Our Story
According to the US Census, in the year 2000, and
the National Kinship Center, More than six million children - approximately 1 in 12 - are living in households headed by grandparents (4.5 million children) In many of these homes, grandparents (approximately 2.4 million) and other relatives are taking on primary responsibility for the children’s needs. Often they assume this responsibility without either of the child’s parents present in the home. Some of the many
challenges that the grandparents are facing include financial and legal
assistance, child care, mental health services, affordable housing, and to
maintain a bond and connect with their 3rd generation. In addition, many grandparents face
difficulties in enrolling their grandchild in school or obtaining medical
services due to informal arrangements with the biological absent parent(s).
The Impact
Furthermore statistics are being done now, that
connect the growing number of teen pregnancy, drug abuse, crimes by youth, and
educational drop outs, to children who have been raised by grandparents.
The gap should not grow any wider. Grandparents
need your help in raising their Grandchild.
What We Need & What You Get
Bridging the Gap between Gramps and Grand’s is a
three month program designed to help 75 Grand Parents Raising their Grand
Children in Pinellas County, Florida.
The "Gramps and Grands" program will focus on three
areas, in order to help enhance the lives of Grand Parents who are raising
their grandchild or grandchildren:
Seminars - Seminars
are designed to focus on the Grandparent’s mind, body, spirit, and
finances. Experts will facilitate the
workshops that cover living a stress free and healthy life after the age of 60,
how dialogue and keep and ongoing communication with your grandchild, finance
and budgeting, available medical care, and many other topics pertinent to a
Grandparent raising their grandchild.
Computer Classes – Technology is a way of life, especially for our
youth. Many Grand parents are not
computer savvy. Free computer training
will be provided to the Grandparents in the program for one month. This will help to enhance their computer
knowledge and skills, and help to keep them in touch with what their
grandchildren are viewing and learning.
Family Outing - Praying and playing together creates a family
that stays together. A monthly outing
will be arranged for all of the program participants. Oftentimes, our family entertainment is the
television, video games, and other limited non-interactive forms of
communication.
Other Ways You Can Help
Help to spread the word that Grandparents raising their grandchildren need your help! You can also suggest communities or cities that you are affiliated with that we can begin our next campaign in to help enhance the lives of Grandparents raising their grandchildren in.