GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN
Grandparents and other relatives raising a child when the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to do so is Kinship Care. This family form is growing and receiving considerable attention of policy makers, social service providers and researchers. In Michigan over 200,000 children are raised in Kinship Care. They are from all walks of life and all cultural and economic groups. Kinship caregivers range from 30-90 years of age. Most have cared for the children 5 years or longer and are raising 1-2 children. The average income is between $15,000 and $25,000. The majority of kinship caregivers are single women. What most have in common, is that they are raising children that most likely, they did not expect to be raising.
Bridging Generations a support group for Kinship Caregivers that meets every 3rd Wednesday at Detroit Area Agency on Aging (DAAA) at 10:00 A.M. The people in this support group are putting all aside so they may do what is best for the children. In this support group Kinship Caregiver will find the support they need to understand their situation, to hear their needs and find hope. A special fellowship is formed because of shared experiences and the participants find strength in the group.
Since 2001, the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Committee (GRGC), which is a network of over a dozen local agencies, have met bi-monthly at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging to discuss important issues affecting kinship care. This collaborative comes together to support each other, share information and resources that will help the kinship caregivers all under the direction of the chairperson, Juanita Bridgewater, President of Bridging Communities. Under the sponsorship of the DAAA, the GRGC also collaborates on activities to provide respite, entertainment and social outings for grandparents with and without the grandchildren. Some of the events are:
- Holiday Adoption – Adopted six families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The families received baskets of food and other household goods.
Mother’s Day Tribute – An intimate gathering for six grandmothers at Seldom Blues hosted by President and CEO of DAAA, Paul Bridgewater and Mrs. Bridgewater. The grandmothers were selected by agencies that serve grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
- Back to School Picnic – 200 grandparents and grandchildren were treated to hot dogs and school supplies at the “Back to School Picnic” held at Belle Isle in August 2009.
- Annual Celebration –325 grandparents and their grandchildren attended the Eighth Annual Salute to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, held September 19, 2009 at the Cobo Conference & Exhibition Center, Riverside Ballroom. The 9th Annual Salute will be held on September 18 in Cobo’s Ambassador Ballroom.
- “Just for You” Ball – The first “Just for You” Ball especially for kinship caregivers only was held on May 7 at Masonic Temple. Over 100 kinship caregivers who are grandparents and other relatives raising children in their homes were invited to an elegant evening of music, dancing and an elaborate strolling dinner as a Mother’s Day gift.
Second Annual Michigan Kinship Care Conference and Grandfamily Reunion – The conference was planned by and designed for professional and kinship caregivers. It was informative and inspirational and brought together medical, legal, social service and educational professionals who addressed issues and challenges relevant to kinship caregivers. Two hundred and fifty kinship caregivers and professionals attended a variety of workshops offered during the two-day conference held September 17-18, 2009 at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI. The Third Annual Michigan Kinship Care Conference and Grandfamily Reunion will be held on September 8 and 9 at Greater Grace again. For details click here.
For more information call the DAAA at (313) 446-4444 ask for Veronica Padmos at extension 5828.
Grandparent Raising Grandchildren Committee
Adult Well-Being Services
Bridging Generations
Child Care Coordinating Council of Detroit/Wayne County
Detroit Area Agency on Aging
Detroit Public Schools
Detroit Senior Citizen Department
Neighborhood Services Organization
Wayne State University Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute
Women’s Informal Network