How to Start Your Own Support Group
Group Definition:
Mutual support groups whose members are paternal or maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members who have assumed responsibility for raising an immediate family member in a situation where the child's birth parents are unwilling or unable to provide for their care. Groups may also be structured for people who have other kinship issues, e.g., grandparents or other relatives who have been denied access to a grandchild or other youngster due to a death or divorce in the child's family. The groups provide an opportunity for participants to share information, practical tips for daily living and encouragement about issues related to what may be an unexpected parenting role taken on later in life. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.
Suggested Start-Up Guidelines:
If no local group exists, you can start a support group.
- Gather information about other support groups; attend a meeting if possible
to watch, ask questions, and borrow ideas.
- Determine the best time of day to hold your first meeting; evening may
be better if grandparents are working during the day.
- Find a convenient and safe meeting place for a one to two hour meeting,
such as someone´s home, a church or synagogue, library, community
center, hospital, social service agency, YMCA/YWCA, bank, or fraternal organization.
- Find other grandparents who are raising their grandchildren; ask school
officials or agencies working with older adults, families or children to
refer grandparents raising children to you.
- Promote the meeting through posters, flyers, press releases, ads, announcements
or letters-to-the-editor in newspapers, church and synagogue bulletins,
local TV, and radio.
- Consider finding volunteers to care for the grandchildren, coordinate activities for teens, or have a support group for them during your meeting.
What Should Happen at Our First Meeting?
Keep the first meeting simple and start small; two or three people in the beginning is fine.
- Allow one to two hours for your first meeting, then let the group decide
the time, length and place of future meetings.
- Introduce yourself and share your story; invite others to share their
stories, but do not force anyone to talk before they feel comfortable. All
information discussed should be kept confidential within the group.
- Collect contact information from all who attend.
- Ask for volunteers to help plan and run future meetings. Assign specific
roles.
- Provide refreshments.
What Else Should Be Discussed?
Support groups need to consider these issues:
- Choose a name and decide the purpose of your support group.
- Decide what kinds of activities and speakers you would like to have.
Topics could include legal, financial, health, insurance, school, childcare,
emotional, substance abuse, stress, and discipline issues for both grandchildren
and grandparents.
- Determine who is eligible to attend and whether transportation assistance
is needed.
- Plan your meeting schedule -- at least monthly is recommended.
- Decide how you´ll handle any group expenses. How will refreshments
be provided? Will dues be necessary?
- Create a plan for child care or teen activities.
- Plan for a phone network. Exchanging phone numbers or setting up a phone
tree for emergencies or for personal support can be very helpful.
- Remember to celebrate the triumphs and the rewards of raising grandchildren,
as well as to discuss the challenges.
CANGRANDS National Kinship Support
R.R. 1, McArthurs Mills, Ontario K0L 2M0
Tel: 613-474-0035
E-mail: grandma@cangrands.com
courriel: demandez@cangrands.com