Bonus Babies
The Anthem Award winning BONUS BABIES podcast is the only one of its kind that features the compelling true-life hard-hitting stories of those with a lived foster care experience and the people who care for them––all via the unique 360* lens of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. Through raw first-hand accounts, BONUS BABIES reveals the daunting complexity of the foster care world while documenting the challenges, failures and successes of the system as well as the people and the agencies involved. The creator and host, Jayne Amelia Larson, is a CASA - a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer for youth in foster care. In the same way a CASA works, she explores all things in the foster care maze by talking to kids, parents, caregivers, attorneys, social workers, therapists, adoptees, adoptive parents, members of community and social programs...anybody and everybody who will speak to her to keep the conversation open and the information flowing about all things CASA––to give a forum to help people understand what it's like to have a lived foster care experience. Original music by Christina Apostolopoulos. Emma Karpman is our Social Media Manager. Audio engineering and mixing by Adam "Yukon" Harr of Blue Oak Mastering. Executive Producer is Jake Eberle. Cover art by John Crowther.
Bonus Babies
America Gutierrez: I Am Not Going To Be Silenced Anymore
Jayne Amelia speaks with foster care alum America Gutierrez. America is a passionate advocate for mental health, firmly guided by the belief that our voices are our most potent tools. With unwavering determination, she fearlessly shares her personal journey, notably her harrowing experiences within the foster care system. Through her advocacy efforts, she aims to illuminate critical conversations surrounding the welfare of youth who, like her, have faced profound challenges.
Born to Mexican immigrant parents, America inherited a spirit of resilience from her mother, who instilled in her the unwavering strength to overcome any setback that life might throw her way. Actively engaged with organizations, she provides her lived experiences to contribute to discussions on topics such as homelessness, foster care, and mental health.
Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology, America aspires to offer deeper insights into the long-lasting effects of childhood trauma, with a primary goal of reforming the foster care system. She is a dreamer who relentlessly strives to achieve her goals, even when they appear insurmountable. Her hope is to serve as an inspiration to those who have been silenced, showing them that their voices can be a catalyst for change.
California Youth Connection
iFoster
Please call 988 or text 741741 for help if you're in crisis.
See bonusbabies.org to learn more about what we are doing and please donate to support us by making a 100% tax-deductible contribution. EVERY PENNY OF YOUR CONTRIBUTION GOES TO RECORDING AND PLATFORMING THESE STORIES. Yeah!
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