Our Story

A private operating foundation since 2007, Second Family Foundation, operates in the Orange County, North Carolina communities. The Second Family Programs were developed by the Second Family Foundation in conjunction with the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Initially focused on the teenage foster care population, SFF works with teens who are experiencing risky situations, including foster care. 

”To whom much is given much is expected.”

With the commitment to “first, do no harm”, Second Family’s goal is to improve the lives of youth by providing resources so these youths will have the best chance to develop to their full potential mentally, physically and spiritually; the tenets of SFF. The Second Family Foundation’s research review and efforts have led to the development of its programs.

CHRONOLOGY           

2007     Entered into Memo of Understanding with OCDSS

             Hired Executive Director – Holly Kunkel

             Began work with 2 youth!

2008     Two more youth, now at four (then adding 2 each year)

              UNC SSW Jordan Institute Report concluded

2012     Paused adding new youth in order to conduct research

             Now connected with ten youth in original SFF Program

2013     Mike Fliss concludes Research Project (NCDSS) A New View of Foster Care…

              Hired first Driver through SFF/OCDSS partnership

2014      Blair Nell concludes Orange County Foster Care Focus Group Project & Report

2015      SFFit program starts (through 2019)

              Quincy Ellzey concludes Research Papers I &II

2016     SFWorks program starts!

             Hired more Drivers/Job Coaches

2017     Recruiting more youth, Drivers/Job Coaches & employers for program expansion

              Established partnership with Wheels4Hope

2022    Continuing to recruit youth that flow into the SFEmerge program (whole person/SFF tenets)

Seeking A True Second Family

For those youth that demonstrate an interest and effort in SFF, the foundation offers a number of other services designed to give young adults opportunities to succeed later in life including assistance in job placement and financial assistance through college all with the expectation that the youth will “pay it forward.” Support continues after high school and SFWorks with Second Family supporting the youth’s chosen “next educational step”.

Pay It Forward

Second Family believes that a youth’s main job is self-development, and that one should be working on personal intellectual, physical, and spiritual development weekly, the 7 Tenets of SFF. When youth are working on their self-development, this is considered giving back. As with the ‘pay it forward’ concept, our hope is that later in life, these youth will reflect on their experiences with Second Family and extend a similar helping hand to youth in need.

SFF 7 Tenets

No Lying, Cheating or Stealing; Bettering One’s Mind, Body & Spirit; and Making Life Better for Others

Who We Are

Holly Kunkel Ainsley, Executive Director 

Holly has been with SFF since its inception in 2007. Her favorite food is nachos. She enjoys running and also likes a good game of tennis or doing some cleans in the gym. Holly’s first job was working at a hometown local hardware store.

Vickie Fornville, Lead SFF Technician

Vickie started with SFF in 2019. Her favorite food is anything out of the water and her favorite workout is dancing. Vickie’s first job was at McDonald’s. She began her North Carolina civil service career at the age of 16 and is now retired.

Shiala Baldwin, SFF Technician 

Shiala joined SFF in 2021. Her favorite comfort food is Chinese and she loves shoes, UNC basketball, and woodworking. Shiala’s first job was at Sports Endeavors. Shiala’s career has been focused on giving back to her community.