Blog
Three Decades of Kinship: Honoring Heritage, Embracing Unity, Building Futures
Imagine centering your life’s work through the uncovering of the precious gems that your kinship care story revealed, and putting such information to work for others. That is what Dr. Sharon McDaniel did. At 31 years old, she purposed to move her personal experiences into personal triumph for those who shared similar stories. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our organization, we honor Dr. McDaniel, our founder and CEO, whose experiences as a child in the child welfare system have driven her relentless dedication to kinship care. Her visionary leadership along with the hard work and dedication of ASCI staff and supporters has transformed countless lives over the past three decades, creating a legacy of support and empowerment for families. Join us in celebrating the organization’s remarkable work as we reflect on ASCI’s profound commitment to honoring heritage, embracing unity, and building futures.
Honoring Heritage:
A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI) began its journey on Highland Avenue, a humble start that quickly grew into a powerful movement. From our roots in Pittsburgh, we have expanded our reach, opening a regional office in Philadelphia, and most recently, extending our impact to New Hampshire. Each new location represents not just growth, but the spreading of a vital mission: to support and uplift families through kinship care. Beyond these regional expansions, ASCI also engages nationally, sharing our kinship care model and expertise with jurisdictions across the country. Our national engagement ensures that the benefits of kinship care are recognized and implemented far and wide, helping to shape policies and practices that prioritize family integrity and children’s well-being.
Kinship care has proven to be a cornerstone in the child welfare sector, providing children with stable, loving environments by placing them with relatives and close family friends. This approach not only preserves familial bonds but also promotes better outcomes for children, including higher rates of permanency, stability, and emotional well-being. Nationally, the success of kinship care is evident in its growing recognition and implementation as a preferred practice in child welfare.
Embracing Unity:
One of the most powerful aspects of kinship care is its ability to embrace and promote unity. By placing children within their extended families, we ensure they remain connected to their cultural roots and family traditions. This sense of continuity and belonging fosters a stronger, more cohesive community. Kinship care brings families together, strengthening bonds and creating a support network that extends beyond the immediate household. It exemplifies the adage that it takes a village to raise a child, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility and mutual support in nurturing the next generation.
ASCI has been instrumental in fostering this spirit of unity within the communities we serve. Our programs and services not only support individual families but also build a network of care that extends throughout the community. Through training, resources, and advocacy, we empower families to support one another, creating a ripple effect of stability and strength. This communal approach ensures that children grow up in an environment rich with love, support, and cultural continuity, reinforcing the bonds that hold our communities together.
Senior Executive Consultant, Talisa Morton, shares, “A Second Chance, Inc. has embedded in its values and mission a commitment to strengthen and preserve Kinship Families, with Honoring Heritage at its core. Our partnership with Allegheny County Children and Youth, alongside the triad with Kinship Foster Care, served as the foundation. Over the past 30 years, we have expanded our initiatives to encompass Kinship Navigation – Children & Youth, Evidence-Based Practices, National Engagement, Grand Families Projects, Un-housed – Home Again Kinship Navigation Program, and collaboration with the Indigenous Iroquois People in Pittsburgh. Each program is dedicated to honoring, respecting, learning from, advocating for, and including one’s heritage”. Through our dedication to embracing unity, we empower families to face challenges together and build brighter futures for the children in our care.
Reflecting on ASCI’s legacy of embracing unity, Kennice Hudson, ASCI’s Director of Kinship Navigator & Expansion, speaks of her pride in being part of an organization that prioritizes compassion, integrity, and resilience. “After 25 years of working at A Second Chance, Inc., I celebrate with ASCI as they have dedicated 30 years to making a profound difference through compassion and commitment, shaping countless lives,” she shares. “Every day, we strive to function as a unit by upholding the dignity and rights of families, ensuring that children grow up in environments where they feel safe, loved, and valued.”
Building Futures:
As we reflect on the past 30 years, we celebrate the profound impact of ASCI staff, supporters, and Dr. McDaniel’s unwavering commitment to the kinship triad. The journey from Highland Avenue to our regional offices in Philadelphia and New Hampshire, along with our national engagement, is a testament to the power of kinship care and the positive change it brings to families and communities across the nation.
Through personalized care and advocacy, we strive to cultivate futures filled with promise and possibility, ensuring every child in kinship care has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. ASCI’s Education Liaison Consultant, Dr. Christine White-Taylor shares, that “each of the students we serve represents a place in the future. The responsibility is great and is taken very seriously as each of their needs are addressed and resources assigned specifically to each of them.”
Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission to empower families and build brighter futures, guided by the values that have defined us for three decades.
ASCI staff and supporters continue to remain steadfast in their commitment to the kinship triad. “A Second Chance, Inc. is more than an organization; it’s a community of dedicated individuals working tirelessly to make a difference,” shares Gary Alred, ASCI’s Youth Engagement Services (YES) Worker II. “I am honored to have been part of this journey and look forward to continuing our mission of providing second chances and brighter futures for children and families.”
In celebrating ASCI’s journey and the incredible progress we’ve made, we are reminded of the power of innovation, dedication, and above all, love. Here’s to the next chapter in our story, filled with continued growth, impact, and the relentless pursuit of a brighter future for all children and families. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey with us.