In this May 17, 2026 episode, we talk with Luiz Juarez, the Retention & Growth Coordinator and John Small, the Licensing Coordinator of the National Youth Advocate Program. Luiz and John display what foster care is and how you can take a step in improving the life of a child during National Foster Care Month. Photo: 92.5 Kickin' Country
Lowcountry Forever – National Youth Advocate Program – May 17, 2026
LOWCOUNTRY FOREVER – May 17, 2026
GUEST: Luiz Juarez, Retention & Growth Coordinator and John Small, Licensing Coordinator
ISSUE: Foster Care/Foster Parenting
May is National Foster Care Month and in South Carolina now there are as many as 3,000 children searching for Foster Care. John Small, a Licensing Coordinator with the National Youth Advocate Program, provided an explanation of what foster care is and how NVAP works to match children with a foster family. Small shared the characteristics of an ideal foster family and the steps a family needs to take to get started. Luiz Juarez, the organization’s Retention & Growth Coordinator, discussed the misconception about foster care people may have as well as the emotional challenges foster children face. Both spoke about the end goal of foster care being, when possible, the reunification of the family.
Monday, October 19, 202610/19/2026
In this October 18, 2026 episode, Layla Luna, Founder and CEO of Just Bee, discusses her upcoming autism awareness event – themed around Arabian Nights – happening October 30th. See how you can get involved and make a difference.
Monday, October 19, 202610/19/2026
In this October 18, 2026 episode, we chat with Suzanne Auld, the Founder and Director of BarBrewGrass, a local non-profit, about their upcoming 10th annual festival of the same name. The festival takes place on Sunday, November 8th.
Monday, October 12, 202610/12/2026
In this October 11, 2026 episode, we discuss genealogy and history with Hester McFadden of the Liberty Hill Historical & Genealogical Society and Lori Johnson, President of the Lowcountry Gullah Geechee Chapter. The Sankofa Initiative aims to help bridge the gap between older and younger generations and to help the youth learn family history.
Monday, October 12, 202610/12/2026
In this October 11, 2026 episode, we speak to the Director of Development for Light from Light, Keely Telfer, about her organization and it’s upcoming event, set to showcase how Light from Light is making an impact on the people in Haiti.
Monday, October 5, 202610/05/2026
In this October 4, 2026 episode, we speak with Nicole Harvey and Tracy Richter from the Town of Mount Pleasant about the upcoming 38th Children’s Day Festival happening at the Park West Recreation Complex. Find out what’s happening, where it’s happening, and how to attend right here on Lowcountry Forever.
