BALTIMORE COUNTY — Balancing addiction recovery with the responsibilities of parenthood can be a daunting task. For many parents navigating this challenging journey, the lack of childcare during support sessions exacerbates the difficulties they face. Fortunately, Evolv KidsCare, a nonprofit organization in Pasadena, is stepping up to offer an important service for parents in recovery.

Evolv KidsCare offers free childcare for parents attending 12-step recovery meetings, allowing them to focus on their recovery while ensuring their child is in a safe and supportive environment. With over 300 families currently, the organization regularly changes locations to accommodate parents and their children.

“I’m recovering from substance abuse, crack cocaine, self-obsession, and a bunch of other things that I let plague my life,” said Tyreen Moore, a Baltimore City resident who is two years into his recovery journey.

Lucille Pruitt, an Anne Arundel County resident with five years of sobriety, echoed those sentiments and emphasized the importance of community and connection between individuals in recovery.

“One thing I’ve noticed with people in recovery, myself included, is that we feel very disconnected from the rest of the world. Meetings provide a place where we all feel disconnected, so we can connect with each other,” she noted. .

However, the presence of children at these meetings can complicate the support process. Pruitt highlighted the challenges of seeking advice from other parents about their children’s problems when the children are present.

“I can’t talk to other women and be like, ‘Hey, my kids are driving me crazy,’ if they’re there listening to it,” she explained.

Evolv KidsCare addresses this gap by empowering parents to leave their children during recovery appointments, allowing for a more focused and guilt-free experience.

“We want people to choose this because it’s a healthy option for their kids to also have a healthy option,” said Chris Pederson, Vice President of Evolv KidsCare.

The program not only benefits parents but also provides children with a supportive environment. “We get to play with some of our friends sometimes if they come over,” said Ayden Moore, Tyreen’s son. Kids like Ayden enjoy making new friends while their parents are in recovery.

As the need for such resources grows, Evolv KidsCare is working to establish a permanent facility to better serve families. Officials are in the final stages of planning and expect to be operational in February.

Parents who are currently in an active addiction are encouraged to seek help, knowing that resources like Evolv KidsCare are there to support them. “There are people out there, whether they know us personally or not, who care about us,” Pruitt reassured.

Evolv KidsCare continues to champion the philosophy that recovery and parenting can coexist harmoniously, helping families transform their lives and futures.