Welcome to the Kindred Life Ministries Frequently Asked Questions Page! We hope the following information will help you to get to know us better and learn more about how we serve young families in our community.  
How does Kindred Life carry out their mission and how can I get involved?

Cultivating growth – Kindred Life provides a safe and loving environment for each client; Life Education nights, mentoring, counseling, etc. all contribute to planting seeds that through prayer will take root, grow and flourish.

Building Relationships – Our volunteers and staff models the hands and feet of Jesus, sharing His love and the eternal life they can have through a relationship with Him. While the Holy Spirit is working, we also empower and equip families with the skills needed relationally during their time in the program (friends, family, society, etc.).

Meeting the needs of teen parents and their children –These needs are numerous and multi-faceted. Often times we are meeting a basic need first (food, clothing, education) before  he/she trusts us enough to let us work on and meet his/her emotional and spiritual needs.

Our 2018 Vision Plan includes an fresh updated vision and mission statement and newly created values and guiding principles. These will lay the groundwork providing the roadmap and tools for staff and volunteers to more clearly measure and communicate impact for those we serve and those with whom we serve.

To learn more about serving or getting your church to become a ministry partner, visit our Volunteer page or contact Rachael at volunteer@KindredLife.org

Where is Kindred Life headed in the next three years?

In order for us to grow and serve a greater number of families, we need to invest resources in expanding and strengthening our community partners which include churches and public and private organizations so that we can meet the family’s needs to a greater capacity. We are striving to implement new systems and tracking measurements to more clearly communicate impact. We realize that expanding both paid and volunteer teams will be necessary to meet the needs of our teen fathers and grandparents as well as continue improving services for the teen mother and child. As the Lord leads and through our faithful prayer warriors and financial supporters, we can position ourselves to provide improved services to a greater number of  families to surrounding communities.

2019 – Expand outreach and development to increase number of community partners by 20%

2020 – Hire a Teen Dad Program Coordinator to serve all three site offices

2021 – Open a fourth Program Service Site in northern Cook County, IL

How does Kindred Life Ministries differ from other family social service organizations?
Kindred Life Ministries is a Christian based-organization that recognizes that God is the creator of all life and that He placed children in a family setting with a mother and a father. Because we are a fallen people, our relationships have been broken and only Jesus can breathe new life into them. As staff and volunteers we proclaim God’s son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and want to share the abundant life our families can have in Him. Our faith drives all we do to support each member of the family in their present circumstances and for eternity. (See also Kindred Life Ministries Statement of Faith)
Why does Kindred Life Ministries limit the number of teenage mothers can serve at each location?

Each of our three service locations serve up to seven teen mothers and their families. Experience has shown that seven families is the optimum number to provide the greatest attention to each based on the availability of resources. Kindred Life Ministries’ partners with local churches, communities and the teen mother’s family of origin to provide the most comprehensive program to help all members of the teen family thrive. (See also Partner’s Page)

How do teen mothers find out about your program and what are the socio-economic and faith backgrounds of the young mothers you serve?

Teen mothers are often referred by local pregnancy centers, schools and churches with many finding out about the ministry through friends and social media. Our three office sites are in the northern suburbs of Illinois: Antioch, Gurnee and Wheeling and serve the surrounding communities which are comprised of working class and middle class families with a variety of ethnic, cultural and faith backgrounds. We serve teenagers who have chosen to parent their children. 

How long can a teenage mother remain a part of Kindred Life Ministries, and where do they go after?
Each teen mother involved with Kindred Life Ministries is offered an array of services and is asked to meet program guidelines that allow her to grow and mature. A teen mother identifies and works toward meeting her own individual goals with the assistance of the Site Director, her counselor and her mentor. These goals are addressed and monitored regularly. As the teen mother continues to participate in the Life Ed group and on her individual goals, she can remain a part of Kindred Life Ministries. A typical stay in the program is 2-3 years ending with a graduation ceremony. Graduates are invited to join the Kindred Life Alumni Group  and encouraged to get plugged into a church and/or Mom’s group to continue to grow and be supported. (See also Programs & Services)
What type of services do you offer to the teen father and extended family?
Kindred Life Ministries outreaches to the teen fathers and extended family members of the teen mothers who are participating in the Life Ed program. Grandparents and support persons are invited to our annual program events: Fall Family Open House, Graduation & Summer Socials. Mentoring and personal/financial counseling is offered to the teen father, while newsletters and group counseling is offered to the grandparents.
Are my donations to Kindred Life Ministries tax-deductible?

Yes, Kindred Life Ministries is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Both monetary gifts and in-kind donations are most appreciated and tax-deductible. To make an online gift please visit our Donate Page.