Fostering Change Podcast | Episode 267 | Becky Santoro

As we close out an extraordinary year of Fostering Change, Rob Scheer welcomes Becky Santoro, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Foster Village Charlotte — a nonprofit reshaping foster care by focusing on the people raising and supporting children every day: foster, kinship, and birth families.

A former educator and foster parent herself, Becky witnessed firsthand how overwhelmed and isolated caregivers can feel. She also saw something powerful: children thrive when the adults caring for them are supported, equipped, and connected. That realization led her to co-found Foster Village Charlotte in 2018 — a community-driven model that has since expanded nationwide through a growing network of Foster Village affiliates.

Today, Becky and her team not only serve families across the Charlotte region, but also coach and mentor emerging affiliates across the U.S., helping communities build their own “village” of wraparound care. From practical resources to emotional connection to dignified, trauma-informed visitation spaces, Foster Village is reimagining what it means to care for children by caring for the caregivers who love them.

In This Episode, Rob and Becky Discuss:

Why Foster Village exists and how it bridges gaps between foster, kinship, and birth families
The powerful connection between caregiver support and positive child outcomes
The Connection Cottage — a trauma-informed, dignified visitation center helping families reconnect
How Foster Village Charlotte coaches and mentors new affiliates nationwide
The Foster the Movement year-end funding campaign supporting urgent needs into 2026
What resilience, compassion, and community look like in action — and what gives Becky hope for the future

This uplifting conversation is the perfect way to wrap up 2025 — rooted in gratitude, connection, and the reminder that we build stronger futures when we build them together.

Becky Santoro is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Foster Village Charlotte, an organization providing holistic support for foster, kinship, and birth families. Since 2018, Becky has grown Foster Village Charlotte into a cornerstone of community care while mentoring new Foster Village affiliates across the country. Her work strengthens families, builds community, and empowers children to thrive.

Connect with Foster Village Charlotte

Website: https://www.fostervillagecharlotte.org

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🎄 From Our Family to Yours — Happy New Year!

As we celebrate this holiday season, we wish you a New Year filled with hope, compassion, and community. Thank you for listening, sharing, and helping raise awareness for children and families impacted by foster care.

Fostering Change returns next Tuesday as we continue an incredible Season 7.

To find out more about Comfort Cases, please visit our website: www.comfortcases.org.

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To listen to previous episodes of Fostering Change, please visit: www.comfortcases.org/podcast or your favorite podcast outlets.

📩 Have thoughts or questions? Reach out at fosteringchange@comfortcases.org —we’d love to hear from you!