Behind the Front Lines

Behind the Front Lines podcast hosts Allison Preston-Smith, Nate Bult, and Juan Fernández sit down for a candid exchange about their conversations with front line heroes. Hear them revisit lessons learned during the series and also their take on “what’s next” for front line heroes and those they serve. For more information on how you can get involved and to learn more about vulnerable children and families in the U.S. and around the world, visit Bethany.org

Kendra Kunst, Education Specialist at Bethany’s Transitional Living Center for unaccompanied refugee minors and Andres Rodriguez, Life skills coordinator at Bethany’s Casa del Sol group home for unaccompanied minors join us from Grand Rapids, Michigan to share about myths and misconceptions surrounding the teenage boys in their care. They open up about their dreams, backgrounds, and how working with this population has changed them personally and professionally, especially during the current pandemic.

Jamie Minick, branch director of Bethany Christian Services of Central Pennsylvania, explains how permanency and stability are the goals for kids in foster care. The reality of making that happen before the COVID-19 pandemic was already a challenge. Now, there’s even more work to be done to prioritize permanency in the foster care system. Jamie shares the impact instability can have on a child’s well-being, and how her team is getting creative to provide support to kids in foster care and foster parents. For more information or to learn how to help, visit Bethany.org/FosterCare.

Jen Strasenburgh, Bethany’s Women’s Advocate in Lancaster, PA, walks alongside women facing an unplanned pregnancy, while simultaneously living in prison due to a substance misuse issue. The ReNew program guides women who are fighting addiction and trying to keep their unborn child out of the foster care system. Join Jen as she shares her heart and compassion for sharing God’s redemptive work with these women.

Naa Mohenu, Bethany’s Country Director in Ghana, shares insight into the challenges many families face in her country. Parents without stable income pray their children don’t get sick because they can’t afford life-saving medical care while keeping food on the table. She also shares the risk for children being placed in orphanages and how her team is working to keep kids in families. To learn more about Bethany's work in Ghana, please visit Bethany.org/Ghana

Teddy Maru, a Refugee Program Manager working in Ethiopia shares insight into the world of unaccompanied children and families living in Gambella’s refugee Camp during the coronavirus outbreak. Teddy shares how the pandemic has forced his team to be creative in how they’re able to care for the refugee population living in Gambella’s camps in the safest way possible. For more information or to learn how to help, visit Bethany.org/Ethiopia.

Daisy Cordero, an Unaccompanied Child Case Manager working in New York and New Jersey risks not only her own health but also that of her children and spouse in order to continue reuniting children with their loved ones. Daisy shares how the pandemic has made her even more passionate about her job—giving children safe and loving homes even with the world in disarray. For more information or to learn how to help, visit Bethany.org/TFC.

Amee Aseltine, a therapist with the Homebuilders program, operates with one key goal in mind: to keep families together. In this episode, Amee shares how she and the Homebuilders team implement tactics to bring stability to vulnerable families, and how the coronavirus pandemic is adding additional stress and challenges to her clients. For more information or to learn how to help, visit Bethany.org/Homebuilders.

Lisa Dominguez, a human trafficking social worker in Winter Garden, Florida, shares about the extreme vulnerability of trafficking survivors during this global pandemic. In many cases, she has become their sole source for basic resources to preserve their human dignity. Hear Lisa share about building trust and protecting and providing for individuals who find themselves exposed and alone in a new country. For more information or to learn how to help, visit Bethany.org/TraffickingSurvivors.

Kibrom Tesfu, a refugee employment specialist in Allentown, Pennsylvania, shares how the coronavirus pandemic is impacting the job market for refugee families. Hear how Kibrom has engaged the local church to rally support for refugee families in need. For more information or to learn how to help, visit Bethany.org/Service/Employment-Services.

Kristen Schlee, a pregnancy counselor in Fredericksburg, Virginia, shares how current restrictions on hospital visitors affect birth moms making adoption plans. Hear what Kristen misses most about presence and touch in this highly personal role. For more information, visit ImPregnant.org.

Mandy Taylor, a parent support specialist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, shares how COVID-19 is adding extra challenges for parents working to reunite with their kids after foster care. For more information, visit Bethany.org/FosterCare