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Kinship Care refers to a temporary or permanent arrangement in which a relative or any non-relative adult takes over full-time care of a child whose biological parents are unable or unwilling to provide for the child’s care. When Kinship Care Navigator Carolyn Jenkins took over the Kinship Care program in November 2003, there were six families with ten children enrolled. Currently there are fifty-seven families and a total of eighty-eight children in the program. Although the primary duties of the navigator is to act as an advocate and as a guide through various state and local services, Morgan County Kinship Care has a support group that holds many activities and events throughout the year. In June 2005 the Kinship Care families enjoyed a day at COSI. A total of ninety-seven people made the trip on two Fun Buses with a few following in their cars. The COSI trip was sponsored in part by WMCAP, Blue Bell Diner, and Central Market. In August 2005 twelve kinship kids were treated to a day at the Wilds. These children completed summer school where they received extra help in reading and math. The highlight of this summer was the performance of a play entitled, Tweety’s Excellent Adventure that they wrote, produced, directed, and starred in. Again in August there was another very successful project – a “back to school” shopping trip where ninety-three children were able to pick out and purchase their own school clothes. This trip is planned again for this year. The circus came to town in September with sixty Kinship Kids attending. Sharon Powell, owner of Special People, donated several adult circus tickets so grandparents could attend the circus with their charges. With the help of many local businesses in Morgan County, many Kinship Kids received new winter coats and hoodies in October. A potluck was held in December with old Mr. Ho! Ho! dropping in to distribute small gifts and candy donated by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office. No big events were scheduled for January, February, or March because the weather can be very unpredictable. April came on strong however with a bowling and pizza party at the River Valley Lanes in McConnelsville. Fifty-nine kids participated in this event and devoured the twenty-four pizzas provided by Deano’s. Morris Hardware provided “goodie bags” filled with age appropriate items for each child. The middle of April to the end of May was the summer haircut event. Reflections Hair Salon in McConnelsville hosted this six week program. Many of the older girls were treated to highlights, perms, and makeup tips as well. The night of June 22, 2006 was a night that Kinship Care families will not soon forget. WMCAP sponsored a banquet honoring the Kinship Care families at the historic Stockport Mill Country Inn. Not only did the one hundred fifty-two in attendance enjoy a buffet style dinner, but were able to tour the historic mill, see the eagle’s nest, and watch the roaring Muskingum River going over Morgan County’s prettiest dam. Although the evening rains had brought humidity and near eighty-degree temperatures, many kids were seen leaving the banquet wearing their new Morgan Raider hooded sweatshirt – just in case it rained on the way home. The Morgan County Kinship Care program would like to acknowledge the following businesses, agencies, and people for aiding in the Kinship Care program through donations and time spent with the Kinship families: WMCAP, Jeff and Angie McInturf, Blue Bell Diner, Shriver’s Pharmacy, Special People, Central Market, Morris Hardware, River Valley Lanes, Deano’s Pizza, Reflections Hair Salon, Amy’s Custom T’s, Ginny’s Flower Shop, Joyce Drake, Kristi Vincent, and all the van driver employees of WMCAP. |
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Washington-Morgan Community Action Washington and Morgan Counties, Ohio |
218 Putnam Street, Marietta, OH 45750 (740) 373-374550 W. Third Street, PO Box 398, Malta, OH 43758 (740) 962-3827 |