Deb Mott, a kinship caregiver volunteer with Catholic Charities of Buffalo was recently one of four volunteers from across the state recognized by the New York State KinCare Coalition. Mott, a Hinsdale resident, received the CURA Award for Outstanding Caregiver, for her demonstration of outstanding selflessness and leadership and overcoming tremendous barriers.
Deb Mott
Mott was one of the founding members of Catholic Charities’ kinship group in Cattaraugus County. At the time, she was a single grandmother who had custody of her granddaughter and grandson. When the grandchildren were in high school, Mott was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had to stop working full time. Catholic Charities was able to hire her as a workshop presenter to teach her painting skills to other caregivers to help supplement her income.
“Deb was always active in our kinship groups and events and as her grandchildren aged out of the program, she stayed involved by volunteering to teach painting classes to other kinship children and caregivers,” said Danielle Kielar, kinship caregiver social worker, Catholic Charities. “For the nearly 15 years I’ve known her, Deb always has a smile on her face no matter what obstacles she has had to overcome. With her caring, compassionate and empathetic nature, Deb has been a mentor to many other kinship caregivers in our program over the years, helping them navigate their new roles. She has made a difference in not only her own family, but for many kinship families throughout our region.”
Kinship care refers to non-parent relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, adult siblings or close family friends who take on the responsibility of raising a child when the parent is unable to do so. In New York, approximately 195,000 children are living with relatives or family friends who are their primary caregivers.
Catholic Charities was awarded one of 11 grants from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to run kinship programs in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties for the next five years, providing crucial support to families caring for children within their extended families.
“I was never alone – God and I raised my four kids and then I raised my grandchildren,” said Mott. “While kinship families all have each other’s backs, it’s the programs offered by Catholic Charities that help bring us together. When I was caring for my grandchildren, Catholic Charities was instrumental in helping to arrange morning care as I had to be at work before the kids left for school and for providing me with an opportunity when I could no longer work full-time. It’s now been my turn to give back to them and other new caregivers.”
The New York State KinCare Coalition is a group of kinship caregivers, service providers, and other stakeholders who are committed to advancing the cause of kinship care in New York. They serve as the voice on kinship issues ranging from access to available benefits, custodial and family court issues, and funding for kinship support services throughout the state.
