For nearly a decade, Kenithia Brewington has opened her heart and home to children through 海角社区鈥檚 CHIPS (Changing Horizons through Innovative Parenting Systems) program.
Her passion for fostering stems from personal experience鈥攈aving been raised by her uncle for part of her childhood, Kenithia understands the feeling of being separated from a biological parent. 鈥淚 wanted to give back to the community and help kids who feel that loss.鈥
As a CHIPS foster parent, Kenithia typically cares for two to three children at a time and has fostered approximately 18 children over the years. She approaches each child with empathy, prayer and a commitment to meeting them where they are emotionally. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 judge them based on behavior,鈥 she explains. 鈥淚 let them know this is a safe place, and I鈥檓 here for them.鈥
Kenithia is a strong advocate for the children in her care, especially when it comes to education. 鈥淪ome kids come into the system without the support they need to succeed in school,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 fight for them.鈥 One child in her care struggled for years until she personally worked with the school to get the child the tools he needed to thrive.
Balancing fostering with everyday life requires a strong support system, and Kenithia has just that. 鈥淢y family is my army,鈥 she says proudly. 鈥淓veryone accepts the kids as part of the family鈥攖hey go to events, they鈥檙e treated with love and respect, just like my own.鈥
Opening her home while raising her biological children has created a unique dynamic鈥攈er children have grown up serving as big brothers and big sisters to those in care. She also finds strength in the CHIPS network, staying connected with other foster parents and support staff including therapists and nurses.
One of her most meaningful moments was helping a child reunite with his biological mother after years in her care. Kenithia even flew out to meet the family and helped them get settled, sharing in a moment of healing and connection. That child, like many others, still calls her 鈥淎untie鈥 and keeps in touch. 鈥淚鈥檓 not a short-term solution鈥擨 become family.鈥
Her advice to potential foster parents? 鈥淏e honest with yourself. It鈥檚 not always easy, but it鈥檚 worth it. Give yourself grace, have a support system and treat each child with a clean slate.鈥
For Kenithia, fostering isn鈥檛 just a role, it鈥檚 a calling, one that continues to shape her life and the lives of the children lucky enough to land in her care.
If you would like to make a difference in a child鈥檚 life like Kenithia, consider becoming a foster parent.