Prevention & Community Intervention Division
Elizabeth Z. Brown, M.S., Division Director
Grandparents
Raising Grandchildren Support Group
Contact: Martha Harrison, Manager
First Tuesday of the month
Fourth Wednesday of the month
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
Danielson Community Center
First Congregational Church
185 Broad Street
199 Valley Street
Danielson Willimantic
The
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
is an opportunity for
grandparents to meet others in the same situation. The group, facilitated
by a staff member, provides a peer environment and the opportunity to
share experiences and learn new parenting skills. The grandparents
have shared questions, concerns and information.
United Services started the Grandchildren Raising
Grandchildren program to provide support and to help grandparents who were
raising their grandchildren due to unfortunate circumstances. We saw the
need to assist the grandparents in dealing with the isolation, challenges
and frustrations of parenting at a later stage in their lives.
The groups currently meet for an hour and a half once
a month. In the Willimantic area one of the facilitators is bilingual. In
addition to providing much-needed social support, informational topics are
discussed in the groups. These have included: parenting issues, self
esteem, grief and loss, child development and legal issues.
While the grandparents are attending the group, the
grandchildren are engaged in activities with childcare providers.
Childcare is provided without charge and there is also a children’s
activity group. The children’s activities are geared to help the children
feel better about themselves and develop peer relationships that help to
normalize their situation. The childcare can also serve as a respite
for grandparents. Refreshments are provided for all.
Eligibility: Any grandparent raising a
grandchild.
Funding is provided in part by the SBM Charitable
Foundation and community contributions.
