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When Madi talks about kinship care, she describes it as “messy, but beautiful.” It’s a phrase that pretty much sums up her family’s journey and her heart for supporting other caregivers in the same shoes.

Madi’s passion for children started years ago when she served as a missionary in the Philippines, working with orphans. Later, while earning her Master’s in Social Work, Madi and her husband Johnathan talked about fostering or adopting one day. 

Six months after they married, the couple learned Johnathan’s sister was pregnant in Texas. When her baby, named Chosyn, entered foster care, Madi and Johnathan felt called to step up. For Johnathan, kinship care was already personal, as he and his siblings were raised and adopted by their grandparents.

“We just knew it was what God was telling us to do. She was family and we couldn’t not say yes,” Madi said.

Because Chosyn was located across state lines, her case went through the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). Those cases often take a year, but for Madi and Johnathan the process moved quickly. “It took about four months before the paperwork was finished and they flew her out to us, which was unheard of,” Madi said. 

Madi and Johnathan’s family grew much sooner than they’d ever expected. Chosyn came into their care about two weeks after their first wedding anniversary. Last August, just after she turned two, Chosyn was officially adopted into their family. Then, about seven months ago, the family welcomed another child, a son named Miles. “Chosyn loves her little brother. I love seeing their bonds form,” said Madi.

Navigating family ties hasn’t always been simple, but it has been important to Madi and Johnathan. They make a point to send photos and hold video calls with Chosyn’s birth mom. They also keep in touch with her three older brothers, who live with their great-grandmother. “It’s a blessing to have those connections,” said Madi.

Madi also shared that kinship caregivers often face unique challenges. Oftentimes, kinship families who aren’t licensed to foster go without access to resources, or aren’t aware of what’s out there. They say yes to a placement because it’s family, even when they have no plans to add to their family.

Fortunately, Madi and Johnathan had some time to prepare for Chosyn’s arrival, but most kinship families accept placements at the very last minute. 

Community support has also made a difference for this family. A friend invited Madi to Foster Village’s Moms Support Group, where she met other kinship families and shared their struggles. Her family also benefitted from Caregiver Night Out events and the annual Fall Family Photos (booking is now open for the Oct 18th sessions!).

“It means a ton to have professional family photos,” Madi said. “It’s something we look forward to every year. It’s fun to compare how our family grows year after year.”

Now, Madi is stepping into a new role as Foster Village’s Caregiver/Kinship Support and Education Specialist. In this role, she will provide one-on-one support for caregivers, helping them prepare for challenges, connect with resources, and learn new ways to care for kids who have been through trauma. “If nothing else, education helps you as a caregiver stay calmer and be more mindful when you parent,” Madi explained.

Her hope is to also bring more attention to the unique needs of kinship caregivers. She says that kinship care is beneficial for kids because it allows them to keep those connections that often get lost when a kid goes into the system. 

“Any amount of connection a child can keep is beneficial for their development and might help lessen, if even just a little, the trauma of being removed from their home,” said Madi.

➡️ Be the village for kinship families like Madi’s right here in Northeast Kansas. Join The Village Partner Community of monthly donors.