According to “Family Services of Marion and Harrison Counties,” as many as 30 percent of children in Harrison County are raised by at least one grandparent. That’s why one non-profit started a support group called “Healthy Grandfamilies,” a free resource for grandparents raising grandchildren.
The group began its eight week course on Tuesday, but with openings for five more families still available, and seven weeks left of meetings, it’s not too late to get involved.
“We always start off with just telling them how much we appreciate them and what they’re doing because it is really changing that child or childrens lives,” project social worker Riley Freeland said. “They’re learning to advocate for themselves, but also that there is a whole community out there that wants to help them, too.”
Healthy Grandfamilies meets on Tuesday nights for the next seven weeks at Simpson Creek Baptist Church from 6:00 to 8:00, with a free dinner provided at 5:30.
If you’d like more information on how to take advantage of this free resource, Freeland invites you to call her at 304-326-7785.
The group goes over many topics such as how to parent in the 21st century, nutrition tips, available health care resources and education.
On Friday, March 22, the group will be holding a “Grandparents & Kinship Caregiver Resource Fair” at the Village Square Conference Center in Clarksburg. Multiple agencies and organizations that provide resources and services to those raising young children will gather there to provide support and information.
