Kindred Connections

A support network for families in crisis, providing mentorship and temporary homes for children while parents work toward stability.

Teen Mom and Infant Find Stability and Hope 

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Earlier this year, Kindred Connections received a call about a 16-year-old mother who had spent most of her life in foster care. She adored her two-month-old son, but like many young parents who have grown up without stable, supportive adults, she faced overwhelming challenges. Youth in foster care who become parents often struggle to stay connected with their babies, not because of a lack of love, but because they have little experience with consistent caregiving themselves. Without the right support, it can be difficult for young families to remain safely together. 

When Kindred Connections met this young mom, she was doing her best in circumstances no teenager should have to navigate alone. She had very few adults she could trust, very few relationships that affirmed her, and she was deeply afraid of being separated from her son. As she held him, tears landing softly on his blanket, she made the courageous decision to trust Kindred Connections to help her keep her little family intact. 

What happened next felt nothing short of miraculous. A Host Family stepped forward immediately, opening their home so the baby could be cared for safely while mom received the support she needed. After just a week of stabilizing with Kindred Connections, mother and son were able to transition together into a residential program where she could begin healing, build parenting skills, and continue nurturing the bond she already had with her baby. 

Thanks to the immediate response of the Host Family and the wraparound support from Kindred Connections, this young mom moved from crisis to connection – and toward a future where she and her child can grow together. 

Learn more about Kindred Connections

Ben’s Kindred Connections

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Ben has been hosted with Kindred Connections for eight months now, and he is thriving.  Ben was adopted internationally two years ago at the age of 14.  Ben lived in an orphanage (called a foundation), he lived in a foster home, and then back to the foundation when he was older.  Ben has a great disposition full of jokes, inquiring questions, lively conversations and pestering those he loves most.  His life has been one of joy, hardship, and unfortunately trauma.  Can you imagine moving to a different country, joining a new family, and having all the expectations that school, family and society places when you are just 14 years old?  Add in trauma and family disruption from your home country…that is a lot on a young man whose brain isn’t fully developed.

Trauma is a beast, and it will disrupt relationships, emotions, and reactions (to name a few).  Ben’s adoptive family were not able to attend to Ben’s needs and a break in the relationship brought Ben and his adoptive Mom to Kindred Connections.  Through meetings, and careful consideration KC staff reached out to a wonderful Host Family about hosting Ben for nine months.  This Host Family said yes after hearing the need and praying about the opportunity.  Host Dad and Host Mom have embraced Ben as a son and they have given Ben the support and encouragement he needed, along with a fresh start.  Ben is enjoying the new community he is in, he has a job, he is playing soccer and enjoys attending YoungLife.  Ben has asked to stay longer, and Host parents have happily agreed.  He will finish High School and graduate with friends.

Recently Ben needed a bike to ride to work, friends houses, and school.  He saved up some money but still needed about $150. Kindred Connections put a request out to volunteers, and within an hour had the complete amount.  Ben is riding his bike to activities, saving his family time, and now has the freedom and responsibility to get himself to work and school. 

The kindness of volunteers never ceases to amaze us. They hear a story and respond to the need. Whether hosting and embracing a hurting teen, or donating money to help fund a need, kind KC volunteers just give and give.

We thank these volunteers from the bottom of our hearts!

A Home For Logan

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A call recently came to Kindred Connections from an attorney working to help a teen through a time of crisis. The boy’s life at home had been a struggle, and he had been kicked out, through no fault of his own. This young boy (we’ll call him Logan) was heading to Oregon Youth Challenge Program (OYCP) and had no place to live for the month before he started his program.

Logan’s lawyer had called 20 different agencies in their county, but could not find a place for him to live for the month before his move to Bend. He then called Kindred Connections and after reaching out to the volunteers a couple stepped forward ready to bring Logan into their home and lives.

Over the next weeks this couple helped Logan get a short-term job, a gym pass, new insurance, and complete many of his OYCP requirements and they showed Logan love. When he left their home to transition to another host home (they had vacation plans), they told Logan that they would continue to be in his life. Logan said “Wow…I didn’t expect them to say that. I thought I didn’t have anyone in my life I could count on and now I have them. They are kind of like parents now.”

These moments remind us that Kindred Connections volunteers seek to shine love on those hurting, in need, and struggling, and they do this as volunteers, without anything in return. These volunteers offer time, resources, open their homes and continue to give selflessly. It is a joy for all of us to witness…and the volunteers always say they are the ones blessed when hosting a youth.

Families in Need

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Kindred Connections helps kids find their way to adulthood. The staff and volunteers recently helped teenager, Sherrie, move to a host family when she needed to find an alternative living space away from an alcoholic father. Sherrie finished high school this year and is preparing for college. Kindred Connections staff and volunteers helped Sherrie complete a FASFA application for college and find stable housing. She is on her way toward self-sufficiency!

Kindred Connections rallies around families in need. When families face challenges we offer the help they need to find their way through the storm.  For Misty, support allowed her to find her footing as a single mother in the middle of a divorce. Volunteers helped Misty with transportation to appointments, taking kids for activities like ice skating and ice cream and provided child care while Misty studied for Tech school exams. Volunteers even brought fire wood and meals on hectic nights. This family is now stable and safe and have developed a network of support families to lean on when needed.

Thanks to our Donors for supporting kids and families by supporting Kindred Connections!