Guest: Kasey Jordan, mother of eight, founding member of Siblings Forever, and director of high school faith formation for her parish
A child’s world shatters when their family suffers a breakup. The chaos often leaves siblings living apart, plunged into an environment where nothing is familiar. Today there are approximately 11,000 children in foster care in Georgia. An estimated 75% have at least one sibling, and family dynamics force them into separate foster homes. There they lose the opportunity to bond in the typical sibling dynamic, cutting off long-term relationships which can be an anchor in adulthood.
Determined to make a difference, a Georgia foster parent and team of volunteers offered the first camping experience for separated siblings in 2008. Kasey Jordan was one of those volunteers, starting as a counselor and now serving as acting executive director. In 2020 COVID forced them to be creative with their programs, encouraging them to change their name to Siblings Forever in 2024.
Starting with 17 campers in 2008, Siblings Forever has helped almost 900 siblings through their overnight summer camp as well as "Family Connection" day events and a weekend "Holiday Family Camp." An estimated 550 volunteer counselors have given over 90,000 hours supporting siblings who attend up to six events a year, changing lives and creating forever friendships between counselors and campers.
Biography: Aside from being a founding member of Siblings Forever, Kasey Jordan served as chair of the fundraising and camper recruitment committee until 2012. She also initiated the Cake for Kids program, decorating cakes and holding birthday parties for campers during the year. Kasey has a passion for reuniting siblings to encourage stronger relationships and help them navigate their way through life with the support of their siblings and volunteers from Siblings Forever. Two of her children have served as camp counselors, and others now join her in the cake decorating endeavor. Kasey and her husband, Kurt, who is retired from the U.S. Navy, live in Monticello, Georgia.
Resources:
Siblings Forever website