We Are the ECHO

We Are the ECHO
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PARENTING

Foster care and adoption can be lonely, challenging, and sometimes painful paths to navigate. Maybe you long for a steady and comforting voice to talk you through this expansive wilderness you're in; something to serve as a reminder that you're not alone; a familiar echo of home and stability. We hope you find that here. We are the echo.

Episodes

  1. 04/28/2021

    Adoption and Infertility

    Kelley sits down with Susan Wanderer (She Speaks Stories podcast, Wander On) to talk about infertility and adoption and we get some valuable advice to help those walking this often lonely road.

    42 min

  2. 04/09/2021

    Is Adoption Really Plan B?

    Kelley sits down with Desiree White (adoptive mom, Director of Community Health Care’s Foster Adoption Clinic, Tacoma WA) to talk about a common statement in our world and it goes something like this: "Adoption is a beautiful Plan B." As if maybe to say, "After everything else you've tried in your pursuit of having a family has failed, try adoption." Certainly, adoption can be a great way to grow family, but it proposes an ethical dilemma which needs to be considered. Am I wanting a child for my family or am I willing to offer my family to a child in need? Explore more with us on Facebook, Instagram, and our YouTube channel.  Donate at wearetheecho.org.

    58 min

  3. 03/02/2021

    Build a Legacy

    Kelley and Randall sit down together for this personal interview about Legacy; how to identify it, how to strive for it, and how to build it for your family and for your community. To learn more, visit wearetheecho.org. If you're curious about becoming a foster or adoptive parent, plan to attend one of our Next Steps Events. Do you lead a business, church, or civic organization and want to learn about caring for vulnerable children and families? Register for one of our upcoming Virtual Coalition Luncheons.

    42 min

  4. 10/06/2020

    The Church and Foster Care, Part 2

    Randall and Kelley sit down with Stu and Tab Hodges (Pastors, Waters Edge Church) to discuss, among other things, what to do with a personal passion that doesn't get immediately picked up as an official ministry of the church, the value of community partnerships, and a few fun stories along the way. Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO) - cafo.org Orphan/Stand Sunday, November 8, 2020 - cafo.org/orphansunday Entrusted Network - entrustednetwork.com Register for the Entrusted Conference: https://entrustednetwork.com/conference Virginia's Kids Belong - vakidsbelong.org Virtual Next Steps Event: https://www.vakidsbelong.org/shine-your-light-event Coastal Virginia Coalition for Vulnerable Children - FREE Virtual Luncheon, November 4th • noon-1PM https://www.eventbrite.com/e/november-coastal-virginia-coalition-for-vulnerable-children-tickets-121565041311 Do You See Me? - Initiative to End Foster Youth Isolation wearetheecho.org/give30-landing

    57 min

  5. 09/15/2020

    The Church and Foster Care, Part 1

    Everyone who follows Jesus has a role in caring for orphans, widows, and the defenseless as an avenue to proclaim His gospel. But knowing your role and how to play it can be unknown territory. And for pastors and church leaders, the effort it takes to lift another ministry off the ground can be exhausting. So what's the solution? There are probably a few, but ECHO's Ambassador Program makes it easy for churches of any size, budget, and volunteer capacity to make a significant and meaningful impact on their community today. Take advantage of the More Than Enough Assessment: https://mte-assessment.org Learn more about CarePortal: https://www.careportal.org/get-involved/sign-up-my-church/ Schedule an appointment with ECHO: https://wearetheecho.setmore.com

    38 min

  6. 09/01/2020

    The Importance of Community Care

    Kelley sits down with Carlyn Menser and Susan Fowler, two busy moms who know a thing or three about margin and what can happen when busyness forces you toward chaos and isolation and what to to help families who are drowning.

    51 min

  7. 08/18/2020

    Advocating for Your Children

    Kelley sits down with two powerhouse moms, Lauren Tremper and Lindsey Strickland, who know a thing or two about the ins and outs of advocacy. Lauren (Entrusted Network, Norfolk VA) and Lindsey (Worth the Conversation, Seattle, WA) are moms who lead advocacy organizations. They discuss IEPs, navigating the medical system, the strain advocacy can place on friendships, family, church, professionally, and how to find a community when it seems like your support is nowhere to be found.

    1h 17m

  8. 08/05/2020

    The Six Needs of Every Child

    In this episode we hear from Dr. Jeffrey and Amy Olrick, authors of "The 6 Needs of Every Child," and founders of GrowingConnected.com, as they unpack the importance of understanding the needs your child is attempting to communicate to you. By integrating the science of connection with practical tools, their guidebook offers a trustworthy road map for the journey of imperfect parenting.   Learn more about the six needs and buy your copy today by visiting https://www.thesixneeds.com.   If you live in the Coastal Virginia area and are parenting children impacted by trauma, we'd like to send you a copy of this book as a gift. Click this link (https://wearetheecho.typeform.com/to/whVARcjH) and tell us where to send it and we'll make sure you have this resource in your hands.

    1h 6m

  9. 07/02/2020

    Racial Disparity in Foster Care

    In this episode we talk with Dr. Bryce Johnson, an administrator with Hampton City Schools in Hampton, VA, Edwin and Arial Jones, pastors at The Bridge Church and advocates for racial reconciliation in the Coastal Virginia area, and Aaron and Monique Ransom, veteran foster parents and fellow podcasters at the Fostering Hope Podcast. When looking at census documents for our nation's foster care system, there is one glaring piece of data that is impossible to overlook: Black children are over-represented and Black foster parents are under-represented.  Black individuals in America comprise approximately 15% of the entire population, yet in foster care, more than 50% of the children are Black. There are significant contributors to this disparity: systemic problems, educational, training, and informational gaps, fatherlessness, criminal rehabilitation practices, etc. And as varied as the causes, a variety of approaches is needed to help re-balance the ratio to more accurately reflect society.

    1h 6m
  10. Who We Are, What We Do, and Why You Should Care

    06/03/2020

    Who We Are, What We Do, and Why You Should Care

    Randall and Kelley Nichols are founders of We Are the ECHO, a nonprofit in the Coastal Virginia area working to help solve the crisis vulnerable families are facing: isolation. Their work primarily focuses on foster care, adoption, and strengthening at-risk families to ensure every child knows the stability of a lasting, loving family.

    36 min
  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Foster care and adoption can be lonely, challenging, and sometimes painful paths to navigate. Maybe you long for a steady and comforting voice to talk you through this expansive wilderness you're in; something to serve as a reminder that you're not alone; a familiar echo of home and stability. We hope you find that here. We are the echo.

Information

  • Creator
    We Are the ECHO
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2021
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © We Are the ECHO