Podcast Summary

Podcast: Duologue with Leslie Heaney
Episode: Breaking the Cycle: Foster Care Advocacy in New York with Nancy Jarecki & Eyhdi Osorio
Date: December 17, 2025

Overview

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, host Leslie Heaney sits down with Nancy Jarecki, a trustee of New Yorkers for Children, and Eyhdi (“Adie”) Osorio, an alumna of foster care and Vice President (and board member) of the Youth Advisory Board at New Yorkers for Children. Together, they explore the profound challenges facing youth aging out of foster care in New York City. The discussion dives deep into personal stories, the critical support provided by New Yorkers for Children, and the future-forward initiatives meant to bridge educational, financial, and emotional gaps for these young people.

Throughout, the conversation is candid, inspiring, and solution-oriented, with strong focus on both policy and personal impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Connections to Foster Care

[02:46] Nancy Jarecki’s Story

• Nancy shares that she was adopted out of a group foster home in Kansas, highlighting her lifelong connection to the foster care system.
• "For a mother to give a child up, she had to have loved me a lot." (Nancy Jarecki, 03:18)
• Nancy’s parents instilled in her a deep sensitivity to the needs of adoptees and foster youth, especially those "aging out" of the system.

[08:09] Adie Osorio’s Journey

• Adie entered foster care at 12, after moving between several homes before living with her “grandma” (her foster parent of 10 years).
• "All her children went to college. She went to college herself. It wasn't a thought I ever had... And then she mentioned, 'Hey, do you. This is something you want?' And I'm like, 'Hey, why not?'" (Adie Osorio, 14:19)

2. Mission and Work of New Yorkers for Children

[06:44] Organizational Overview

• New Yorkers for Children was founded by Nick Scopetta with a mission to support youth transitioning out of foster care, focusing on holistic assistance—emotional, educational, and financial.
• Adie explains program components:
  • Therapy and Emotional Support: On-site therapists like Cecily provide monthly check-ins. (07:05)
  • Nick Scholars Program: Four years of financial aid for college and direct cash support.
  • Cohort Connections: Peer mentoring, matching older youth with newcomers.

[19:41] The Scope of Need

• Leslie contextualizes the challenge: about 4,000 kids remain in foster care in NYC, with many needing support as they age out.

3. The Critical Moment: Aging Out

[16:58 & 42:40] Realities of “Aging Out”

• Nancy underscores the abrupt loss of support youth experience: "Can you imagine a child who now has parents, let's say, a child who's in foster care... if at 18 or 21 it just all stopped?" (Nancy Jarecki, 16:58)
• Leslie adds: "Launching kids into the world at 18 or 21 without a safety net or support network is just not in the best interest of our society." (Leslie Heaney, 55:52)

4. Vocational Education & Career Choice Initiative

[24:23–28:41] Bridging the Gap for Non-College Bound Youth

• Nancy introduces the new 'Career Choice' program to fund vocational training and provide housing stipends, building on her parents’ legacy of supporting trade education.
• "My mom and dad would give scholarships only for vocational education... I'm trying to make a move with New Yorkers for Children to help with housing so some of these youth can not go to a four-year college." (Nancy Jarecki, 24:45)
• The group notes the urgent workforce demand for trade skills and highlights the lack of dorm-style housing for vocational students as a major barrier.
• Memorable point: "It's almost like we need to even double down and almost package a deal where if you decide as a youth you want to go out and do a trade, automatically you get room and board." (Nancy Jarecki, 27:57)

5. Community & Advocacy

[45:55–49:00] Power of Peer Support & Giving Back

• Adie describes the power of the Youth Advisory Board as a space where former foster youth can connect and directly inform programming:
  • "Everybody in this room understands. I don't have to tell you, 'Can you put yourself in my shoe?', because you were in my shoe. Maybe in a different color, a different size, but you were in that same shoe once upon a time." (Adie Osorio, 46:15)
• Nancy celebrates the organization’s responsiveness to youth voices:
  • "When I see people like 80 [Adie], how can you not get excited? How can you not just see these youth and how they are crazy smart and the drive they have?" (Nancy Jarecki, 48:20)

6. Challenges of Awareness & Access

[21:53 & 22:48] The Outreach Gap

• Nancy points to the challenge of reaching the neediest youth, especially those without proactive adult advocates:
  • "How do we get these youth to know about our program? The programs are there." (Nancy Jarecki, 21:53)
• Adie emphasizes the importance of agency communication and the value of staff who proactively reach out to campuses and guide youth through application steps.

7. Impact & Future Directions

[39:09] Organizational Agility

• Nancy highlights the organization’s adaptability: "Whether or not [new programs] work or not, we will seek them through. And as the times are changing and the needs for youth are changing, one thing that I am proud about is New Yorkers for Children will think of a program that might not be, you know, created yet and what listening to the youth and what is needed." (Nancy Jarecki, 39:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On abrupt transitions out of care:
  "The last time that they came to get me, they decided... the union would happen. And... Ethel Flintston was like, 'Oh, the outfit doesn't go with her.'" (Nancy Jarecki, 44:36)
  A powerful metaphor for the sudden loss of supports experienced by foster youth.

• On the need for vocational tracks:
  "I think college is not for everyone. Like, trust me, I was lashing out because I was stressed. So I imagine people who have a lot going on. I don't think it's for everyone and people have other interests." (Adie Osorio, 36:15)

• On community among foster alumni:
  "I love how we're in a space that just belongs to us and nobody else... So just being in a room full of people, I was like, oh, I want to do this." (Adie Osorio, 45:55)

• On volunteering or partnering:
  "They are more than happy to reach out to anyone who's interested and probably explain some of the programs and directly connect you… It is small enough that they're going to take your call." (Nancy Jarecki, 51:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:46] Nancy’s foster care background and path to NYFC
• [07:05] Adie details NYFC’s support programs
• [11:54] Adie reflects on her journey: foster care at 12, transition to college
• [16:58] Nancy on the systemic disruptions of aging out
• [19:41] NYC foster care statistics and scale of the challenge
• [24:23–28:41] The ‘Career Choice’ vocational program: vision and logistical hurdles
• [36:15] Adie critiques college as the default path and advocates for trade options
• [39:09] Nancy on the organization's willingness to innovate
• [45:55] Adie on the unique sense of community within the Youth Advisory Board
• [51:26] How to get involved with NYFC as a supporter or partner

How to Help / Get Involved

• Direct Contact: NYFC encourages interested volunteers, donors, and potential partners to reach out via their website or phone; the organization is small enough for personal engagement and quick follow-up.
• Partnerships: NYFC seeks to connect with businesses for internships, vocational placements, and job opportunities.
• Story Sharing: Even non-financial contributions—sharing experiences or becoming a mentor—are highly valued.

Closing Reflections

The episode closes with unanimous praise for the resilience and promise of young people supported by New Yorkers for Children—and the reminder that with collective action and robust, creative programming, many more foster youth can thrive.

"If you're in awe with me, you should meet the other youth. We're like, like a big unicorn." —Adie Osorio [53:42]

"There is so much need… and what an amazing way to honor your parents… to bring that program to New Yorkers for Children." —Leslie Heaney [35:04]

For more information or to support New Yorkers for Children:

• Visit their website
• Consider becoming a mentor, partner, or donor
• Tell your story—every voice adds to the awareness and impact

This summary covers all core content and is faithful to the conversational tone and spirit of the episode, providing an accessible reference for listeners and newcomers alike.