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About High Country Caregivers

When a child cannot remain with their parents, relatives step in. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, and close family friends open their homes and take on the responsibility of raising a child they love. Many do this with no preparation, no legal guidance, and no financial support.

High Country Caregivers exists to make sure they do not walk that road alone.

We provide long term, whole family care that meets caregivers where they are and stays with them as children grow. Our work keeps kids out of foster care, stabilizes families in crisis, and creates real opportunities for youth to thrive.

Why Kinship
Care Matters

Why Kinship Care Matters

In North Carolina, more than 225,000 children live with relatives who are not their biological parents. Most live with grandparents. Many of these families step in to prevent a child from entering the foster system. They provide safety and love, yet receive very little support from the systems around them.

Kinship caregivers often face challenges that go far beyond paperwork. They navigate courts, trauma, education, medical care, and financial strain, often on fixed incomes. Most are grandmothers raising children for the second time.

Their strength is remarkable. Their needs are real. That is why we show up. 

Our Story

Since 2006, High Country Caregivers has been the leading organization in Western North Carolina dedicated to supporting kinship families. What began as a small local effort has grown into a comprehensive model that addresses crisis, stability, and long term empowerment for both caregivers and children.

Our team partners with County Social Services agencies, school systems, community organizations, therapists, and volunteers to ensure families receive consistent support. We work in homes, in schools, in courtrooms, and in the community. We stay connected for years because trust takes time and futures take time to build.

Today, we support families across six counties through programs that provide legal assistance, emergency resources, educational pathways, counseling, outdoor experiences, mentorship, and caregiver support groups. More than 500 children receive services each year. Every teen in our program has graduated from high school.

This is the power of kinship care when families receive the support they need. 

Our Vision

We believe every child deserves to grow up with family whenever possible. We believe caregivers deserve respect, support, and guidance. And we believe that long term stability is created through consistent, relationship-driven care.

Our vision is a High Country where kinship families have the tools, resources, and community to build strong, healthy futures.

Our Values

These principles guide everything we do.

Change

We work to strengthen the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of kinship families. 

Respect

We honor every caregiver and child regardless of background, race, income, or circumstance. 

Commitment

We walk alongside caregivers for as long as needed, providing steady, reliable support.

Collaboration

We partner with organizations, professionals, and agencies to navigate systems and connect families to life-changing services.

Integrity

We use resources wisely and transparently to maximize the support given to families.

Rest

We make sure caregivers have opportunities to recharge, connect, and regain strength.

Our Approach

We show up quickly. We listen deeply. We stay for the long haul.

Responsive

Families receive a call within 48 hours and a home visit within 7 days.

Helpful

We help caregivers build customized plans to support themselves and their children.

Resourceful

We connect families to the services that make tomorrow brighter.

Supportive

We advocate for caregivers and children in courts, schools, and community systems.

Friendly

Our support groups create safe spaces for caregivers to share their experiences and find community.

Open

We listen without judgment and honor every story that is shared with us.

A Future Built Together

Kinship caregivers are doing one of the hardest and most meaningful jobs in the world. We exist to walk with them, uplift them, and help them build futures where children feel secure, supported, and ready to thrive.

Thank you for being part of this work. 

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