Bringing Memphis home
When Mary Barnett learned that her relative’s son, Memphis, needed a stable home, she stepped up.
“On April 14, 2015, at 1 p.m., I left work and picked him up,” she said. “He’s been with me ever since.”
Barnett knew Memphis’ birth mother. “Throughout the pregnancy, I was there,” she said. His birth mom was struggling with some issues and, in the end, was unable to provide a stable home.
On Friday, Nov. 17, Memphis will join nine other kids as they are adopted into stable, loving families. A total of 10 children will join seven families during our annual Adoption Day ceremony at Hamilton County Probate Court.
Barnett says Memphis is a very happy, energetic 2-year-old. “He’s extremely happy and loving,” she said. “He is growing well and is a big boy.”
Kinship care is one way to provide foster care for a child. A relative becomes the caregiver for the child, keeping the child in their extended family. Qualifying caregivers can receive financial assistance through the Kinship Permanency Initiative after they have been granted permanent custody.