Hear from the First Cumberland County, Maine Kinship Family Helped by Step Up Parents

The adorable little boy pictured to the right is the nephew of Nicole, a kinship caregiver from Cumberland County, Maine. Nicole took custody of him due to his parents' struggle with substance use disorder. He has been diagnosed with ADHD and experiences emotional dysregulation, so Nicole is often seeking out opportunities for him to release his energy. Following our expansion into Cumberland County during the summer of 2024, Step Up Parents helped Nicole purchase a backyard playset for her nephew. She knew this safe, fun outdoor play area would be perfect for her nephew to run, jump, and enjoy being a kid.

"I want to express my deepest gratitude to Step Up Parents for their generosity and support," Nicole recently wrote to Step Up Parents. "As a single mother and kinship caregiver to my nephew, it’s often been a challenge to balance everything. But finding your agency has truly been a blessing to our family. Your assistance with purchasing the swingset for my nephew has brought so much joy to his life, and the Christmas gift card was such a thoughtful and much-needed surprise. It’s acts of kindness like these that make such a difference, and I am incredibly thankful for everything you’ve done to ease the load and brighten our days. Your support means more than words can express. Thank you!"

To allow us to continue supporting kinship families like Nicole's, please consider donating any amount by clicking here.