Charity Aids ‘Kinship’ Parents

Kinship parents—those who take in the children of relatives or friends—often do not receive the help and guidance a foster parent would, so a Colorado woman founded a charity to fill this gap, reports The Daily Times-Call, in Longmont, Colo.

Barbara Robertson was herself a kinship parent, receiving custody of her husband’s cousin’s two children with no advance warning, as is often the case in kinship custody situations, according to the newspaper. Already struggling to support her own three children, Ms. Robertson did not know where to turn for aid.

So she founded the nonprofit Kinship Cares to provide emergency help to others in her situation. Typical care packages include children’s clothing, shoes, a teddy bear, and toiletries. She also provides advice on education and medical issues and support for those who suddenly find themselves responsible for the care of children.