When families are going through their toughest times, facing uncertainty, financial challenges and feeling like the road ahead is too hard to navigate, they need more than just resources. They need someone by their side, someone who reminds them that hope isn’t lost and helps them believe in themselves again. That’s what KVC Kansas’ 2Generation program approach (2Gen) is all about.

Across 27 counties in Eastern Kansas, 2Gen is changing lives by working with both youth and their parents or caregivers to tackle the root causes of poverty and instability. With personalized support, hands-on guidance and a team that truly understands their challenges, families are able to find stability, strength and the confidence to build a stable future.

The stories of families who’ve completed our 2Gen program are powerful examples of resilience and courage. Keep reading to hear how families have overcome tough obstacles, broken traumatic cycles and built lasting success with the support of 2Gen.

What is Generational Poverty?

When parents first connect with KVC Kansas’ 2Gen program, they’re often going through one of the hardest times in their lives. They often feel overwhelmed and even hopeless. They may be struggling with financial troubles, fighting to keep their children safely at home, or they may be working to safely reunite with their children after foster care.

But these challenges don’t appear overnight, and they’re rarely just about one difficult season. Many families face hardships that have been passed down for generations. Generational poverty happens when a family experiences poverty for multiple generations, making it hard to break the cycle.

And generational poverty isn’t just about a lack of money—it’s also about a lack of resources and support. When families don’t have the stability they need, it can affect every part of life, from jobs and mental health to parenting and overall wellbeing.

What is KVC’s 2Gen Approach?

The 2Gen approach helps break the cycle of poverty by supporting both parents and children and teens. It gives families access to education, one-on-one support and caring people they can trust. KVC’s 2Gen approach connects families to local services and resources so they can live healthier, happier lives.

Our 2Gen team is composed of seasoned family navigators and other supportive professionals with connections to the types of services and resources families may need. Many of the professionals on this team have even been in similar life circumstances to these families, allowing them to relate on a more personal level.

2Gen Group Facilitator Britney F., a mom of five, reflects on her own past experiences.

“You don’t see that light when you’re down,” shares Britney. “Pulling people out of those ruts and showing them it’s possible is beautiful. That’s what I live for.”

Our 2Gen program offers in-home and virtual support for 3 to 6 months, depending on what each family needs. Families get a personalized plan that can include support in:

• Finding a stable job
• Managing money
• Building healthy relationships
• Strengthening parenting skills
• Learning ways to keep their family safe and strong

If a family needs mental health support, we’ll connect them with a provider in their community. We can step in to help during a crisis, too. We’ll also help families apply for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), childcare assistance, vocational rehabilitation and other resources.

Because families choose to be part of our 2Gen program instead of being required by the court, they often feel more comfortable and open to the support we offer. This makes the 2Gen approach especially effective. Families receive personalized services designed to strengthen their health, relationships, parenting skills, and financial and housing stability, helping them build a stronger future.

Whole-Family Approach: Breaking Generational Cycles of Poverty and Instability

Every family who participates in our 2Gen program is different. They may be struggling financially, facing challenges in their relationships or feel stuck with no clear path forward.

“Everybody has a story,” said Sheri S., 2Gen Supervisor. “You really have to take your time, put your phone down and make sure you listen to their story.”

Our 2Gen approach focuses on helping the whole family build stability—both financially and in their relationships—so they can break free from generational poverty. Families work closely with the KVC team on four key areas:

1. Housing and employment
2. Financial literacy
3. Parent empowerment
4. Healthy relationships

These building blocks help create a stronger, more secure future for parents and their children.

Housing and Employment

Having a safe place to live and a steady job are two of the biggest factors in creating stability for a family. That’s where Michelle A., 2Gen’s Housing and Employment Specialist, comes in. She helps parents find affordable housing and jobs that provide a more secure future—but it’s not always easy.

Michelle uses her connections both inside and outside our 2Gen program to find creative solutions that fit each family’s unique situation. Whether it’s helping someone move to a new house or area, go back to school, or live with family to save on housing costs, she works hard to make sure every family has the support they need to build a stable life.

Financial Literacy

Many of the families who participate in our 2Gen program are living on a tight budget, so learning how to manage money is an important step. Through the FDIC Financial Literacy program, parents get hands-on guidance on budgeting, saving, understanding credit and interest rates, and tips on how to buy a home.

“We’re working to empower our families to have financial stability, because we know these skills don’t always come naturally, but can be transformational,” explains Sheri.

That’s why financial literacy is such a key part of the 2Gen approach. It gives families the tools they need to build a more secure future.

Parenting Empowerment

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child! But for families experiencing poverty and/or instability, that village of positive role models may not always be there. That’s why parenting support is a key part of the 2Gen approach. The evidence-based Parenting Empowerment Program (PEP) helps parents learn positive, proactive ways to support and guide their children, even when parenting feels overwhelming.

“The PEP curriculum is valuable for the whole family because of how it helps care for children of a variety of ages,” said Britney.

The 2Generation program gives parents and caregivers practical tools to strengthen their families, including:

• What to do (and what not to do) as a parent
• How to recognize and process emotions in healthy ways
• Tools to encourage and empower children (like incentive charts, behavior sheets and more)
• How to communicate with your children
• Managing conflict
• Solving family problems together

By learning and practicing these skills, parents can build a more stable, supportive home.

Healthy Relationships

Many people who participate in our 2Gen program have been through trauma or are trying to break difficult family patterns that have been passed down for generations. That’s why the 2Gen approach focuses on helping families build strong, healthy relationships—not just with their children, but also with spouses, partners, extended family and even people they interact with in daily life, like a cashier at the grocery store.

One of the most important parts of this is learning how to co-parent effectively. Many 2Gen participants are parents who need support in communicating, solving conflicts and working together for the wellbeing of their children. By strengthening these skills, parents and caregivers can create a more stable and supportive environment, no matter their family situation.

Success Story: How 2Gen Helped Lisa Rebuild Her Life

When Lisa first connected with KVC and started the 2Gen program, she was facing overwhelming challenges. She was working to regain custody of her son while working a job that made it hard to find stable housing. The stress of her situation often led her to alcohol misuse, and she felt like her life was completely out of control.

That’s when Britney stepped in to help. She started by encouraging Lisa to focus on what she could control, helping her build confidence and a sense of independence. Together, they worked on securing stable housing, a steady income and reliable transportation.

“I asked Lisa, ‘What can we do to control what you can control and let go of what you can’t?’” Britney recalls.

Britney also connected with Lisa over their shared experience of co-parenting. Lisa often felt frustrated with the choices her son’s father made, believing he wasn’t providing the support their son needed. Britney empathized and encouraged Lisa to shift her perspective, focusing on what she could change rather than what was out of her hands.

Thanks to the support and tools she gained through 2Gen, Lisa’s life looks completely different today. She now works a great job at a local healthcare provider, commutes with reliable transportation, and comes home to safe, stable housing. She also regained shared custody of her son! Lisa’s relationships with her parents, her child’s father and even herself have grown stronger. Her mental health is improving, too!

Looking back, Britney feels grateful to have been part of Lisa’s journey. “Having me in her corner really helped her see things through to the end,” she said. Lisa’s story is proof that with the right support, hope and stability are always within reach.

Success Story: Mark and Mary’s Journey to Healing and a New Beginning

Mark and Mary are parents to two young children, and like many families, they never expected to find themselves in crisis. For Mark, what started as occasional drug use became something more serious and he almost lost his life. That moment changed everything. The courts ruled to remove their children from their care, and they knew they had to make a change.

That’s when KVC Kansas stepped in to help. Through our 2Gen approach, Mark and Mary got support with parenting and life skills, as well as resources to help them rebuild. They worked hard to complete 2Gen, learning how to budget, maintain sobriety and create a stable home for their kids.

As Mark and Mary worked toward stability, finding steady jobs was a big step. Mark took a temporary job to help cover rent, but steady work was hard to find in their area. That’s when Michelle A., a KVC 2Gen Housing and Employment Specialist at KVC Kansas, connected them with a company that was hiring. Both Mark and Mary got full-time jobs, allowing Mary to finally leave the temp job she had been stuck in and start a career she truly enjoys while working alongside Mark.

Their journey wasn’t easy. While in the 2Gen program, they suffered a heartbreaking loss in their family. Even in their grief, they stayed committed to their goals. Their hard work paid off, and they joyfully and safely reunited with their children.

Now, as proud KVC 2Gen graduates, Mark and Mary have stable jobs, a reunited family and an exciting future ahead. And there’s even more to celebrate—Mark and Mary are engaged and planning their wedding!

2Gen Helping Parents and Families Get the Support They Need

Our 2Gen program is here to help families stay together and break free from cycles of poverty and challenges. Many families want to create a better future but don’t know where to start—that’s where we come in.

Anyone can refer a family to 2Gen, including caseworkers, teachers, counselors, community partners and especially parents themselves! After a short assessment, families work one-on-one with a KVC family navigator for as long as they need, usually three to six months. Together, they build skills and create stability for their children and future generations.

At its heart, 2Gen is about more than just today. It’s about giving families the tools and support they need to improve their future for generations.

Make a Referral or Submit Our Interest Form

Is your family, or someone you care about, going through a tough time and could use some extra support? Our 2Gen program is here to help. Whether it’s with parenting, finances or just getting back on your feet, we’re here to walk with you through it all.

Take the first step today! Fill out our online interest form or reach out to KVC’s Admissions Department at (913) 621-5753 or globaladmissions@kvc.org.