla, executive vice presidents at Children's Aid, co-host a deeply inspiring conversation with Frances Lopez, senior director of Family Support Services. A longtime leader at Children's Aid, Frances shares her remarkable journey from growing up in East Harlem to attending prestigious institutions like Stuyvesant High School, Brown University, and Columbia University. In this episode, we learn how the support from Children's Aid was pivotal in helping Frances overcome challenges and achieve success. Frances speaks passionately about her return to the community, her dedication to social work, and her role in the preventive services program at Children's Aid.

    30 min
  9. Introducing Every Step of the Way

    Season 1 Trailer

    Introducing Every Step of the Way

    From classrooms to boardrooms—Children's Aid alumni are making an impact every step of the way. Hosted by Sandra Escamilla and Georgia Boothe, executive vice presidents at Children’s Aid, this podcast brings you powerful stories of resilience, hope, and success. Hear firsthand from alumni who’ve transformed their lives and communities with the support of Children's Aid.Gain insights, tools, and tips you can use in your own life and work.Be inspired by stories that prove how the right opportunities can change everything.Stay tuned for bi-weekly episodes that celebrate the journeys of those who took every step toward a brighter future. Subscribe to “Every Step of the Way” on your favorite podcast platform.

    1 min

Trailers

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About

Welcome to "Every Step of the Way: Conversations that Inspire," the official podcast of Children’s Aid. Our current season, "The Power of Connection," features Children’s Aid alumni in conversation with Children’s Aid leaders and subject matter experts as they explore the relationships and experiences that shape their journeys. Each episode highlights the impact that connection can have on a young person’s life. The podcast debuted with Season 1, I’m a Children’s Aid Kid, which spotlighted remarkable alumni whose lives were shaped by the support, guidance, and opportunities they found at Children’s Aid. Season 2 builds on that foundation, examining how meaningful connections create pathways to opportunity and lasting impact across generations. Tune in for inspiring stories and thoughtful conversations that show how connection can change the course of a life. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major podcast platforms. Visit our website for episode updates, behind-the-scenes content, and additional resources, and follow us on social media @childrensaidnyc.

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