ity, they do spend time there when their lives
are in transition.
"Children who have moved with their stuff
in paper bags from one place to another come
into this building wondering what's going to
happen next," says Biddle. "They meet our
therapy dogs, our staff members are wonder-
ful and everything is at a child's level. They feel
safe here pretty quickly."
"It feels like a home," agrees Kinship Center
board member Jeff Davi. As a Monterey
Peninsula native, he especially interested in
helping local children.
"You don't think kids are unwanted or
abandoned here, but they are in our own
backyard. We pass them ever y day on the
street…they need our help," he says. "If
Kinship Center wasn't here, I can't imagine
the amount of desperation and loneliness
these kids would feel. We're changing lives
and building families."
Kinship Center will celebrate 30 years on
September 20, during a White Party at the Pebble
Beach home of Valentia Piccinini. To support the
organization, or for information on Kinship Center's
services, classes and community resources, visit
www.kinshipcenter.org or call 831/455-9965.
Children going through uncertain times are able to be comforted by and have fun with
Nestle the therapy dog at the Kinship Center.
Kinship Center now offers services throughout California after partnering with Seneca Family of Agencies. Children of all ages have access to
adoption and foster homes, plus education and mental health care, while potential adopters are in almost a dozen counties.
C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 1 4 111
Photo:
Kelli
Uldall
Photo:
Kelli
Uldall
108-111 Kinship Center_152-161 Garcia story 4/25/14 4:43 PM Page 4
