Guests: Azim Khamisa and Lori Weiner

Angelica welcomes Azim Khamisa and Lori Weiner from the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) to the show today. Azim Khamisa is a bestselling author and NYAP’s Director of Development in California. Lori Weiner is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the field of social work for over ten years in foster care, international adoptions, and therapeutic services with children and their families. She has been with NYAP since April 2010 as the Licensing Coordinator of the only West Coast NYAP office in San Diego, CA. NYAP currently serves youth and families in the following eight states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia. The National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) has provided cost effective, community based services and support to children, youth and families since 1978. During the 30 years of NYAP’s existence, the child welfare community has evolved from being almost singularly focused on working with children identified as abused, neglected, dependent or delinquent, to the philosophy NYAP has embraced since 1978; that the primary focus must be holistically placed on preserving and unifying families and strengthening the communities they call home. The NYAP-CA office in San Diego works with foster youth ages 12 to 18 who are currently in the juvenile justice system and/or the social services system. We have a dynamic program and we need more foster families so that we can help more youth make changes in their lives. NYAP’s Mission: NYAP is an energetic instrument of compassion and change in the lives of children, youth, and families and the systems, structures and practices that affect them. Website: http://www.nyap.org. If you are interested in becoming a Foster Parent with NYAP, please call us at 877-692-7226/ 877-NYAP-CAN.