This is Our Family

Family [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee]: Noun, plural/families: 

1b. A social unit consisting of one or more adults together with the children they care for.

According to the most recent research statistic, 2.5 million grandparents are living with and serving as primary caregivers to their grandchildren. There are also primary caregivers who are family members, family friends and foster (resource) parents. For the children we see here at KIDS Center, these nontraditional families are vital because of bio-parents’ substance abuse, incarceration, death, mental illness, child neglect and/or abuse.

In the midst of this heartache and hardship, KIDS Center has the privilege of observing these nontraditional families. We provide support and education to grandparents who grieve that they are no longer able to be “fun,” but now have to offer the type of support, structure and discipline of a parent. We have wondered at the kindness of teachers, neighbors, and parents of friends, who have willingly stepped in to become a family for the children whose parents may no longer be able to care for their own children.

We have marveled at the love and courage of those adults who believed in their duty to care for children. For the children, we have witnessed the belief in themselves grow because they experienced at least one adult believe in them.

The holidays are a time when “traditional” families are depicted in stories, movies and commercials but it can also be a time to remember those children and caregivers who are not represented by the classic “Hallmark Card” celebrations. To celebrate the diversity of love and family.

In recognition of this, KIDS Center has been honored to witness family in the best definition of the word.