Tuesday: If You’re New Here, Let’s Talk About KindNest

Sep 29

Maybe you've been following KindNest for a while.

Maybe you've seen a post or two.

Or maybe you just found us.

If you're new here, we wanted to take a few minutes today to explain who we are, why KindNest exists, how we've grown, and what you can find here now.

Because KindNest has changed quite a bit since it first began.

And we're still growing.

So, What Exactly Is KindNest?

The KindNest Project is a family-support nonprofit serving families in Michigan, with a focus on mothers, caregivers, babies, children, and families experiencing difficult seasons.

KindNest was officially started in February 2025.

The original idea was simple:

Families need support.

Sometimes that support looks like diapers.

Sometimes it's baby supplies.

Sometimes it's clothing.

Sometimes it's a care package.

And sometimes the thing a family needs most isn't something we can put in a box at all.

Sometimes they need to know:

Where do I go for food?

Who can help me with child care?

Where can I find housing assistance?

Is there transportation available?

Who can I call?

What programs might I qualify for?

That's where the idea of KindNest began growing beyond simply providing physical items.

From Essentials to Something Bigger

When KindNest first began, the focus was heavily centered around meeting immediate needs.

Things families could actually use right away.

Diapers.

Wipes.

Baby items.

Clothing.

Hygiene supplies.

Food and household essentials.

Care packages.

Those needs haven't gone away.

In fact, they're still an important part of what KindNest does.

But as we've listened to families and learned more about the needs in our community, something became very clear:

A family may need more than one thing.

A mom might need diapers today but also need help finding child care.

A parent might need baby clothes but also need help locating food assistance.

A caregiver might need a care package but also need transportation to an appointment.

And sometimes a family doesn't know exactly what they need yet.

They just know:

"I'm struggling, and I don't know where to start."

That's why KindNest has continued expanding its focus.

The KindNest Resource Library

One of the biggest changes has been the development of the KindNest Resource Library.

Instead of expecting families to search through dozens of websites trying to figure out who might be able to help, KindNest is building a place where families can start their search.

The Resource Library includes connections and information related to things such as:

Pregnancy
Parenting
Baby essentials
Food assistance
Housing
Mental health
Child care
Infant care
Employment
Family stabilization
Community assistance

The goal isn't to pretend KindNest provides every one of these services.

We don't.

Instead, we want to help families find organizations and programs that may be able to provide the support they need.

And because outside programs can change their eligibility, availability, hours and funding, we encourage families to contact each organization directly to confirm current information.

Start Here:

KindNest Resource Library
https://www.kindnestproject.org/resource-library

What If You Actually Need Help From KindNest?

That's what the Request Support option is for.

If your family is experiencing hardship and you need baby or children's essentials, you can submit a request to KindNest.

Depending on current inventory and available resources, support may include things such as:

Diapers
Wipes
Baby essentials
Children's clothing
Hygiene supplies
Care-package items
Other available family essentials

One important thing to understand is that submitting a request does not guarantee that every requested item will be available.

KindNest works with what is currently available and what families need.

But if you need help, asking is okay.

Request KindNest Support:

https://www.kindnestproject.org/receive-assistance

KindNest Has Also Grown Through Community

KindNest isn't just about what happens between the organization and a family.

It takes a community to make this work possible.

Donors.

Volunteers.

Businesses.

Churches.

Schools.

Community organizations.

Interns.

People who share our posts.

People who donate a box of diapers.

People who give $25.

People who connect us with another organization.

People who simply tell another mom:

"You should check out KindNest."

Every one of those things helps build the larger support system around families.

And Yes, KindNest Is Still Growing

This is probably one of the most important things we want people to understand.

KindNest isn't finished.

We're building.

We're learning.

We're listening.

We're figuring out what families need and looking for ways to make the process of finding support easier.

The current vision is expanding beyond immediate essentials toward resources, community connections, caregiver opportunities, workforce pathways and longer-term family stabilization. The organization also has an emerging vision for future safe housing support.

That doesn't mean everything is available today.

It means we're thinking about where families need support next.

If You Just Found KindNest, Here's Where to Start

You don't have to read everything we've ever posted.

You don't have to figure out the entire website.

Start with whichever one applies to you.

And If You're Thinking, "I Wish I Had Known About This Sooner..."

You're not alone.

That's actually one of the reasons we're talking about this today.

There are families who don't know what resources exist until they're already in a difficult situation.

There are moms who assume they won't qualify.

There are parents who are embarrassed to ask.

There are caregivers who spend hours searching online and still don't know who to call.

And there are people who simply haven't heard of KindNest yet.

So if you're reading this today, help us change that.

Share this post.

Send someone to the Resource Library.

Tell another mom about KindNest.

Tell a community organization about us.

Or simply follow along.

Because sometimes the difference between a family feeling completely overwhelmed and feeling like they have somewhere to start is one connection.

Where KindNest Is Going

We don't want KindNest to simply be a place where families come when they're in crisis.

We want it to become a place where families can find support, information, connection and opportunity.

A place where asking for help doesn't feel embarrassing.

A place where a mom can find a resource without spending three hours searching.

A place where community members can find meaningful ways to give back.

A place where organizations can connect with one another.

And a place where families can feel like someone is actually listening.

That's the KindNest we're continuing to build.

If You're New Here, Welcome.

Whether you found us yesterday, six months ago, or today:

We're glad you're here.

If you need help, we hope you'll reach out.

If you have information that could help another family, share it.

If you have something to give, we'd love to have you be part of the village.

And if you're simply here to learn and follow along—

that's okay, too.

Because building a stronger community starts with people knowing that the community exists.

Tuesday Question

If you've been following KindNest for a while:

What was the first thing that brought you here?

And if you're brand new:

What would you like to see more of from KindNest?

Resources?

Local programs?

Family activities?

Ways to save money?

Baby and parenting information?

Stories from the community?

Ways to help?

Tell us in the comments.

We want to keep building KindNest around what families and our community actually need.

KindNest Project, Flint Michigan, Family Support, Michigan Families, Community Resources, Family Resources, Moms, Parenting, Nonprofit, KindNest Resource Library

Heather Taylor