Kinship Care Story: Life as a Single Caregiver

When Shannon became the primary caregiver for her grandson at just 2½ years old, she never imagined the journey they would take together.

Shannon’s son had lost his battle with addiction. Her grandson’s mother is still struggling with her own. Left without a stable home, Shannon stepped in and made sure her grandson had the love, stability, and support every child deserves.

Now nearly 10 years old, her grandson has spent the majority of his life in his grandmother’s care. And while Shannon has always found a way to make it work, being a single caregiver with ongoing health issues has brought more than its fair share of challenges.

Earlier this year, Shannon’s car broke down, forcing her to use all her available funds to repair it. That left her behind on rent—with no way to catch up before the next month’s bill came due.

“I’m currently behind on my rent,” Shannon told us. “My vehicle broke down and I used all my money to get it fixed.”

That’s where Step Up Parents came in. Thanks to our generous supporters, we were able to provide Shannon with $300 to help cover her rent and get her back on her feet.

“Thank you for helping with my rent. I’m now caught up,” Shannon shared. “The help is beyond appreciated.”

At Step Up Parents, we believe that kinship caregivers like Shannon shouldn’t have to choose between keeping a roof over their heads and meeting life’s unexpected costs. They’ve stepped up for the children in their lives—and we step up for them.

Thank you to all our donors and supporters who make stories like Shannon’s possible. This is why we step up.

You can help caregivers like Shannon today. Your donation provides direct financial support to kinship families facing real, everyday challenges. Whether it’s keeping the lights on, covering rent, or simply ensuring stability, every dollar makes a meaningful impact. Donate now to step up for the families who step in. Together, we can lift up the caregivers who give children a safe, loving place to grow.