The Grandparent Network
The Foundation For Grandparenting wants to expand our grandparent network and link up with as many like-minded colleagues and organizations as possible. In a global society, we can learn from and support one another, no matter where we live! Please let us know of any people or organizations who should be part of our network. Here is a listing from some national and international organizations. Resources come and go, so, from time to time, sure to search for "Grandparents" and "Grandparenting" on the web to keep up with the latest developments.
A site that helps grandparents and their families keep up with resources and the latest trends on the web is Agelight.com.
From
the New York Times: Grandmothers Rally to Save Aids Orphans.
Read the
article in the New York Times: 100
African grandmothers who flew to Toronto "for a four-day gathering
that ends Sunday with a march to the opening of the 16th International AIDS
Conference. The gathering, which brought the African women together with about
200 Canadian grandmothers (very few of them dealing with AIDS in their immediate
families), is believed to be the first large one dedicated to helping
grandmothers cope with the AIDS pandemic."
USA
Generations United-www.GU.org.
AARP Grandparent Information
Center www.AARP.Org.
Grandparents
Day
Grandtravel- Excellent suggestions for taking
trips with your grandchild.
Grandparent Times-
Grandloving-
Seniornet.com
Microsoft/seniors.com
Grandparents Together- "Creating A Hopeful Tomorrow"- e-mail kdb@igc.org. for information.
Hyperlinks For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Grandparents Parenting Again
Grandparents as Parents. Call 818-558-6265
ext. 3003. E-Mail, Lgordon1@ix.net.com
GrandsRuS
Off Our Rockers
AARP Information Center. Call
202-424-3410 www.aarp.org
Generations
United www.gu.org.
There are many groups helping grandparents raising grandchildren. Search the web for more.
For Grandparent Legislation
Call the National Coalition of Grandparents
at 608-238-8751
Call Grandparent's Rights Organization at 248-646-7191
For Intergenerational Issues
Generations
United
England
From Linda Drew, member of our advisory board at Goldsmiths University of London in England, comes news about the work of the Grandparents' Federation.
Support Service for Grandparents, from Noreen Tingle, National secretary of Grandparents' Federation 'Working in Partnership' is, for the professionals who have to administer the Children Act 1989, one of its central tenets. But what of the families whose children are the cause of such social - work involvement? How do they view, or understand, such a principle? For a significant minority, the short answer to the question is, they don't.The Grandparents' Federation was born in 1987 out of the anguish of some grandparents discovering - to their utter dismay - that there was rarely a legal route for them to seek contact with their young relatives in local authority 'care'. And lacking this legal route, a number of these children were adopted from care, despite there being members of their wider family who loved and wanted to look after them. Not surprisingly, relationships between such families s and the social services were not harmonious.
The Grandparents' Federation saw clearly that the way forward was to work with other like-minded organizations to change the law on contact with children. It was with joy and great relief that we saw Contact Orders enshrined in the Children Act 1989. It was with such successful efforts that the Grandparents' Federation has come to be known as a small, national, self-help group of older persons, undertaking pioneering work for vulnerable families for which there is increasing and urgent demand.
Regretfully, changing a law does not bring with it a change in attitudes - both with the professionals and with families. So it is by no means a surprise to us when we hear grandparents complaining that they don't understand social work jargon; they don't appreciate parameters within which social services have to work, And they don't know much about the Children Act. So such family members quite often get themselves into entrenched positions, and social workers sometimes respond unsympathetically. And none of this is in the children's best interests.
Funding from two charitable trusts is enabling the Grandparents' Federation to provide a professional, (usually a Guardian Ad Litem) supporter for some grandparents when conflict between them and the social services is apparent. Working in localities where they have a network of contacts, the professionals give of their expertise to hopefully 'turn round' unhelpful attitudes and so provide a better chance of both social workers and the grandparents working harmoniously together.
Our hope is to provide such support to sixty sets of grandparents over a two-year period. The project is being evaluated by Jo Tunnard, with collaboration from Professor June Thoburn from the University of East Anglia. The results will be published and disseminated and it is our hope that, if successful.principles which underlie the project will act as a beacon for others to follow.
Canada
Today's Grandparent Online
http://todaysgrandparent.com
Today's Grandparent Online (http://www.todaysgrandparent.com) helps active
grandparents build stronger relationships with grandchildren through expert
advice and articles from Today's Grandparent magazine. Today's Grandparent
Online celebrates grandparents' role in Canadian families and allows
grandparents to connect with each other in online forums to share information
and experiences.
Orphaned Grandparents Association.
Helps grandparents raising grandchildren and
grandparents deprived of visitation.
www.geocities.com/heartland/valley/2529/
Canadian Grandparents' Rights Association
President/Founder: Nancy Woolridge
260-3631 No. 2 Road, Richmond, British Columbia, V6X 2B9, Ph:(604)273-GRAN (4726),
Fax:(604)273-1823
Calgary branch president: Florence Knight
2416 Ulrich Rd. NW Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 4G5 e-mail kinght@telus.net
Phone:(403)284-3887
Ottawa branch president: Madeleine Bremner
1998 Anthony Ave., Ottawa, Ontario,K2B 6T9, Ph:(613)722-3310
Grandparents Requesting Access and Dignity (G.R.A.N.D.) Society & Chapters:
Toronto Nucleus/President/Founder: Joan Brooks
219 Browning Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4K 1X1,Ph:(416)469-5471
Ottawa chapter president: Lilliane George
1516 Boucier Drive, Orleans, Ontario, K1E 3J5, Ph/Fax:(613)837-8371
Manitoba chapter president: Eileen Britton
153 Roquette St., Winnepeg, Manitoba, R3K 1M6, Ph:(204)888-0482,
E-mail:britton@mb.sympatico.ca
and
Donna Ekerholm, Ph:(204)697-0423
Quebec chapter president: Mathilde Goldberg
12 Park Place, Apt. 1, Westmont, Quebec, H32 2K5, Ph:(514)846-0574, Fax:(514)846-0235
Hamilton chapter president: Sylvia Chappell
154 Balmoral St., N., Hamilton, Ontario, L8L 7R8, Ph:(905)544-2668
New Brunswick chapter:
1010 Dornridge Rd., Burtts Corner, New Brunswick, E6L 2V2, Ph/Fax:(506)363-5743
Helping Unite Grandparents and Grandchildren, (H.U.G.G.'s)
607 Pine Ridge Ave., Amherstburg, Ontario, N9V 3W3, Ph:(519)736-5116,
Fax:(519)736-0189
Oakville-Hamilton chapter:
19 BlueHeron Lane, Carlisle, Ontario, L0R 1H1, Ph:(905)690-4026, Fax:(905)690-4969
The Association To Reunite Grandparents & Families
President: Betty Cornelius
RR#1, McArthurs Mills, Ontario, K0L 2M0, Ph:(613)474-0035, E-mail:
grandma@northcom.net or ICQ #20937540
other chapters at:
Oshawa: (905)723-9954 or (905)435-0489, Uxbridge: (905)985-0066, Waterloo:
(519)746-2254, Oakville: (905)339-2465, Bancroft: (613)474-0035
Volunteer Grandparents Society of British Columbia
Executive Director: Hinda Simkin
1755 West Broadway, Suite 409, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6J 1Y1, Ph:(604)736-8271,
e-mail:vgps@direct.ca or hsimkin@zdnetmail.com
Australia
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN
A support group for grandparents who have taken on the primary care and responsibility of their grandchildren on a full-time basis.
The "Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Group" was established in 1999 by a group of grandparents with the support of the Anglicare Family Support Team and the Onkaparinga Council. These grandparent carers became aware of a range of difficulties unique to grandparents when they took on the full-time care of their grandchildren. They discovered the impact on their lives to be wide-ranging and found little support available to cope with the subsequent loss of traditional family roles and the loss of their lifestyle. Because of their experiences they initiated the establishment of the group to bring together and support other grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren on a full-time basis. The main objective of the group is to provide a friendly, informal and confidential venue where grandparents can support each other in this role.
The aims of the group are;
to provide a social outlet and support network to grandparents who find themselves in the role of ‘parents’ to help overcome social isolation,
to offer grandparents the opportunity to share their experiences with others in similar situations and to learn from each other,
to share information on services and supports available, including information on respite, financial assistance and parenting strategies for today’s society,
to join with similar groups to raise an awareness of the issue of grandparents carers of grandchildren within the community,
and to network with similar groups and organisations to be politically active in lobbying government departments for changes to address some of the issues grandparents as ‘parents’ face.
The meetings are structured to provide emotional support, an opportunity to raise issues of concern and to share information and ideas. Guest speakers will be invited periodically to address relevant issues. The group aims to organise occasional social get-togethers for grandparents and an provide the opportunity for the grandchildren meet during school holidays.
The group meets regularly in a central location within the Southern suburbs. Childcare is available at the meetings, however creche bookings are essential. A gold coin donation would be appreciated at the meetings and also for the creche facilities if required.
So why not come along and share a cuppa and a chat! For information about the meeting times and venue, please contact us on the telephone number below. A message will be taken and a member of the group will return your call.
83059200
INDIA
The Association of Grandparents of Indian Immigrants.
For information write or call. AGII 2619 Bradwell Court, Baltimore, MD. 21234.
Phone 410-661-8659
Slovakia
Marian Kosc, a psychologist at Trnava University in Slovakia is interested in grandparenting. Her email is mkosc@truni.sk
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