Kinship

Keeping Families Together
Lincoln knows that children do best when they remain in the safe, stable, and familiar environment that relatives can provide. Relative caregivers are the backbone of our child welfare system, stepping up to fill the gap when challenges take parents from raising their children. Many are grandparents with special needs linked to age, poverty, poor health, and lack of supports and resources. Since 2001, Lincoln's Kinship Services has addressed the unique needs of each caregiver and child, providing a variety of supports, including: 

• Family Coaching: Advocacy and referral for financial assistance, legal supports, mental health, emergency, and education services

• Education & Skill Building: Programs including parenting, school advocacy, and job and college readiness to prepare and inform caregivers and youth

• Youth Supports: Children and teen activity groups, social and recreational outings, tutoring, and workshop events

• Support Groups: Gathering of caregivers to share joys and concerns, learn about resources, and support each other.

Who Can Receive Kinship Services?
All kin caregivers and their children residing in our service areas of Hayward, Fremont, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City, Newark, Castro Valley, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, Sunol, and the unincorporated areas of Southern Alameda County.  

Lincoln’s Kinship program provides a unique combination of crucial benefits, resources, group supports, and events to kinship families to ensure children thrive and become successful adults.

Family Events
Family events are open to kin caregivers and youth of all ages, free of charge, and designed around the needs of the participants.

• Adult Workshops & Family Coaching: Focus on topics such as financial resources, legal services, mental health supports, educational advocacy, and coping skills.

• Youth Activities: Focus on recreational enrichment activities, field trips, behavioral supports, and positive social interactions.

• Teen Groups: Focus on preparing for independent living and obtaining employment, creating a support network, exploring post-education opportunities, and building permanent connections.

Support Groups
Caregivers come together in support to share joys and concerns, learn about resources, and support each other. 

• Hayward Support Groups: Every Thursday from 10-11:30am. Evening support groups are held on second and fourth Tuesdays from 6-7:30pm, and include dinner and youth activities.

• Hayward Spanish Support Groups: Every first and third Tuesday of the month from 10-11:30am, includes youth activities.

• Tri-Valley Support Groups: Second Saturday of each month from 10:30am to noon at Los Positas College in Livermore.

• Pleasanton Unified School District Support Groups: First and third Wednesday of each month from 10-11:30am at the PUSD District Office, 215 Abbie Street in Pleasanton.

Locations and Hours

HAYWARD (SPANISH)
1st & 3rd Tuesdays each month
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
111 Review Way
Hayward, CA
Phone:  510.273.4700 x2000 
Fax: 510.583.8083