- August 28, 2026
When a child cannot safely remain with their parents, the first question should not only be, “Where can this child go?”
It should also be, “Who already loves this child?”
That is the heart of kinship care.
Kinship care happens when a child is cared for by a relative or someone with a close emotional connection to the family. This could be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, cousin, godparent, family friend, or another trusted adult who steps in during a difficult season.
For many children, kinship care means more than having a roof over their heads. It means staying connected to their family history, culture, school, siblings, neighborhood, and sense of identity. It means being held by someone who may already know their favorite food, their bedtime routine, their fears, and the small details that make them feel safe.
Kinship care helps children keep a sense of belonging
When children are separated from their parents, the experience can be overwhelming. In many cases, they are not only leaving a home. They may also be leaving behind familiar rooms, routines, pets, schools, friends, and the people who know their story.
Kinship caregivers help soften that loss.
- A grandmother who opens her home.
- An aunt who rearranges her life overnight.
- A family friend who says, “They can stay with me.”
- An older sibling who becomes a source of comfort and stability.
These caregivers become bridges between what a child has lost and what they still need: safety, love, familiarity, and belonging.
The quiet sacrifices of kinship caregivers
Many kinship caregivers step into this role suddenly. They may receive a call with little time to prepare. They may need to find extra beds, buy clothes, gather school supplies, adjust work schedules, attend appointments, and navigate legal or child welfare systems they never expected to face.
And they often do all of this while carrying their own emotional weight.
Some are grandparents living on fixed incomes. Some are aunts or uncles already raising their own children. Some are relatives trying to keep siblings together. Some are close family friends who simply refuse to let a child feel alone.
Their love is powerful, but love alone does not cover every need.
Kinship families often need clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, transportation support, guidance, emotional encouragement, and community resources. They need people around them who understand that stepping in for a child is beautiful, but it can also be hard.
Why support like this matters
Supporting kinship families is one way communities can help children experience stability with dignity.
A bag of clothing can help a child start school with confidence.A new winter jacket can make a caregiver feel less alone.A birthday gift can remind a child that their special day still matters.A laptop can remove a barrier to learning.A holiday meal can make a young person feel remembered.
These may seem like simple gestures, but for a child or caregiver in the middle of transition, they can communicate something deeper:
You are seen.You are supported.You matter.
How Because One Matters supports kinship families
At Because One Matters, we believe every child deserves dignity, joy, and real hope. Our work supports children impacted by foster care, adoption, kinship care, and underserved communities through programs that meet both immediate and long-term needs.
Through the Clothing Boutique, children can shop for free and choose clothing, toiletries, books, and essential items in a warm, welcoming environment. This is not just about giving children things. It is about giving them choice.
Choice matters because many children in transition have already lost control over so much. Being able to pick out their own pajamas, jacket, book, or comfort item can help restore a small but meaningful sense of confidence.
Our programs also create moments of celebration and support throughout the year, from back-to-school initiatives to birthday wishes, holiday giving, and mentorship opportunities. Each effort is rooted in the belief that children and young people deserve to feel valued, not forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions: Kinship Care
What is the difference between kinship care and foster care? Foster care typically involves unrelated, licensed caregivers arranged through the child welfare system. Kinship care involves relatives or close family connections — and can be either formal (through the system) or informal (family-arranged without court involvement). A child can be in kinship foster care, meaning they are placed with a relative who has been licensed as a foster caregiver.
Do kinship caregivers receive financial support? It depends on the arrangement. Kinship caregivers who are licensed as foster parents may receive the same foster care stipend as unrelated foster families. Informal kinship caregivers — those who step in outside the child welfare system — often receive little to no financial support, even though they are meeting the same needs. Some states have kinship navigator programs and subsidized guardianship assistance. Eligibility varies significantly by state.
Can a kinship caregiver adopt the child they are caring for? Yes. If a child cannot safely return to their birth parents and the kinship caregiver is willing and eligible, they can become the child’s adoptive parent. This is one of the preferred permanency outcomes in the child welfare system because it maintains family connection while providing legal permanence.
What is informal kinship care? Informal kinship care happens when a family member or close family friend takes in a child without involvement from the child welfare system or the courts. These arrangements are often made quickly to keep a child safe and are not counted in official foster care statistics — which is why the number of children in kinship care is likely much higher than reported.
How can I support a kinship family in my community? Practical support matters most. Donating clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, and household essentials directly helps kinship families meet urgent needs. Connecting caregivers with local resources, offering transportation, or simply checking in can reduce isolation. Organizations like Because One Matters provide direct support to kinship families through clothing boutiques, birthday programs, and back-to-school initiatives.
What is a kinship navigator program? A kinship navigator program helps relative caregivers find and access the services, benefits, and support they need. These programs exist in many states and are designed specifically to help kinship families navigate a system that was not always built with them in mind. Contact your state’s child welfare agency to find out what’s available locally.
At Because One Matters, we believe every child deserves dignity, joy, and real hope — and that the families who step up for children deserve real support too.
The Clothing Boutique allows children to shop for free and choose their own clothing, toiletries, books, and essential items in a warm, welcoming space. This is not just about giving children things. It is about giving them choice — something many children in transition have lost. Being able to pick out their own jacket, pajamas, or comfort item can restore a small but meaningful sense of agency and confidence.
Additional programs throughout the year — including back-to-school support, birthday wishes, holiday giving, and mentorship opportunities — are rooted in the same belief: children and young people deserve to feel valued, not forgotten.
Every initiative is designed with dignity at the center. Because how we support families matters just as much as that we do.
How the community can help
Kinship families are often holding children together during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. But they should not have to do it alone.
You can support them by donating essential items, sponsoring a child’s wish, volunteering your time, partnering with a local nonprofit, or simply learning more about the realities these families face.
Sometimes, helping a child heal starts with helping the family that chose to stay.
Kinship caregivers remind us that family is not only defined by biology. It is also defined by presence, sacrifice, and the courage to say yes when a child needs someone most.
And when a community surrounds these families with compassion, resources, and dignity, we help children hold on to something every child deserves:
A place to belong.
Published by Because One Matters — serving children impacted by foster care, adoption, and kinship care with support that restores dignity and opens doors to opportunity.
Last updated: June 2026
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Adopt an Item Campaign
We’re excited to launch our new Adopt an Item Campaign! Individuals, churches, businesses, and groups can choose a specific item from our Clothing Boutique to “adopt” and commit to helping us keep that item stocked for one year. This gives our community a simple, meaningful way to help us consistently provide new clothing and everyday essentials to children and youth impacted by foster care.
Ready to choose your item? Scan the QR code on the image or click the link to pick the item you’d love to adopt and become an Item Champion!
