The Power of Connection: How The Village Supports Kinship Caregivers in Rhode Island

When a family member steps in to care for a child - whether it’s a grandparent, aunt, uncle, older sibling, or close family friend - it’s an act of love, commitment, and courage. But kinship caregiving also comes with challenges that can feel overwhelming without a strong support system.

That’s where The Village for RI Foster and Adoptive Families comes in. Since 2020, this grassroots organization has built a lifeline for kinship caregivers across Rhode Island through a growing network of support groups, resource sharing, and community connection.

Now, as the organization prepares to celebrate five years of service this September through its partnership with the RI Department of Children Youth and Families, Executive Director Shannon Dos Santos reflects on their journey so far - and where The Village is headed next.

Meeting Kinship Families Where They Are

The Village currently operates eight monthly support groups - four in-person and four virtual - serving a wide range of caregivers from across the state. These groups aren’t just check-ins. They are safe, welcoming spaces where kinship caregivers can share experiences, exchange practical advice, and form meaningful relationships with others who get it.

“We need to meet the people where they’re at,” says Shannon. That mantra guides everything from how the organization communicates with families to how they plan future programming.

From the Northern RI’s support group at the Pawtucket Library, to the Spanish-speaking Heart Tree’s support group at 95 Hathaway Street in Providence, to the Village’s office location at 139 Ocean Ave in Cranston, the in-person groups offer physical spaces for connection, while virtual groups provide accessibility for those who may face barriers like transportation, time constraints, or childcare.

Each group is led by two trained facilitators, ensuring a balance of structure and flexibility. Facilitators are there to listen, encourage open dialogue, and connect families with relevant resources - without judgment or pressure. 

As The Village’s Co-founder and current leader of one active group of six to twelve people Kelley Fluette captures the essence of the support group’s value: "I think it's being around people that are going through the same thing that you're going through. I think people really understand and get it. You feel supported, because you know that the people that are there understand what you're going through. You're heard, and you're not judged."

Minolly Saborio runs two support groups in Spanish, one for kinship and another for adoptive/foster parents, with meetings twice a month for about two hours. One group, which has been active for about 10 years, varies in size from 12 to 17 adults and can have up to 36 children. Activities for the children include painting, karaoke, and Play-Doh, and are organized by Jorge Saborio, with additional help when the group is large. The group provides a space for parents to share and solve problems, and has expanded to include a live Messenger chat for ongoing support beyond their meetings.

The kinship group primarily consists of grandparents facing challenges with their grandchildren, while the adoptive/foster group includes a mix of parents and grandparents. Both groups have formed lasting and solid relationships forged by their shared experiences and commitment to the children in their care. 

She quoted one of the grandmothers who said, “This problem made me crazy. I feel better after this discussion.” This quote reflects the value of the group - they provide emotional relief, understanding, and a sense that they are not alone in facing the challenges, whether it’s about teenage behaviors, conflicts with family members, or even issues navigating the family courts. Minolly admits that they may come in sharing their tears, but the support makes a difference - they often leave with a smile, or an anecdote that made them laugh. 

Both group leaders illustrate how sharing their experiences can transform someone’s feeling of being overwhelmed to feeling supported and hopeful. 

A Culturally Responsive Model

Among the most successful and dynamic of the eight groups are two Spanish-speaking support groups, which regularly attract 15-30 adults and an astounding 28-40 children at each session. These groups reflect a deeper understanding of cultural values that prioritize community and personal relationships.

“It’s more about that connection and that relationship before anything else,” Shannon explains. The emphasis on trust-building and community-oriented spaces is crucial, especially in immigrant and multilingual communities where institutional mistrust or language barriers may limit access to traditional services.

By offering programming in Spanish and empowering facilitators who reflect the communities they serve, The Village ensures that every family feels seen, heard, and supported.

More Than Just Emotional Support

While peer connection is at the heart of the model, The Village’s groups provide much more than emotional support.

Each session offers information-sharing, tangible resources, and access to a growing network of community organizations. Whether it’s navigating legal guardianship, applying for benefits, or simply finding age-appropriate activities for children in care, caregivers leave each meeting better equipped to handle the complex world of kinship caregiving.

Strategic Outreach and Persistent Barriers

Despite The Village’s clear value to kinship families, systemic challenges remain. Earlier this year, the organization sent detailed outreach packets to all 36 school districts in Rhode Island - yet only four districts responded.

This low engagement highlights a persistent barrier: connecting community-based resources with formal institutions.

Shannon and her team are undeterred. They’re exploring relationships with key education stakeholders to improve visibility and build stronger partnerships with schools - a critical gateway to reaching kinship families early in their caregiving journey - especially those caring for children informally, without the involvement of DCYF.

The organization is also leveraging social media, community networking, and even a few public affairs cable TV segments (watch here) and podcast episodes (listen here) to increase awareness about its services and the unique challenges faced by kinship families.

Adapting for the Future

Now in its tenth year incorporated, and approaching its fifth anniversary collaborating with DCYF, The Village is also facing uncertainty about future funding. Currently supported primarily by the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), and until recently, the RI Office of Healthy Aging, the organization is proactively exploring additional funding sources and state-level partners.

Rather than scaling back, Shannon envisions evolving and expanding the program to meet emerging needs:

• Consolidating groups to reduce facilitator burnout and enhance attendance consistency

• Launching topic-focused meetings, such as navigating special education or mental health services

• Hosting quarterly in-person gatherings with speakers from local service agencies

These ideas are more than dreams - they’re strategic adaptations designed to maintain momentum and deepen impact.

Why Kinship Support Matters

Nationally, 2.7 million children live in kinship care arrangements, according to Generations United. In Rhode Island, while exact numbers fluctuate, DCYF reports that a growing percentage of children in out-of-home placements are being cared for by relatives or close family friends.

Kinship care offers stability and continuity but often comes with fewer supports than traditional foster care. Many caregivers are older, on fixed incomes, or juggling their own parenting responsibilities while raising a second generation.

The Village recognizes that peer support fills a gap that professional services cannot always meet. Caregivers need more than a checklist - they need connection, community, and the assurance that they are not alone.

Real-Life Impact: Stories That Matter

Behind every group meeting are stories of resilience, transformation, and healing. Grandparents stepping into full-time parenting roles. Aunts navigating school systems for the first time. Family friends advocating in courtrooms to protect a child they love.

These caregivers often say the same thing after attending group meetings: “I didn’t know how much I needed this.”

That simple statement reflects the emotional and practical relief that comes from finding others on the same path.

How You Can Help

Whether you're a kinship caregiver, a community member, or a policymaker, there are several ways to support The Village’s mission:

• Spread the Word: Share information about The Village’s support groups with schools, pediatricians, and community centers.

• Partner with Us: Are you an agency, nonprofit, or school district interested in supporting kinship families? Let’s collaborate.

• Donate or Advocate: Funding ensures these life-changing support groups continue. If you can give or advocate for sustained state funding, your support will make an impact.

• Join a Group: If you're a kinship caregiver in Rhode Island, find a group that fits your needs. You belong here. Click here to view our Support Group schedule.

As The Village continues to celebrate community-driven support, it remains rooted in its original mission: to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering space for kinship caregivers across Rhode Island.

From the vibrant Spanish-speaking groups to quiet moments of reflection in a Cranston ?? Providence church office, these gatherings reflect something deeply human: our need to connect, to be understood, and to be supported.

No one should have to raise a child alone. Thanks to The Village, no one has to.

Want to Learn More or Join a Group?

Visit RIVillage.org or contact us directly for support group schedules, locations, and facilitator contacts.

Let’s continue to build this village - together.