When Love Steps In | Recognizing Kinship Care This September

Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and connected. When children cannot stay with their parents, relatives and close family friends often step in to provide care. This type of care is known as kinship care, and September is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the caregivers who make it possible.

What is Kinship Care?
Kinship care occurs when grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, or trusted family friends open their homes and hearts to children in need. This arrangement provides children with stability, love, and a sense of belonging, keeping them connected to their family and culture during difficult times.

Why It Matters
In the United States, more than 2.6 million children are being raised in kinship care arrangements (Children’s Defense Fund, 2023). Research shows that children placed with relatives experience greater emotional well-being, fewer placement disruptions, and stronger ties to their family heritage. Kinship caregivers not only provide safety and daily care but also preserve family connections that nurture a child’s identity and hope for the future.

Thornwell’s Commitment
At Thornwell, we believe that children thrive best when surrounded by people who love them. That’s why we support kinship families with resources, encouragement, and practical assistance. Whether it’s offering guidance through challenges, providing access to programs that strengthen family bonds, or simply being a steady presence during uncertain times, we are here to help families stay strong. When caregivers feel supported, children benefit from that support.

This Kinship Care Month, we celebrate the heroes who keep families together. Thank you for showing children what it means to be cherished, supported, and never alone. Your love is building a foundation of hope that lasts a lifetime.