Raising Your Grandchild? This Fair Can Provide Help

More than 40,000 children in the Tampa Bay area live with grandparents, aunts and other relatives. 

It's with these children in mind that The Children's Home Inc. in partnership with local agencies will host the Kinship Cares Resource Fair.

The fair will take place Saturday, Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Family Place, 9391 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa.

More than 25 local agencies will offer information, share tips and get kinship caregivers connected to local services. The event will feature door prizes, giveaways, refreshments and activities for the children. 

The Kinship Cares Resource Fair also is an opportunity to find out the latest about legal options and assistance, applying for public benefits, preparing for the new school year, local resources and support for the family.

“Kinship was there for me when I thought that no one else could help me or cared,” said Tena Randecker. Randecker has been the legal guardian of her great-niece and -nephew for three years. The children were placed in her care after being removed from their home due to domestic violence.  

When Randecker contacted Kinship, she was connected with community resources to help her and her family.  

“[The Kinship program] helped me get the counselors, with support in support groups and other community resources that I did not know existed. We would not be where we are today without their help," she said.

Kinship Care Services are a resource to strengthen families, prevent children from entering foster care and protect children from abuse and neglect. Last year, through support of partner agencies, The Children’s Home Kinship Services program provided services to more than 500 families in the Tampa Bay area.

For more information about the Kinship Cares Resource Fair, call 813-901-3410 or 1-888-920-8761, or visit The Children’s Home website at www.childrenshome.org.