Not all children are raised by their biological parents. However, they still need support to thrive in their lives and prospective communities.
“Across the nation, 3% of all kids — nearly 2.5 million children — are in kinship care. In this arrangement, relatives raise kids when their parents cannot care for them,” according to The Annie E. Casey Foundation https://www.aecf.org/topics/kinship-care.
Charlene’s Circle of Support’s Expansion
Charlene’s Circle of Support (CCOS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable youth in Maryland, seeks to provide additional support for youth and their kinship caregivers with a holistic, trauma-informed approach through a new CCOS program called the “I Matter” Empowerment Program. Juanita Banks-Whittington, CCOS’s co-founder, and Chanay Banks, executive director and founder of the nonprofit, strive to support kinship care families. Their nonprofit’s offering expanded to provide: emotional and mental health support; education; youth development; caregiver support; basic needs assistance; community support; and advocacy for the described population.
The “I Matter” Empowerment Program
The “I Matter” Empowerment Program is designed to help youth and their kinship caregivers heal and grow together.
“It builds identity, resilience, and self-worth while providing safe spaces to share challenges, participate in life-skills and wellness workshops, and engage in creative activities that encourage expression and connection. Most importantly, it instills the powerful affirmation: ‘I Am Enough. I Belong. I Matter,’” Banks-Whittington explained.
Banks noted that CCOS supports families in Charles County and Anne Arundel County. However, the nonprofit is currently broadening its reach to other counties in Maryland, such as Prince George’s County, Baltimore City, and Baltimore County, with a goal of supporting kinship families Maryland-wide. Programs are designed to serve the whole family, youth ages up to 18 years old and their kinship caregivers. Caregivers from across Maryland are welcome to join CCOS’s in-person and virtual opportunities for connection, healing, and empowerment. CCOS hosts a monthly Kinship & Thriving Virtual Group, creating ongoing opportunities for families to learn, and receive support.
A Local Snapshot of Kinship Care
Banks-Whittington, who is also a licensed master social worker, stated that Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2023 findings noted that in Maryland, more than 66,000 children live in kinship care, with over 43,000 grandparents raising their grandchildren—many with little to no formal support. She also mentioned that in 2024, Governor Wes Moore launched the Kin-First Initiative, making Maryland a leader in prioritizing placement of children with relatives whenever possible.
“This initiative recognizes what we at CCOS see every day: children thrive when they can remain with family, surrounded by love and stability, and caregivers thrive when they are supported with resources and community,” she added.
CCOS partners with schools, local and state government, and community nonprofits to raise awareness of kinship care and expand resources. Banks-Whittington shared that to date, CCOS has directly served more than 55 youth through the nonprofit’s “I Matter” Empowerment Program and Youth Care Packages Program, while also indirectly supporting their kinship caregivers, creating ripple effects of stability and healing across entire families.
“All of our programs, workshops, and care packages are provided free of charge to families, thanks to grants, donations, and community partnerships,” Banks-Whittington further stated.
Upcoming Event for the “I Matter” Empowerment Program
CCOS upholds the belief that every young person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. The nonprofit invites kinship families and youth impacted by parental challenges to attend an in-person on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at North County High School located at 10 E 1st Avenue, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061. The target audience is youth aged 2-18 and their kinship caregivers, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, and family friends who are raising children. The deadline to register online https://forms.gle/iDSZUgesZ2sR6fir7 is September 19, 2025.
“Families attending will experience mental wellness and creative healing workshops; youth empowerment activities; caregiver support circles; free childcare for children aged 2–6; and resource tables filled with community connections. Beyond resources, the greatest benefit is the validation, visibility, and belonging families will gain. Attendees will leave knowing they are not alone—empowered by community, strengthened by support, and celebrated for the vital role they play,” Banks-Whittington stated.
Connect with Charlene’s Circle of Support by visiting www.charlenescircle.org or emailing info@charlenescircle.org.
