Anita Neaves is a kinship caregiver and Program Manager for High Country Caregivers, a nonprofit organization that provides support, advocacy, and education for kinship caregivers in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Before joining High Country Caregivers, Anita spent 30 years working in the medical field, including 12 years as an office manager for a skilled nursing facility.
Anita became a kinship caregiver in 2021 when she began caring for three of her grandchildren, whom she later adopted. Navigating multiple systems while working full time and caring for three young children was challenging, but the experience strengthened her appreciation for family, community, and the importance of having support along the way. She is especially proud that her own experience now allows her to help other grandparents and kinship caregivers navigate the challenges and celebrate the joys of their caregiving journeys.
Through GKU, Anita hopes to learn more about available resources, better understand how systems work, and strengthen her skills so she can continue helping other kinship families effectively.