Theme: “A Kinship Celebration” with a carnival/fair/festival motif and atmosphere
Houston, TX – January 19, 2025 – Relatives As Parents (RAP) is excited to announce its annual Empowering Families Conference, celebrating the resilience, strength, and contributions of kinship caregivers—family members and friends who have stepped in to care for youth in lieu of them going into state care (Child Protective Services, CPS). The event will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at DePelchin Children’s Center in Houston, Texas, and promises to provide a fun and informative environment for all attendees.
This year’s theme, “A Kinship Celebration”, will feature a carnival/fair/festival-inspired atmosphere, offering something for everyone, including food, door prizes, inspiring speakers, and community resources. Attendees will also see the recognition of community partners who have made a significant impact on RAP’s mission in 2024, along with the celebration of positive youth achievements.
This event is completely free to attend, but registration is required. Childcare for children ages 6-14 is available (please mention when registering).
Bilingual Spanish services will also be offered (please indicate when registering).
Featured Panels:
- “Ask A Family Law Attorney” – with Community Christian Legal Aid and Texas Legal Services Center
- Navigating Family Grief and Loss
- Peer Support: “You Are Not Alone” – with Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (TXGRG)
Event Details
When:
Saturday, February 22, 2025
9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Where:
DePelchin Children’s Center
4950 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77007
Why Attend?
In 2024, RAP provided vital support to kinship families through connections with nonprofits, schools, churches, and community organizations. The 2025 conference is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the dedication of kinship families, introduce new resources, and foster community connections to help empower families in the year ahead.
Media Opportunities:
- Inspirational stories from kinship caregivers raising youth and keeping them out of state care.
- Interviews with attendees and key speakers.
- Visuals of the lively, festive atmosphere of the conference.
RSVP for Media:
Media representatives interested in attending must RSVP by 7 PM on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, by emailing:
Moiya Press-Jackson at [email protected]
