Episode 104 | Part One: Ruth White, Executive Director, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Wilmington

ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

Katie speaks with Ruth White, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, about her career in improving public policy and expanding housing resources for families and youth in child welfare. Ruth discusses her work with the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, explaining the importance of the Family Unification Program in providing housing vouchers for at-risk families. She delves into the Foster Youth to Independence initiative, which she helped develop to provide on-demand housing vouchers for youth aging out of foster care. Ruth addresses common misconceptions about child welfare funding and housing authority cooperation, offering practical advice for listeners interested in advocating for foster youth. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing structures and programs to support young people transitioning out of foster care, highlighting the multifaceted approach needed for their successful independence.