Family Action Network Spotlight: Aleaha Robinson

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and your family. Where are you from, and what does family life look like for you?

A. I’m from Columbus, Ohio, and I’m part of a blended family with four kids and one adult kiddo. With everyone in different stages of life, our house is definitely never boring!

At home, we’re balancing work, school, daycare, homework, activities, appointments, and all the everyday things that come with raising a family. We have a 1-year-old discovering the world, a fresh kindergartener starting a whole new chapter, older kids growing into their own, and an adult kiddo building a life of their own. Every day looks a little different, and there is always something happening.

I also work for a local nonprofit that supports children and families in our community. I get to work with kids through educational and summer programming, helping create opportunities for them to learn, grow, have fun, and feel supported. Being around children both at work and at home has given me a whole different appreciation for every stage of childhood.

Between work, school, family, and everything in between, life can be busy, loud, funny, exhausting, and a little chaotic—but it is also full of love, laughter, and so many moments that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Being part of a blended family has taught me that family doesn’t have to look one specific way. It’s about showing up for each other, giving grace, making memories, and creating a place where everyone knows they belong.

I’m incredibly proud of the family we’re building and the life we’re creating together. It may not always be perfect, but it’s ours—and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Q. What inspired you to get involved in advocacy for young children and families? What’s your “why”?

A. My “why” has really developed over time. I’ve always believed that life happens to all of us, and at different points, we all need support. But becoming a mother myself made me see these things in a very different way.

During my first pregnancy, money was tight, and I found myself trying to navigate different systems and resources, including Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services (ODJFS), and other forms of assistance. The majority did not apply to me. I remember trying to figure out what I was going to do, eventually I figured it out—not only for myself, but for my baby.

That experience stayed with me.

As I continued working hand in hand with children and families, I began seeing that my experience was not unique. I saw women and children dealing with similar challenges every day, and sometimes situations that were much harder. I also began to understand that while systems can help families, they can also leave people behind when they don't fit neatly into the qualifications.

A family can be struggling and still not qualify for assistance. They can be working, paying their bills, trying to provide for their children, and doing everything they can, but still find themselves without the support they need.

That has become a big part of my “why.”

I want to advocate for the families who may fall through those gaps. I want to listen to their stories, understand what they're going through, and help connect them with resources and support whenever possible.

Becoming a mother made this even more personal for me. When you're trying to make things work for yourself, you're also thinking about your child and their future.

Life doesn't always fit into a checklist or a qualification box. Families are more than their circumstances, and sometimes advocacy means making sure the families who don't “qualify” aren't forgotten.

Q. What are some of the biggest issues you care about as a parent or caregiver?

A. As a parent, one of my biggest concerns is having enough for my children while also being able to survive for them.

I want my kids to have what they need, have opportunities, and feel safe and supported, but life doesn't always make that easy. Bills still have to be paid, food has to be on the table, child care has to be figured out, and unexpected things happen. You can be doing everything you can as a parent and still feel like you're barely keeping everything together.

I've experienced what it feels like to need help and not qualify for it. I've also seen families qualify for assistance but only receive a certain amount, and even with that support, they are still struggling. You can be grateful for the help and still feel defeated because it doesn't always cover what your family actually needs.

That's one of the biggest issues I care about—the space between getting some help and actually having enough.

I think parents are often doing everything they can to provide for their children while quietly trying to survive themselves. I want families to have support that allows them to do more than just get through the day. I want parents to feel supported instead of judged or defeated, and I want children to have the stability, opportunities, and care they deserve.

Q. What are your hopes for the future of Ohio’s children and families?

A. My hope for the future of Ohio’s children and families is that every child has access to what they need, regardless of their family’s circumstances or parental status.

I want families to have programs and resources available when they actually need them—not only when they fit perfectly into a qualification or a specific situation. Life happens, and families can struggle for so many different reasons. I hope we can continue building programs that meet families where they are and help them move forward instead of making them feel defeated.

I want children to have safe places where they feel supported, heard, and able to just be children. Every child deserves opportunities to learn, grow, build relationships, and discover what they are capable of.

A child's opportunities should not be based solely on their circumstances or what their family may be going through.

I also hope there continues to be funding and support for the organizations, nonprofits, educators, and community programs doing this work every day. These programs are important because they often become the support system for families when they need one.

Ultimately, I want Ohio to be a place where families don't have to struggle alone and where children have access to opportunities and support regardless of where they come from or what their family is experiencing.

I want children to thrive, families to feel supported, and the people doing the work to have the resources they need to keep showing up.

Q. What message would you share with other families who feel like they’re alone in this work?

My message to other families is you do not have to have it all together. None of us do. Sometimes we are just doing the best we can to get through the day, make sure our kids are okay, and figure out what comes next. And that is okay.

If you feel alone, I want you to know that you are not the only one who feels that way. There are so many parents carrying things that other people never see—financial stress, child care struggles, work, family responsibilities, or simply trying to make sure their children have enough. You don't have to be embarrassed about needing help.

Speak up. Ask questions. Ask for help. Tell someone what you're going through. And if you don't feel heard the first time, don't just stop—keep speaking until someone listens. You know your family and your children better than anyone else, and you deserve to have your voice heard.

I also believe that if you are in a place where you have the support you need and you have things together, don't forget about the families who may not be there yet. Help when you can. Share what you know. Connect someone to a resource. Be the person who answers the phone, opens a door, listens without judgment, or simply reminds another parent that they are doing a good job.

We all need a village at some point in our lives. Sometimes we're the ones who need the village, and sometimes we're the ones who get to be part of someone else's.

You are not failing because you need help. You are human. Your circumstances do not define you or your ability to be a good parent. Keep asking, keep advocating, keep showing up for your family—and when you can, reach back and help someone else along the way.

Q. What does it mean to you for every young child to reach their full potential?

A. To me, for every young child to reach their full potential means having the opportunity to become who they are meant to be, regardless of where they come from or what their circumstances may be and may not be.

Every child is different. They learn differently, grow differently, and have different strengths. I don't think reaching your full potential means every child has to achieve the same things. It means having someone who sees something in you, encourages you, and gives you the opportunity to discover what you're capable of.

I also think children need adults who will advocate for them. Sometimes a child may not have the words to ask for what they need, or their family may not know where to turn. That's where having a village matters.

For me, every child reaching their full potential means having access to support, safe spaces, education, opportunities, and people who believe in them—even when life isn't perfect or "is perfect".