There are many reasons why marriages don’t work out.”People change, they grow, they grow into themselves,” said Chris Kast, of Portland.For Kast, the question became what to do next.”And I went in and took a couple of their classes just to understand how to walk through this minefield — not just for the parents breaking up but most importantly for the kids,” he said.He found direction through Kids First — an organization that helps ease the anxiety, stress, and emotional toll children face when parents are in conflict.”But the most important thing is to understand that organizations like Kids First, the reason it’s Kids First, it’s a wonderful name because you put your kids first. You put their needs first, and their needs are just financial. I mean, it’s the financial is there, but they’re emotional needs,” Kast said.Karen MacDonald, a licensed clinical social worker and longtime facilitator at Kids First, she’s been with the organization for 20 years.”So, we’re always helping kids, either directly or indirectly. So, we have the kids support group, which is direct with kids. And then we also have five parenting classes,” said MacDonald.She says the program helps parents build essential skills, like healthy communication.”Oftentimes I hear the kids are feeling in the middle. Sometimes they even feel like it’s their fault. So, you know, it’s really valuable for parents to talk because kids can handle divorce and separation. What they can’t handle is the conflict. And not talking is conflict,” said MacDonald.For Kast, Kids First didn’t just ease the transition — it laid the foundation for something new.A marriage to Byron, now 15 years strong … and a deep connection with all their children and grandchildren.”I’m thrilled with the relationship I’m able to have with my kids and now my grandkids. And I don’t necessarily know that it would be as solid as it is now with my kids. Mom and my kids, if it weren’t for just the basics that I learned and we learned and we talked about through intersecting with Kids First,” said Chris.For more information or to donate, visit www.kidsfirstcenter.org.
There are many reasons why marriages don’t work out.
“People change, they grow, they grow into themselves,” said Chris Kast, of Portland.
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For Kast, the question became what to do next.
“And I went in and took a couple of their classes just to understand how to walk through this minefield — not just for the parents breaking up but most importantly for the kids,” he said.
He found direction through Kids First — an organization that helps ease the anxiety, stress, and emotional toll children face when parents are in conflict.
“But the most important thing is to understand that organizations like Kids First, the reason it’s Kids First, it’s a wonderful name because you put your kids first. You put their needs first, and their needs are just financial. I mean, it’s the financial is there, but they’re emotional needs,” Kast said.
Karen MacDonald, a licensed clinical social worker and longtime facilitator at Kids First, she’s been with the organization for 20 years.
“So, we’re always helping kids, either directly or indirectly. So, we have the kids support group, which is direct with kids. And then we also have five parenting classes,” said MacDonald.
She says the program helps parents build essential skills, like healthy communication.
“Oftentimes I hear the kids are feeling in the middle. Sometimes they even feel like it’s their fault. So, you know, it’s really valuable for parents to talk because kids can handle divorce and separation. What they can’t handle is the conflict. And not talking is conflict,” said MacDonald.
For Kast, Kids First didn’t just ease the transition — it laid the foundation for something new.
A marriage to Byron, now 15 years strong … and a deep connection with all their children and grandchildren.
“I’m thrilled with the relationship I’m able to have with my kids and now my grandkids. And I don’t necessarily know that it would be as solid as it is now with my kids. Mom and my kids, if it weren’t for just the basics that I learned and we learned and we talked about through intersecting with Kids First,” said Chris.
For more information or to donate, visit www.kidsfirstcenter.org.
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