Linda Porter is a kinship caregiver, family advocate, and consultant who has dedicated her career to developing programs that support children and families. She established Washington State’s first crisis nursery in 1982 and later helped develop and lead other crisis nursery, respite, and therapeutic childcare programs. Linda has also supported Native American families through Indian Child Welfare advocacy and served for 20 years as a delegate from her Tribe to a local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committee.
Linda’s experience raising grandchildren strengthened her commitment to prevention, family connection, and ensuring kinship caregivers are respected as partners in decisions affecting children. She says her children have been her greatest teachers, helping her understand perseverance, resilience, identity, and the importance of keeping children connected to their families and cultures.
Through GKU, Linda hopes to learn alongside other kinship caregivers, strengthen her storytelling, and help improve how communities and systems understand and support kinship families.