Meet Kristen Donohue Guardado. She helps abused, neglected children through Project KARE

Kristen Donohue Guardado is the chairperson for Project KARE .

The nonprofit raises money for abused, neglected and dependent children and their families in Stark County. It also provides support for foster care and adoption efforts through the Stark County Job & Family Services.

Guardado, who also serves as a judge in Canton Municipal Court, is married to Vince Guardado and they have two sons, Vincent and Nicholas.

They have three dogs, Tux, GiGi and Roxy. And, each of her sons has a dog. Vincent has Nami and Nicholas has Minnie. Tux is a black lab and the other four are rottweilers.

Guardado graduated from McKinley Senior High School before earning a finance degree from the University of Akron and law degree from the University for Akron School of Law.

In addition to her work with Project KARE, she has been involved with the community in many ways, including being part of the Stark County and American Bar Associations, Ohio School Boards Association, National School Association, Golden Eagle Athletic Association Auction Committee, Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Canton Ex-Newsboys, and Women's Impact.

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What is Project KARE and who it serves?

Project KARE stands for Kids Are the Responsibility of Everyone.

Project KARE is a 501c3 charitable organization that believes every child is special and no child deserves to be denied what other children experience due to their families situation. These children are many times denied the gifts of our society because they come from homes where there is abuse and/or neglect or they have been abandoned.

These children are under the care of Stark County Job & Family Services, and may have suffered a variety of abuses in their young lives. They may live with foster parents, with relatives, with their own parents or in other residential settings. Project KARE developed through the Stark County Job & Family Services, Children Services Division, wanting to provide more for the children and families they worked with daily.

Project KARE believes it is important to recognize these children as we do our very own children — on their birthdays, throughout the holiday season, when they return to school in the fall and when they graduate from high school and college with some fun activities.

Project KARE supports and recognizes foster parents who care for Stark County's most vulnerable children.

How long have you been involved with the organization and why did you want to serve on the board?

I have been involved since 2007 but as a board member since 2012.

What have been some of the challenges for the organization?

A few of the challenges include coming up with new and exciting fundraising opportunities to support all of Project KARE’S events.

The events provide opportunities for children in Stark County’s child welfare system to participate. The needs get greater each year and, each year, it requires more money and donations to keep even the status quo of past years.

What have been some of the successes of the organization?

Each year, we grow and are able to provide for more children. For Christmas 2023, Project KARE was able to provide Christmas gifts for over 850 children through the generous donations of our community supporting adopt-a-child, adopt-a-teen, stocking stuffers and toy/donation drives.

We also send out birthday cards with a gift card for every child in Stark County Jobs & Family Services custody on their birthday. We have received beautiful thank you notes from children and foster parents, indicating that for many children this was their first birthday gift.

This provides a great amount of joy to children of our community. Over 500 children received a birthday card from Project KARE last year.

Why do you think it is important for professionals to be involved with community organizations?

It is important to give back as a professional as it keeps you grounded, provides an understanding of your community and in giving you truly receive.

Without community involvement, many would not even be aware of the needs of the community.

Editor's note: Five questions with ... is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you'd like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Meet Kristen Donohue Guardado. She helps abused, neglected children through Project KARE