LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville woman is devoted to keeping children out of Kentucky's foster care system.

The foster care system is overwhelmed right now. In July, WDRB News reported 90 Kentucky foster children have slept on cots in government buildings and showering at YMCAs this year after not being placed in the care they need.

But, one grandmother is motivated to help parents before they're forced to give up their children.

"When we were one and two years old, our mom left the picture," Carletta Kilgore, who moved to Louisville from Grand Rapid, Michigan, said. "We were actually up for adoption when my dad knew he had to get it together and come get us."

Carletta Kilgore and Kerwin Kilgore

Carletta Kilgore and her brother Kerwin Kilgore. (Photo courtesy of Carletta Kilgore)

Carletta Kilgore's childhood shaped her into the mom, grandmother, and foster care parent she is today.

"I didn't know my mom's side of the family. But I knew my dad. So I said, I didn't want no child to not know their families," Kilgore said.

In 2018, she and her brother came up with 'Family Matters.' Located in the Russell community, she now serves 56 families, helping them get back to a strong, healthy, joyful relationship with their loved ones.

"I know them by name. They're not a case number to me. I know every last one of my clients now," Kilgore said.

For many family court cases, a judge orders specific tasks for each party before ruling on a custody agreement.

Often times, the Jefferson County Family Court System will refer families to Family Matters.

"A lot of the youth and the younger children actually feel like they don't have a voice. And it's important because that's how they end up acting out a lot. And it causes mental health issues, as well as a lot of other major factors," Eva Snadln, who volunteers at Family Matters, said.

Within the Louisville Central Community Center, Kilgore provides parenting and anger management classes, and supervises foster parent, parent visitation.

Tiffany Williams used to be one of her clients.

"I felt safe that my child was safe. My grandbaby was safe with them. And you know, they just take care of the children so they have a real affinity for the child and making sure that that is the focus of the visitation and the services," Williams said. "I cannot believe that more people don't know about the service and use the service because it's definitely needed."

The goal is to reunite kids with their families.

"Just children being neglected all together. It just it just breaks my heart. So I'm like, I can't take them all home, but that's what I want to do. You don't want to just love on them. And just make sure that they get to understand me that we do hear you, we do hear you, we do see," Kilgore said. "I want all the families to be families, you know, I want everybody to love everybody, because I didn't have that."

Family Matters in the Russell Community

Carletta Kilgore is devoted to keeping children out of Kentucky's foster care system. (WDRB image)

Family Matters also helps families who live in Elizabethtown, Bowling Green, and Shelby County.

Kilgore said she is working toward turning it into a non-profit, but she needs more community partnerships to make that happen.

"If there's anyone in the city or outside of the city, if you can help out to help expand this program, I just encourage them to do so, because it's awesome. Programs like this are exactly what we need," Snadln said.

Family Matters is located at 1300 West Muhammad Ali Blvd., Suite 202 Louisville, KY 40203. For hours of operation and service fees, click here.

Kilgore is also a chef at Blak Koffee in West Louisville.

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