Many people have a grandparent who has had a significant impact on their life. From passing along words of wisdom and tales of the “good old days,” grandparents have the power to leave a lasting impact and shape us, holding a special place in our hearts.
For some, grandparents aren’t just relatives we see at holidays or family reunions, rather they are present in our everyday lives: school pick-ups, weekend luncheons, family movie nights, school recitals, and so much more. And for others, grandparents act as the sole caregivers and providers in a family
That’s why, in this week’s blog post, we want to share the story of one such Kenzi’s Causes Family grandparent who has had a lasting effect on the kids in her life.
Meet Barbara and Her Family
Barbara and her family have been a part of Kenzi’s Causes for nearly five years! Barbara is a single grandparent raising her five grandchildren who range in age from four to 17 years old. Naliea is 17, Layla is 10, Amya is 8, James is 6, and Angel is 5.
For Barbara, Kenzi’s Causes has allowed her the opportunity to provide experiences for her grandchildren that would otherwise be challenging to come by – sending her grandchildren to summer camp, having Christmas sponsors, and being a part of a community of families and volunteers who genuinely care.
But things have not always felt so abundant and joyful. Barbara moved back to the area in 2018/2019 and was missing her sense of community. For her, Kenzi’s Causes ended up being that missing piece and filled a gap that she’d been trying to close.
“After leaving Warren Village – I lost that sense of connection. Kenzi’s Causes has helped fill that community piece. Kenzi’s Causes has given all of us opportunities to have experiences that we would have never normally had,” said Barbara.
And it wasn’t just Barbara who benefited, her grandchildren did too. They’ve been able to make friends with the other kids in the community, enjoy themselves at events, and feel a sense of normalcy in an otherwise turbulent time.
“Until Kenzi Causes, we never had a family picture. I appreciate them providing support to help us get the resources that our family is looking for – both for children and adults. They have helped support with food in times of need and have been such an important part of our lives,” said Barbara.
It’s this kind of support that makes the most giving people want to give back even more. Barbara dreams of volunteering and supporting Kenzi’s Causes one day.
“I will become a volunteer if they will have me! Kenzi’s Causes has been a huge blessing. Thank you and all the donors too.”
When asked to describe Kenzi’s Causes in one word, Barbara said, “uplifting.”
Support Kenzi’s Causes at One of Our Upcoming Events!
If you’ve been touched by this story and want to be a part of our community this winter, simply click here.
We would love to invite you into our family and share exactly how you can get involved and support our Kenzi’s Kidz program this season and beyond.
You can have an impact on a family like Barbara’s and so many others! We cannot wait to meet you!
