Stepping Up for Family: Miss T’s Kinship Care Story
In honor of Kinship Care Month this September, we’re celebrating the relatives and loved ones who step up to provide children with stability and support.
One of those people is ‘Miss T,’ who has cared for her great-niece since she was just two weeks old.
“Her mom just wasn’t in a good place to be able to care for her, so I knew I needed to step up and be there for this child,” she said.
Now almost eight, her great-niece is in her care through Wellpoint Care Network’s Voluntary Kinship and Subsidized Guardianship program.
For Miss T, kinship care is about giving her great-niece the childhood and support she deserves.
“I just want the best for her, she deserves that,” added Miss T. “I lived a rough childhood myself, not really having my mom or dad there for me. I just want her to have a better life than I did.”
One of the most important things Miss T gives her great-niece is encouragement.
“I knew how my childhood was, not really having that support system or somebody to be proud of me or encourage me to be a better me. Even at a young age, kids need that encouragement, they need to be uplifted.”
And the love goes both ways.
“She keeps me going and gives me purpose. Just knowing someone is depending on me.”
Along the way, Wellpoint Care Network has been there with resources, support, and somewhere to turn when things get tough.
“Especially around the holidays or back to school time, just knowing what is available has been a tremendous help,” says Miss T. “I have a larger family, but a lot of the burden has always fallen on me. Everyone turns to me for help, so it can be a lot. Being able to have someone in my corner and helping me has been a huge support. They say you make your own family, and Wellpoint Care really feels like family to me.”
Her experience has even inspired Miss T to consider becoming a foster parent and opening her home to other children in the future.
Her advice to anyone considering stepping up?
“There are a lot of kids out there that need somebody. I think the most important thing is just letting them know they have a friend, and somebody who really cares for them and loves them.”
For Miss T, stepping up for family changed both of their lives. This Kinship Care Month, learn more about kinship care and the support available to families who are stepping up for the children they love.
