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Tracey’s kinship care journey is a powerful story of resilience, transformation, and one that can inspire all of us to break cycles of intergenerational trauma.  

After enduring a traumatic childhood, Tracey transformed his life, becoming a medical executive, successful entrepreneur, and a dedicated kinship care provider to his sister’s children. Drawing from his own experiences, the support of life-changing mentors, as well as resources from The Buckeye Ranch, Tracey provides a loving and empowering environment for his niece and nephews by helping them overcome challenges while fostering their growth.  

Through his commitment to break statistical barriers and healing, Tracey exemplifies the profound impact kinship caregivers can have in reshaping futures and creating lasting change for future generations. 

Forging an Improbable Path 

Tracey’s story begins with a family history profoundly impacted by intergenerational trauma, caretaker drug use, mental health misdiagnoses, and incarceration. Many members of his family, including himself, spent time in foster care. “This fracturing of our home environment created a chasm in our connections, making it difficult to build strong bonds. This directly impacts how I model family relationships with my kinship children today,” Tracey recalls.

By the time he turned 18, Tracey had been placed in 10 different homes. During this time Tracey endured many hardships and struggled with improperly diagnosed mental health challenges. As a result, young Tracey struggled with anger, focusing on school, and acting out behaviors. “I often dreamed someone would just ask, ‘What happened to you?’ and really listen, rather than assuming something was wrong with me,” he reflects. Rather than receiving the trauma-informed care he needed, Tracey was given harsh labels and endured bullying that distorted his thinking and damaged his self-esteem. Though Tracey knew deep down he had great potential, it took years for him to find the support he needed.

Finding His Comeback Moment 

At age 17, during a particularly low point, Tracey met his mentor, a staff member at the group home Tracey was staying in, and experienced what he calls his first ‘comeback’ moment.  His mentor ‘s shared experiences finally created the space for Tracey to connect with a figure of authority. “With this connection of similarities and vulnerabilities, he disempowered my excuses. He saw me for who I really was inside —a nerd with a gift that needed someone to notice.” He guided Tracey toward self-belief and accountability, teaching him to trust his inner voice and instilling in him the responsibility to develop into who he was meant to be. 

While this relationship changed Tracey’s life for the better, he still had challenges to overcome as he grew. At 21, he was incarcerated, fulfilling previous labels and expectations placed on him. “In prison, I was determined to renew my perspective and to become a person of value instead of a continuous liability and further statistic,” Tracey recalls. “I was tired of fighting the facade that I was something other than the loving, caring and compassionate person I knew I was in my heart.” He earned his GED while still in prison and educated himself about how intergenerational trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) correlate directly to negative health issues and life outcomes. Here, Tracey found his new mission – to help impact others affected like he was. “I forged an improbable path, determined to prove that trauma and mislabeling didn’t define me—or anyone else.” 

Once released from prison, Tracey excelled in an award-winning 24-year career in medical device, pharmaceutical, and laboratory sciences, focusing on addressing the impacts of trauma on physical and mental health. Today, Tracey is the CEO of The Comeback Group Ltd., where he is a trauma-informed speaker, coach, and consultant. “Today, I’m charged with an overarching goal of ‘breaking the stigma’ and helping people to ‘comeback ‘to their authentic power and identity; before trauma, before expectations and before situations out of their control.”   

Beginning His Kinship Care Journey

Having grown up in the foster care system and knowing he wanted to lift others, when Tracey was called on to provide kinship care for his niece and nephews, he knew he needed to be there for them and break the cycle of generational trauma.  His own experience of being cared for by an uncle who briefly became his kinship provider laid the foundation for his decision. “My uncle’s act of selflessness and sacrifice set the tone and model for how I approach family life. While the arrangement was short-lived, I thank and praise him for this daily. It’s my intention to have the same impact on my kinship children.” 

Five years ago, Tracey became a kinship provider to his niece Miracle, and nephews Michael and Savion. Today, Tracey holds legal guardianship of Miracle, age 6, and continues to support Savion, who at age 19 has aged out of the foster care system. He now maintains a co-parenting agreement with Michael’s, now 13, biological father. Tracey shares with pride, “I am the kids’ ‘Duncle’!” 

Supporting Biological Relationships as a Kinship Caregiver 

Tracey’s relationship with his sister, Miracle, Michael, and Savion’s mother, is very layered. His sister’s own struggles with mental health and difficulties processing trauma ultimately led to her releasing her children into the care of Franklin County Childrens Services after several years of instability. Tracey strives to quell any confusion the children may have, “I never speak poorly of their mother, instead I am open and honest about her circumstances. I field their questions while providing a safe space for them to reflect on and express their feelings,” Tracey shares. His approach is rooted in empowerment, teaching them that they can use their minds and experience to change the world, never letting hardship define them. 

Tracey is relieved knowing that his niece and nephews will grow up in the loving, supportive care of a family member, but new to kinship care – he struggled to know where to turn for the resources and support he needed to ensure the best possible life for the kids in his care. 

Finding Support Through The Buckeye Ranch 

Through his kinship care journey, Tracey was supported by The Buckeye Ranch Child Welfare Services team.  

He was connected to The Buckeye Ranch’s Permanent Family Solutions Network program team through Franklin County Children’s Services. The Permanent Family Solutions Network program is a managed care entity for Franklin County Children’s Services and works to support families in need with child protection and case management services, ensuring children who’ve experienced challenges within their family are supported. The program’s priority is always to support families in staying together whenever it is safe and in the best interest of the child.   

One of his biggest challenges prior to being connected to The Buckeye Ranch was the confusion about next steps as a kinship provider. “The Buckeye Ranch has helped me navigate these complexities and ensured I had access to what was necessary for the children’s well-being,” Tracey reflects. 

By collaborating closely with The Buckeye Ranch, Tracey received practical support, such as support with necessities such as bedding, clothing, school supplies, and even downpayment assistance – all of which helped relieve financial strain and allowed him to focus more on being a present and nurturing caregiver for the children. 

 “The Buckeye Ranch has been very proactive at staying in contact and keeping me abreast as to the progress of the children, and opportunities that exist as a kinship care provider,” Tracey shares. These resources, along with ongoing check-ins and communication, were instrumental in helping Tracey foster the strong, loving bonds that are essential for restoring hope and providing healing for Miracle, Michael, and Savion.  

Giving Voice to Empowerment 

Tracey’s approach to parenting is one filled with consistent optimism and support. “This approach creates an essential level of trust and comfort for the inevitable challenging moments, like encountering harsh direction, disappointment, and giving critical feedback,” Tracey shares. The surplus of praise and positive affirmations he freely gives his kids guarantees the tough moments are constructive, productive, and balanced by love. 

Tracey uses his shared experiences to guide his approach on his kinship care journey, “I understand what it feels like to be in the kids’ shoes and the levels of confusion that can come from not having your parents,” he says. To help them navigate these challenges, Tracey reminds the kids of their own gifts, using positive self-talk and affirmations to spur them towards their goals, “I empower them to build themselves up using the strength of their own voices.” Tracey also emphasizes the importance of being a role model, demonstrating values not just in his words, but in his actions. Tracey’s own role model was, in many ways, his mother; who, despite her own struggles with drug use and incarceration, rose beyond her circumstances by breaking statistical norms and seized opportunities to improve herself and help her son. Tracey draws on this example in his career and parenting style, “Because of her, I try to be an example of a man, patriarch, leader, empathizer, communicator, non-drug user, and hard worker.  This modeling lets the kids see what is possible, leaving breadcrumbs towards their own paths and goals.” 

Modeling Success with the Support of Community 

Despite finding fulfillment in creating a lasting, positive impact for the kids in his care, being a kinship caregiver is not without its challenges. At 45, Tracey admits that balancing his life with the demands of school-aged children can be difficult. “My fiancé and I should be in the stage of life where we’re traveling and enjoying some freedom, but the kids’ needs come first. It’s hard at times, but also rewarding.” Luckily, Tracey has a trusted support system helping him along the way. 

Tracey’s primary support on his kinship care journey is his fiancé and partner, Shavondra. According to Tracey, Shavondra plays a critical role providing a mother figure by displaying compassion, understanding, empathy, and most importantly, consistency. Tracey also leans on the aid of his godmother, step grandmother and mother-in-law – who all play roles of grandmothers to the children. Tracey also courts the time and energy of his male friends to act as uncles, who he lovingly refers to as ‘The Village’.

A Bright Future

When asked what parts of his kinship journey he is most proud of, Tracey outlined a heartwarming list of accomplishments for each of the youth in his care: 

With Savion, Tracey is most proud in the work they have done to rebuild Savion’s confidence and self-esteem while recovering from childhood trauma and the effects of two major surgeries that Tracey helped fight for. He has motivated Savion into embracing his musical talents, watched him graduate high school, learn to drive, get his license, and even purchase his first car. Today, they’re celebrating Savion recently achieving a management-level position at his first job! 

For Michael, Tracey is most proud of their work together to restore his sense of self-love and belief.  Tracey spent time vigorously advocating on behalf of Michael in school and helped him receive the support he needed to improve his grades.  Today, Michael is a long-standing honor roll student who is also thriving athletically and socially. 

Miracle, with Tracey’s help, is already reading way beyond her reading level as a first grader and excelling in ballet. Tracey enjoys watching her personality blossom as she is comfortable interacting with people of all ages and is comfortable in her own skin.  

Thanks to their community, Tracey’s family is thriving.  Savion is transitioning into adulthood, Michael has started high school and is excelling in basketball, and Miracle is blossoming into her unique self. As for Tracey, he’s transitioned away from the medical space into entrepreneurship as a speaker and consultant. “I’m showing the kids that it’s possible to live your dreams and impact others in the process.”

Tracey’s journey, from a childhood filled with trauma to becoming a loving and dedicated kinship caregiver, is a testament to the power that love, and stable relationships can have on a child.  

You can provide a loving, permanent home for youth in foster care who need your support today by becoming a kinship caregiver today. Reach out to our team today to take the first step in your journey.