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, July 20, 202607/20/2026
In this July 19, 2026 episode, we speak with Victoria Vesce, founder of VYB Wellness and South Carolina’s representative in the Miss USA 2026 pageant. The upcoming VYB Wellness Strength in Community event seeks to help women with physical and mental wellbeing while providing a community of support and empowerment.
Monday, July 20, 202607/20/2026
In this July 19, 2026 episode, we speak with Chef Edwin Wright, Officer Jessie Demalo, and NCPD Senior Administrative Assistant Whitney Lawrence about the North Charleston Police Department’s annual back-to-school supply drive, happening August 1st.
Monday, July 13, 202607/13/2026
In this July 12, 2026 episode, we talk with Michael Allen, a historian of Gullah Geechee culture, about the upcoming Sweetgrass Festival and the history of sweetgrass baskets.
Monday, July 6, 202607/06/2026
In this July 5, 2026 episode, we speak with Justin Ramel from the Summerville YMCA about their continuing summer programs and the upcoming Summerville YMCA Youth Triathlon happening in August. Justin dives into the details about what the Youth Tri is, where it takes place, and how you can enter your child to participate today.
Monday, July 6, 202607/06/2026
In this July 5, 2026 episode, we talk with Steve Quirk, the Chief Brokerage Officer with Robinhood. Steve explains the usefulness of the new Trump Accounts, which are federally established, tax-advantaged investment account for U.S. children under 18, designed to give them a financial head start with a $1,000 government seed contribution.
