Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

There are millions of grandchildren being raised by their grandparents across the country, due to a variety of circumstances. In Enfield, the number is well over 100 and has been increasing steadily. In many cases, grandparents are raising their grandchildren due to family trauma such as domestic violence, sbstance abuse, or negelct, which means that children are coming to their grandparents with many challenges. It also presents a challenge to grandparents, who are suddenly finding themselves in a parenting role again. For the past eight years, the Enfield Family Resource Center and the Commission on Aging have offered a monthly support group to grandparents raising their grandchildren . The group provides a safe and supportive environment for grandparents to receive resources and a break from their busy lives with others who are in a similar situation. Dinner and child care is provided to make it easy to attend, and the children who attend are able to spend time with other children who are being raised by their grandchildren. The group is led by a trained facilitator, and speakers on different topics affecting grandparents are brought in to provide resources. The groups are held once a month on Monday nights at Enfield Street School, 1318 Enfield Street, Enfield at 6:00 pm. New members are always welcomed. If you or someone you know could benefit from this group, please contact Amy at 860-253-5144 or amorales@enfield.org.