Blog
How MyMy and GamGam Are Starting the School Year Strong with ASCI
Each month, A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI) amplifies the voices of our kinship families. Through these stories, we highlight the experiences of children and caregivers navigating kinship care and the supports that help families thrive.
For more than 33 years, ASCI has been a leader in kinship care, supporting children and families through comprehensive, family-centered services. With a presence in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, ASCI brings decades of experience and a unique service model that connects children and caregivers with resources, education, youth programming, therapeutic support, and ongoing guidance throughout their kinship journey.
This month, ASCI spoke with MyMy and her grandmother, GamGam, about preparing for a new school year, the excitement of new milestones, and the importance of having a strong village of support behind every child.
For many students, the first day of school brings a mix of excitement, anticipation, and uncertainty. A new classroom, unfamiliar routines, new teachers, and higher expectations can bring a wave of emotions as children prepare for another year of learning and growth. For some students, the transition represents a fresh start, building new friendships, and continuing to become the person they are meant to be.
For MyMy, the beginning of sixth grade marks an exciting milestone as she prepares to enter middle school. While moving into a new school environment can feel overwhelming for many students, MyMy is approaching this next chapter with confidence and excitement.
She is looking forward to seeing her friends, meeting her new teachers, and exploring one of her favorite subjects: math.
That confidence reflects the encouragement, relationships, and support systems that surround her. With a strong foundation at home, and a village of caring adults invested in her success, MyMy is entering the school year knowing she has people cheering her on every step of the way.
When asked what she would say to another student who may feel nervous about starting middle school, her message was simple but powerful:
“It’s okay to be scared, but school is cool.”
— MyMy
That confidence did not happen overnight. Behind MyMy’s excitement is a strong circle of support, and ASCI has played an important role in helping her and her family feel prepared for each new chapter. This kind of comprehensive, family-centered support reflects ASCI’s broader approach to kinship care, connecting children and caregivers with the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive.
More Than School Supplies
Back-to-school preparation is about more than backpacks, notebooks, and pencils. It is about making sure children feel confident, caregivers feel supported, and families have access to the resources they need to succeed throughout the year.
For MyMy, that support has included participation in ASCI’s YES (Youth Engagement Services) Program, where learning, connection, and personal growth continue beyond the classroom. Through educational experiences, field trips, mentoring, and positive relationships with supportive adults, ASCI helps young people build confidence and discover new interests. Reflecting on her experience, MyMy shared:
In 2025, ASCI’s YES Program served 43 youth, providing opportunities to build relationships, explore new interests, develop confidence, and strengthen skills they can carry into the classroom and beyond.
“I like this summer camp. My favorite was the History Center. I want to come back next year.”
— MyMy
MyMy’s experience highlights the lasting impact of meaningful youth programming. Through ASCI’s YES Program, young people are given opportunities to build relationships, engage with their peers, explore new interests, and develop greater confidence in themselves. These experiences can extend beyond the program, helping youth carry new skills, connections, and a stronger sense of self into the classroom and other areas of their lives.
As a YES Worker II, Gary Alred understands the importance of creating spaces where young people can build confidence, connect with their peers, and feel comfortable being themselves. He reflected on MyMy’s growth throughout the program:
I am extremely proud of MyMy because she went from being shy to opening up to other youth in the program. I watched her confidence boost. By the end of camp, she was much more engaged. I wish her the best for her school year.
—Gary Alred
For MyMy, returning to school means bringing more than a backpack and school supplies. She enters the new school year with greater confidence, new experiences, and the reassurance that she has a community of supportive adults cheering her on. Through positive relationships, enrichment opportunities, and spaces where young people can discover their strengths, ASCI helps youth develop the confidence and social-emotional skills needed to navigate challenges, embrace new opportunities, and recognize their own potential.
A Support System for GamGam
While MyMy prepares for the excitement of middle school, her grandmother, GamGam, has been preparing in another important way: building the support system needed to help her grandchildren thrive. For caregivers, preparing a child for success goes beyond school supplies and schedules. It means creating stability, providing encouragement, and ensuring children have the support they need to feel safe, confident, and ready for what comes next.
When GamGam unexpectedly stepped into the role of caregiver, she found herself navigating the responsibilities of raising three grandchildren while adjusting to a new chapter of life. Like many kinship caregivers, she faced moments of uncertainty and questions about how to best support her family. What could have felt overwhelming became more manageable because she had a team walking alongside her.
Through home visits, regular check-ins, caregiver education, mentoring, and access to valuable resources, ASCI became a trusted partner and source of encouragement for GamGam and her family. The consistent support helped her build confidence in her role as a caregiver while ensuring her grandchildren had the foundation they needed to grow, learn, and succeed.
At the beginning, I was done. I didn’t know what I was going to do with three kids. They’ve (ASCI) been marvelous. If I need somebody to talk to, whether it’s a home visit or a phone call, by the end of the conversation, I feel better. I trust them. It’s been an awesome experience.
— GamGam
Through kinship care education, encouragement, and ongoing support, ASCI helped GamGam gain confidence in her role as a caregiver while providing her with tools and strategies to support her grandchildren’s growth. Today, as MyMy prepares to enter middle school, GamGam has the reassurance of knowing she does not have to navigate the journey alone.
Every Child Deserves a Strong Start
A successful school year begins with relationships, encouragement, and a community that believes in every child’s potential. As MyMy walks through the doors of middle school, she does so with confidence, excitement, and the support of a grandmother who knows she has a team beside her.
For MyMy, the journey ahead is filled with opportunities to learn, explore, and continue growing. Her excitement for the school year reflects the confidence that comes from knowing she is supported, encouraged, and surrounded by people who believe in her future.
I’m excited to see my friends, meet my new teachers, and learn more math.
— MyMy
Through youth enrichment programs, caregiver education, mentoring, therapy, and year-round family support, ASCI continues to help children and families build the foundation needed to learn, grow, and thrive. As GamGam shared:
I thank A Second Chance for guiding us through this.
— GamGam
As a HIU Worker, Savannah Mynahan understands the importance of helping young people enter new seasons with confidence, advocacy, and a strong sense of belonging. She offered MyMy encouragement as she prepares to begin the school year:
I hope MyMy has a great school year. I believe in her ability to grow, learn, and make new friends. MyMy, you belong in every room you walk in to. Use your voice!
— Savannah Mynahan
Helping Families Start Strong
Every school year brings new opportunities, challenges, and milestones. ASCI is excited to celebrate this new chapter with MyMy, GamGam, and the many children and caregivers across our community who are preparing for another year of learning, growth, and possibility.
While every family’s journey looks different, ASCI remains committed to standing alongside children and caregivers by providing the support, resources, and relationships that help families succeed, not only during back-to-school season, but throughout every stage of their journey.
For more than three decades, ASCI has worked to strengthen kinship families and create opportunities for children to thrive. From caregiver support and education to youth programming and other family-centered services, our work reaches beyond a single moment of need to support families throughout their journey.
MyMy’s story is one example of what can happen when children have access to consistent support, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to discover their own strengths. Through programs such as YES and its broader network of family-centered services, ASCI continues to create spaces where children can build confidence, find their voice, and recognize that they belong.
Learn more about ASCI’s programs and services, get involved, or support our mission by visiting our website. Together, we can help every child begin the school year and every new chapter of life knowing they are supported, valued, and capable of great things.
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