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Every Step of the Way: Conversations that Inspire

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by Children's Aid

5.0(5 reviews)

10 episodes

Updated Daily

Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸

Podcast Authority

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FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality49

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YouTube82

Engagement32

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Podcast Overview

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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🇺🇲

Publishing Since

2/20/2025

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🇺🇸 Charts #3

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Spotify 827

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Beta

FairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more

Quality49

Social0

YouTube82

Engagement32

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30 minutes

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Recent Episodes

July 2, 2026

Hubs of Opportunity

In this episode of “Every Step of the Way,” Children’s Aid leaders Drema Brown and Abe Fernández sit down with alumna Chanel A. Ramírez to talk about the transformative impact of community schools. Chanel reflects on her journey from student to staff member at a Children’s Aid community school, and how those experiences sparked her path to becoming a neuroscience researcher. The conversation explores how Children’s Aid community schools create real opportunity through trusted relationships, enriching after-school programs, meaningful parent engagement, and a commitment to supporting the whole child. Later in the episode, alumna Troy Brown joins the conversation to share how attending a Children’s Aid community school from kindergarten through eighth grade shaped his academic confidence, social development, and college success.

June 23, 2026

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<ul><li>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.</li><li>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.</li><li>Health Connections — Children's Aid's healthcare home, part of the Health and Wellness Division overseen by Rhonda Braxton.</li><li>Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Referenced as the hospital where Karina received her cancer diagnosis and treatment.</li><li>Administration for Children's Services (ACS) — The New York City agency through which children enter the foster care system.</li><li>Columbia University — Where Karina completed her undergraduate degree.</li><li>(Coming next episode) Children's Aid Community Schools Program — Schools as environments that support the whole child, not just a place for learning.</li></ul>

June 22, 2026

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.

10 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

What is Every Step of the Way: Conversations that Inspire?: 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.
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates daily.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Information about guest appearances is not available.

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