September always makes me pause. It’s both Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Month and Suicide Prevention Month—two issues that are close to my heart as both an adoptive mother and the Executive Director of Kindred Hearts. When I see these reminders, I think about how critical it is that families raising children with trauma don’t feel alone.

We started Kindred Hearts because we know love alone, as powerful as it is, doesn’t erase the impact of early adversity. Adoption and kinship care bring children safety and belonging, but trauma doesn’t simply disappear when papers are signed or a child is welcomed home. Behaviors, anxiety, broken attachment, or even deep hopelessness can surface—and too often families are left feeling overwhelmed, like they should have all the answers but don’t. I’ve lived that tension myself, and I know how heavy it can feel.

At Kindred Hearts, we offer therapy, support groups, respite, and community programs. But the heart of what we do is simple: we come alongside families so they don’t have to do this alone. Some families connect with us because they just need resources, community, and a reminder that they’re not the only ones walking this road. Others come to us isolated and exhausted, unsure of how they’re going to keep going. Wherever a family finds themselves, our job is to meet them there—with compassion, with practical support, and with a plan that helps them take the next step forward.

That’s where programs, specifically our Wraparound program, makes such a difference. It isn’t about services in the traditional sense—it’s about surrounding families with a team that listens, understands, and builds a plan that truly works for them. It’s about walking alongside parents through meltdowns, school challenges, sleepless nights, and heartbreak, while holding hope for healing and stability. When families feel supported, children feel safe—and that’s when real growth happens.

This September, as we bring awareness to FASD and suicide prevention, my hope is that we also shine a light on the power of community, compassion, and support. These challenges are real, but so is the possibility of hope and change when families are surrounded and uplifted.

If you are looking for information or support this month, here are a few places to start:

• FASD United: www.fasdunited.org – national advocacy, education, and support.
• NOFASD (National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders): www.nofasd.org – resources for parents, professionals, and communities.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 anytime to connect with free, confidential crisis support.
• Suicide Prevention Resource Center: www.sprc.org – tools and information for prevention and support.

And if your family needs support, we are here. If you’ve been waiting, wondering if things will get better on their own, consider this your sign: reach out. Don’t carry the weight alone. Take action today; for your child, for your family, and for your own peace of mind. Because at the end of the day, no one should have to walk this road alone.

Haley Bagnaschi

Executive Director