When 7-year-old Ava and her 8-year-old sister, Naomi, entered foster care due to concerns for their safety and well-being, their lives changed quickly. In the middle of that uncertainty, one thing remained especially important: keeping their connection to family, and to each other, as strong as possible.
When their case was referred to the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition’s Family Connections program, Family Connections Specialist Erika Hughes began searching both the maternal and paternal sides of the girls’ family for relatives who could offer support, connection and a safe home for both sisters.
Several relatives lived out of state, while others were unable to care for both girls together. Their maternal grandmother loved the girls deeply but was facing health challenges that prevented her from taking placement.
Erika continued searching until she connected with the girls’ maternal great-aunt, Maya, someone who had always been a strong support to their mother. She had no idea Ava and Naomi were in foster care.
She did, however, understand what it meant to step up for family. Maya had previously served as a kinship caregiver and had adopted a younger relative, 8-year-old Jordyn. When she learned that Ava and Naomi needed a safe place, she did not hesitate to open her home to both girls.
Ava moved in with Maya in May 2026. At just 7 years old, Ava was navigating behavioral challenges and other elevated needs while adjusting to another major change in her life. She is also loving, spunky and endlessly curious. She wants to be everyone’s friend, loves being part of the conversation and usually wants to know the “why” behind everything.
Naomi, who is quieter and more reserved, joined her sister in the home in August 2026. She loves dresses, playing in makeup and trying on wigs, and she has formed an especially close bond with Jordyn, their cousin who is close to the girls in age.
Today, Ava and Naomi are together under the same roof, attending school together, and spending their days surrounded by family. Maya has created a home where both girls can feel supported while also keeping the door open to their relationship with their mother.
As their mother works toward reunification, the girls continue to spend supervised time with her. Maya supports their visits, giving the family more opportunities to remain connected and helping Ava and Naomi maintain an important relationship during a difficult season of change.
Kinship Awareness Month is a time to recognize the powerful role family connections play in the lives of children and youth impacted by foster care. When children can remain connected to relatives and other trusted adults, they are more likely to experience a greater sense of stability, belonging and identity during an uncertain time.
We recognize Kinship Awareness Month to honor the caregivers who step forward for children they love and to highlight the importance of finding, strengthening and supporting family connections. Because every child deserves to know where they come from, who is in their corner and that they are not navigating life alone.