Like many siblings in foster care, Brooklyn and Jordyn were separated.
After some time in foster care, Brooklyn entered kinship care with a loving relative. On her first night there, she showed her caregiver a photo of her younger sister and the special pillow Jordyn had made for her. She slept with it every night. Together, they searched for Jordyn — but they couldn’t find her.
When the caregiver began receiving support through Amara’s KinPLUS program, things changed. KinPLUS provides individualized services to kinship families — one of the few programs of its kind offered by a nonprofit foster care agency anywhere in the country.
Marissa, the family’s KinPLUS specialist, saw how overwhelmed the caregiver was and shared that respite care — a short, restorative caregiving break — was available. After thoughtful conversations with Brooklyn, the caregiver agreed to try it.
✨That’s when the magic happened.✨
The respite caregiver Amara helped connect the caregiver to just happened to be the sister of Jordyn’s adoptive mom.
When she realized the incredible coincidence, the respite caregiver immediately reached out to her sister. The adoptive mom was thrilled — she finally had the chance to connect Jordyn with her older sister. And soon, the two girls were reunited.
Today, Brooklyn and Jordyn are making up for lost time — texting, laughing, and visiting each other as often as they can. The adults in their lives are committed to keeping the girls connected and building a strong relationship with each other, so both sisters receive the support and love they deserve.
Recently, Brooklyn’s caregiver told Marissa that reconnecting with Jordyn has been the very best thing to ever happen for Brooklyn.
Jordyn’s adoptive mom is now working to become licensed to provide overnight care of Brooklyn, so the sisters can enjoy long visits and sleepovers. And this year, Brooklyn and Jordyn will get to spend one of the upcoming holidays together.
* Names changed to protect privacy.