Honoring, Supporting, and Empowering Alaska's Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Are you a grandparent raising a
grandchild? Do you know a grandparent raising a grandchild? If so, you
are not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau there are over 5,000
grandparents in Alaska
raising more than 8,500 grandchildren without either biological parent
present. Grandparents find themselves in the role of primary caregiver
for their grandchildren, but many are without adequate financial resources,
energy or support systems. Throughout Alaska there are opportunities to meet and
connect with other grandparents raising grandchildren. Grandparents can
share their stories, joys, struggles, successes, ideas, and support one another
through both the easy and the hard times.
There is a monthly support group
meeting for grandparents raising their grandchildren in Anchorage which meets the last Tuesday of
each month from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the main Volunteers of America (VOA) office
- located at 1675 C. Street.
Free childcare is provided for all age groups. Also, various local Anchorage churches
sponsor a “Grands Brunch” each month on a Saturday. Families can enjoy each
other company over a complementary meal at this once a month event. Grandchildren
can play and do craft activities that are provided. If you are interested in
attending the Grands Brunch contact Christina at 522-9866 for date, location,
and time.
The MatSu
Valley has one support group meeting
held at the Wasilla
Early Learning
Center - located at 2100 E. Foundry Way,
Wasilla. Grandparents raising grandchildren from around the MatSu Valley
meet the third Tuesday of the month from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Childcare is
provided only if you call ahead: 373-7795.
Communities wanting to establish a
support group meeting for grandparents raising grandchildren may contact
Christina at 1-888-522-9866 for resources to aid in the process.
Support can also be accessed by
calling the toll free warm-line at 1-888-522-9866. If the call cannot be
answered immediately, messages may be left and calls will be returned as soon
as possible - Monday through Friday - unless otherwise indicated on the
message.
An eight-page monthly newsletter is
available to grandfamilies with tips, articles and state-wide/local information
pertaining to the unique aspects of parenting a second family.
Respite Care is available for
grandparents who are 55 years and older raising grandchildren full-time within Alaska. These
funds are limited and are available on a first come, first serve basis.
The purpose of these funds is to give grandparents a short break from the
rigors of caring for their grandchildren. Respite care funds have been
used for camp scholarships, sports classes or team fees and to pay licensed
childcare providers as well as other classes and activities that provide
grandparents with a break. If you are interested in receiving a respite
scholarship, please contact Christina at 1-888-522-9866 statewide or 522-9866
in Anchorage.
Grandchildren ages 7-11 whose parents
struggle (or have struggled) with substance abuse are also invited to attend
Volunteers of America's summer prevention camp, Camp Hope.
This special camp offers hope and practical life skills for young children with
parents that have alcoholism and/or an addiction by providing the children the
opportunity to make sense of what has happened as well as offering traditional
camp activities. Contact Pat Cochran for more information at 279-9646.
A lending library is available with information
relevant to grandparents, kinship caregivers, grandparents raising
grandchildren, grandchildren, and professionals who work with these
"grand" families. The selection of books, tapes, and CDs cover topics
like substance abuse, attachment disorders, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder,
parenting, fun activities, fictional children's/youth stories, etc.
Through a partnership between Retired
Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Scholastic Books Inc., free books are
available for the grandchildren. Every time a grandparent comes to a
support group meeting or brunch, grandchildren can select a book to take
home. Through the RSVP's Project Warm-Up, there are also free knitted hats,
mittens, and scarves for grandparents raising grandchildren who are unable to
afford warm winter gear for the children. These resources are available
statewide.
Training and technical assistance is
available to any individual or organization interested in facilitating support
for grandparents raising grandchildren.
For additional information on any of
the programs or events listed, call the toll-free warmline at 1-888-522-9866 or
in Anchorage at
(907) 522-9866.
Christina Lowther
Grandfamilies Network Project
1675 C Street, Ste. 201
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Tel: (888) 522-9866
Fax: (907) 276-5489