To view the accompanying photo essay, click here. To read the accompanying article, clickhere.
Stepping Out, Stepping In explores the challenges young women face when transitioning out of foster care. Through conversations with advocates and researchers, the podcast highlights the realities of housing insecurity, vulnerability and resilience, while exploring how community support can create brighter futures.
Episode 1: The Vision: Mama Hattie’s House
We sat down with Ms. Michaele Rachlin, the head chair of Mama Hattie’s House. She shares her perspective on why this safe haven is needed for young women aging out of foster care, the challenges of building such a project and the vision for how Mama Hattie’s House will change futures in Miami-Dade.
Episode 2: Beyond the System: How Girl Power Rocks shapes young women
What does it look like when a young girl finds her voice and the support she needs to thrive? In this episode, Chardonnay, a proud alumna of the Girl Power Rocks program, opens up about her personal journey. She shares how the mentorship, guidance and resources she received from the program became stepping stones toward confidence, resilience and new opportunities.
Mama Hattie’s House is the next step — a place where that same spirit of mentorship and empowerment will meet the unique needs of young women aging out of foster care.
Giselle Forero is a student at Florida International University who is passionate about
the music and entertainment industry. Forero is a designer and creative arts specialist at Broward College. She creates videos, designs, and produces marketing content. Forero has freelanced within the F1 Miami Grand Prix marketing team and has collaborated with local businesses to manage and create content for social media platforms. She has also contributed to music publications as a concert photographer. Forero will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor’s degree in digital communication and media in Summer 2026.
Bautista Samperi is a senior at Florida International University who is interested in digital journalism and broadcasting. Samperi is the sports director for PantherNOW where he oversees the coverage of university athletics. He interned at CNN as a researcher in Atlanta and also worked at Telemundo during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Samperi hopes to work as a journalist at a media and entertainment company in the future. Bautista will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor’s degree in digital communication and media in Spring 2026.
Nathan Masachi is a senior majoring in Digital Communication focussing on Interactive Media. Nathan loves creative design and explores physical and digital design tools ranging from architecture to industrial design, and UI/UX design. Nathan aspires to be a UI/UX designer, a pathway he hopes will provide foundational skills for developing his brand. He enjoys simulation games, 3D modeling, and going on random exploratory trips with friends.
Zipporah Hayes is a senior at Florida International University who is passionate about using media as a tool for education and empowerment.
Hayes has hands-on experience in casting for major film projects and producing live music projects. She hopes to produce stories of inspiration that highlight underrepresented voices and drive meaningful conversations in the entertainment industry through digital media and broadcasting.
Hayes has an associate's degree in business management with a focus on marketing. She will graduate from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media with a bachelor's degree in digital communication and media in Spring 2026.
