High-school teacher and nonprofit founder Diana Liberto Grove shares how she and her husband began fostering teens—and why she launched Shifting Gears to support youth ages 16–25 as they transition out of care. From Sunday dinners and tutoring to driver’s ed partnerships and a vision for tiny-home communities and an emergency shelter, Diana lays out practical, community-powered solutions anyone can help with. It’s a hopeful, action-oriented conversation about turning compassion into infrastructure.
Sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union
Guest Bio:
Diana Liberto Grove is the co-founder of Shifting Gears, a Maryland-based nonprofit focused on helping foster youth (16–25) build independence through life skills, education, employment, housing support, and community. A longtime Harford County high-school teacher and foster/adoptive mom, Diana creates safe spaces and trusted relationships that carry teens into adulthood—with programs like tutoring, Sunday dinners, creative outlets, and career readiness.
Main Topics:
· Diana’s path into fostering teens and adopting (why teens need homes, trust, and consistency)
· The birth of Shifting Gears and its focus on ages 16–25 (in-care to independence)
· Current programs: Sunday dinners, book club, tutoring, driver’s ed partnership, creative/skills shop plans
· The big vision: tiny-home community, adult “boys & girls club” space, and an emergency shelter
· Fundraising and volunteers: board needs, background checks, care closet, and in-kind skills (plumbing, design, tutoring, etc.)
· Hard realities & hope: outcomes after aging
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