San Bernardino County’s
First
Kinship Family Center
1329 North "H" Street
First
Kinship Family Center
The Kinship Family Center van can pick you up for Support Groups! El van del Kinship Family Center puede reogerte para los Grupos de Apoyo!
Kinship Family Center
The Kinship Family Center was founded in 2002 as the County of San Bernardino's first service center for kinship family caregivers. Kinship family caregivers, primarily grandparents, are raising children whose biological parents are no longer able to provide care. In some cases, it is aunts and uncles raising nieces or nephews. In some cases it is siblings raising younger siblings. In all cases, household budgets are stretched, health care needs rise, stress increases and support is needed.
The Kinship Family Center is the county's only center based in the H Street Clinic that can provide full primary care services to caregivers. From vaccinations and physicals for school aged children to information on family planning and human sexuality to the common cold, caregivers are guaranteed care at prices they can afford. The bi-lingual social service and clinic staff are professionally trained and culturally competent making caregivers feel special, welcomed and well cared for.
The Kinship Family Center provides weekly support groups in English and Spanish. Sewing classes are offered so that clothes can be mended, altered or designed and made. Food bags are available. Referral services for counseling and other services are available. Transportation to and from support groups is offered, as is a well balanced hot meal. Conversations about health, parenting skills and personal care are combined with outings that provide respite care for the over-extended kinship caregiver.
The Kinship Family Center is located on the campus of Central City Lutheran Mission, which is a center of social and educational activities for families and children. An After School Program provides homework help and the development of socialization skills for kincare kids. An adults education center, the "Plaza Comunitaria," provides educational opportunities for Spanish speaking adults. Monthly social activities provide safe and affordable activities for families and youth.
Caregivers come to events, support groups, to the clinic, to the food pantry and they meet other caregivers. Friendships and support are created. Caregivers feel better about themselves, the children they are raising and their future. They realize they are not alone. They have found the Kinship Family Center. You can find it too!