Vision 2020: An Exciting Announcement from Our Founder

​        Here we are, less than 2 weeks away from a new decade. I’m almost positive I’ve driven everyone dear to me completely bonkers with my continued persistence that we speak openly about each others “vision 2020”. I can’t help it. By the time December comes around each year, my reflective and nostalgic nature are bolstered by the shift and anticipation; I’m sure I am not alone in this.

        My enthusiasm for goal-refinement is endearingly nauseating, or at least I like to think so. This preoccupation I hold could be perceived by others just as one experiences a lenticular cloud – looming, inspiring, but sometimes alarming and unsettling. The fascinating thing about this particular cloud-curiosity is that while it appears stationary, in actuality, it is shaped and repeatedly transformed by the wind as new air rises upward, typically over a mountain, until the airflow stops, and the cloud dissipates. 

        Running a service-oriented business feels a lot like this natural phenomenon. We are constructed, and continuously reformed by our environment, even though to the outside eye, we appear steady and strong. Our inner workings are in a constant state of rumination and responsiveness, considering ways to better help our clients – families, nannies, and children – live their best lives, while simultaneously absorbing all we can within our sphere in the hopes of expanding our reach as wide as possible. 

        We are proud that in 2019, roughly 80% of our successful placements included QSEHRA healthcare reimbursements, providing nannies the crucial funds from their employers to purchase health insurance. 93% of our placements were a lasting success for both the nannies and families, keeping that partnership strong. We also greatly expanded our mission, delivering lectures on self-care for nannies, and on every agency’s operational call under the historical lens of domestic work, at both the International Nanny Association conference and Nannypalooza, as well as delivering the keynote address at the Association of Premier Nanny Agencies’ conference. We have employed four wonderful internal staff members who have kept the wheel turning with grit and soul for the length of their respective tenures. I have testified before the New York City Council in support of domestic workers' protections in this city by expanding the definition of “employer” under the law.  And most exciting of all, we saw so many new babies born to incredible mothers and fathers, families and candidates alike. We have laughed and cried with other agency owners around the country, and bonded over the highs and lows of giving it your all, sometimes around a pool, sometimes around a piano, and sometimes in a hotel ballroom. 

So, now on to our vision 2020.

        For us at KITH & KIN, this persistent reflection upon our operations, community, and strengths of our colleagues led us to an exciting opportunity to do more, and go further. After several years of growing admiration, working together on searches, standing up for domestic employees' rights, and a couple of road trips and work conferences, we couldn’t be prouder to announce that we are uniting with Adventure Nannies, a nationwide placement agency. Beginning in January of 2020, I will be joining the team as a placement counselor and, in addition to supporting our families with their searches, will be continuing to serve the nanny community as a public speaker, community builder, and advocate.

        If you haven’t heard of Adventure Nannies yet, I would love to share a few anecdotes about the agency and their staff that I have grown to love over the past 3 years. In 2019 alone, Adventure Nannies won two of the most prestigious awards in our industry: The Excellence Award, and Innovation Award. They also launched two new services, totally free of charge, to help nannies in their personal and professional development – Summit Sessions, regular Facebook Live trainings centered around various topics, and Adventure Nannies On Air, a podcast hosted by the co-founders Brandy and Shenandoah that has already received nearly 5,000 plays in the first few months of going live! These two services require a tremendous amount of time and sacrifice. Lastly, their staff has grown by several members who all share the same values: caring deeply, giving it their all, and always striving for improvement. I am so excited and honored to join their league.

        While our individual closure may come as a disappointment to some, I can assure you that this isn’t so much a disappearance of KITH & KIN, but rather, an evolution of our shared mission to connect exceptional care providers with vibrant and respectful families. Joining forces with an agency that is such a respected, nationwide powerhouse will not only further our goal of providing superior service, but will consequently strengthen our ability to reach even more inspiring people. Every action we collectively take comes down to this intention, our namesake: kith and kin. Friends and family. 

        

Thank you for your continued support and patronage over these past several years.

Because of you, we were able to facilitate high-quality care for hundreds of children around this city.
​
Because of you, we were able to create jobs for hundreds of domestic workers, affecting their livelihoods and stability of their own families.

Because of you, we were able to support working parents by giving peace of mind, knowing their whole worlds were well-cared for in their absence. 

​Thank you for making all
​of this possible. We look forward to serving you
​in 2020 at
Adventure Nannies.

​
Warmly,

Christa D. Nader

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Enjoy some snapshots of our KITH & KIN history. We wouldn't be the company we have become without these experiences, and more.