LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 16, 2026) — At 50 years old, Christopher Rhodus wasn’t expecting to be raising two young girls, but now, with the support of the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, he can’t imagine his life any other way.
Beginning his kinship caregiver journey three years ago, Rhodus and his wife received custody of their two granddaughters, Zoe and Zamiya, after their parents struggled with substance abuse. Now, with full custody of his granddaughters, Rhodus is fulfilling his role as both grandpa and primary caregiver.
“It was an adjustment being their Papaw while also taking care of school, bus, daycare, all the fun stuff that comes along with it,” Rhodus said. “But they’re my little angels, and I can be there to watch over and protect them and make sure that nothing happens to them.”
With the addition of his granddaughters, Rhodus now works his 9-to-5 job, as well as delivering groceries after his regular workday to make sure he can provide for Zoe and Zamiya.
His journey has not been without challenges. Rhodus has navigated childcare needs, insurance-related issues and financial strain. Despite these pressures, he has continued moving forward with determination and has never lost sight of what matters most — the well-being of his granddaughters.
Navigating this new role, Rhodus found support and community through the Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC). After discovering the KKRC through a Google search, Rhodus began participating in a KIN-VIP Support Group, as well as meeting one-on-one with his Kinship Peer Support Specialist Melanie Francis.
“Chris’ dedication to his granddaughters is evident in every aspect of his life,” Francis said. “Even while balancing long hours and significant caregiving responsibilities, he remains focused on creating a secure and nurturing home where Zoe and Zamiya can grow and thrive.”
The KKRC offers a continuum of free services designed to meet kinship families where they are, connecting caregivers across Kentucky with one-on-one peer support, virtual support groups and on-demand trainings and webinars.
As the KKRC recognizes National Kinship Care Month this September, Rhodus is sharing his experience to remind other caregivers that they aren’t alone and that help is available. After beginning his participation in his support group as a listener, Rhodus is now sharing what he has learned throughout his own journey.
His biggest piece of advice to new kinship caregivers? Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
“The advice I would give to a new kinship caregiver would be to be willing to take advice and be willing to ask for help,” Rhodus said. “For some of us, asking for help is not easy. I was never somebody that wanted help with anything. If I found a way to do it, I’d do it myself and never worry about it. But there’s times in life where it’s better to ask for help because you never know what you can find or what all can happen.”
Keeping Zoe and Zamiya at the forefront of everything he does, Rhodus is reminded each day why being Papaw is his favorite role.
“The most rewarding part about being a kinship caregiver so far has been just the sheer amount of love the kids give,” Rhodus said. “They are so happy when you walk in the room, you can feel the joy coming off them. And you feel that because they’re home, because they’re happy, because they’re safe, because they’re taken care of, it just makes every day a little bit better.”