Summer 2020
Grandparents Raising PARENT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 20XX Grandchildren of Brevard
We Have Moved Online
As you are aware, we had to stop our face-to-face meetings due to COVID19 guidelines (support groups, parent survival training, and our TARGET Training series). Next date is June 1 at 11:00 am. We know how important the information is in these meetings so we are providing them online until we can meet again.
Two online platforms are being used – Zoom.com and Facebook. Zoom provides a virtual meeting room that you access by clicking on the link we send to your email address as the “invitation to the meeting”. You do not need to install anything or pay any fees, but you do need to provide us with your email address so we can invite you to each online meeting. Zoom meetings can only be viewed at the time of the meeting. If you are not available or are unable to access a computer (or smart phone) during the time of the Zoom meeting, you can find most sessions provided as a “re-run” on our Facebook page. The post on Facebook can be viewed anytime that is convenient to you by locating the session by scrolling through our posts. Facebook has become a very important social media place for all agencies so we ask that you please follow us on Facebook if you can. When the social distancing guidelines are lifted, we look forward to seeing you all again in person! However, we will still make good use of Zoom and Facebook for those who are unable to attend certain meetings or groups in person. If you have any questions, please give us a call. 321-631-7776 or 321-848-8006
Note from Mary Ann
Thank you so much for understanding our situation at this time. It is a difficult period for all of us. The GRG staff is monitoring closely real-time issues concerning the Coronavirus outbreak. We are committed to upholding mandated safety guidelines to minimize the risk to our Clients and the children they care for. Cancellations, information resources, and updates will be posted to our Facebook page. Please email with any concerns or questions: grg.brevard@gmail.com
Be sure you are keeping your journal up to date. We are reprinting copies and will have additional journals soon.
We are still returning calls and trying to assist in any way we can. Will let you know when we open back up. Legal assistance is being handled by phone only, but our attorneys are helping many through computer and phone. Please keep us informed on results.
Please attend our TARGET training program via ZOOM. Check your personal e-mail regularly for meeting invite. Check the Facebook page for times. I am passionate about supporting and advocating for kinship families and so grateful for the volunteers who work so hard to create the change we know is needed for relative care families. We hope you find the resources in the newsletter helpful.
Staying Informed
Right now, COVID-19, also called the novel coronavirus, is changing many things, for many people, all over the world. It can help to remember that while there are always going to be some things we cannot control, we can always control our own actions and responses. It’s down to finding the right balance – to stay informed but keep calm and ground yourself whenever you can.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at times. Crisis Centers provide 24/7 free, confidential emotional support - Dial 211 or visit www.crisiscenter.com Page 1
Need to Know! Support Group Meetings
Sometimes our children provide us with challenges that we're just not quite ready to handle. Sometimes support groups can help us find the answers we need, or at least make us feel okay about the unique challenges we're facing.
Friday, June 5th – North Brevard Facebook/ZOOM 9:30–11:00 am (This meeting is always the first Friday of each month) Thursday, June 11th – Club Esteem Facebook/ZOOM 10:00 – 11:30 am (This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month) Tuesday, June 16th – Central Brevard Facebook/ZOOM 9:30 -11 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Monday, June 15th – South Brevard Facebook/ZOOM 6:00–7:30pm (This meeting is always the third Monday of each month) Thursday, June 25th – Melbourne Beach Facebook/ZOOM 9:30–11:30 am (This meeting is always the last Thursday of each month) In an attempt to cut cost of mailing and publishing our newsletter it is now only QUARTERLY. If you are unable to attend support group meetings to receive timely information, please visit our website www.grg-brevard.org.
Shining Stars Needed
If your grandchild has received an award, was adopted or did something awesome please let us know so we can feature our shining stars in the newsletter.
Relatives Raising Children
by Marianne Takas “Toward a better future…. when you help a child to come to terms with a parent, you help to build a better future for that child. With better understanding of the parent’s problems, the child is freed from self-blame. Even if the parent never improves, the child is better protected from constantly being hurt. Also, as the child grows, he or she may be better able to learn from the parent’s mistakes, and to make better choices.”
Online Safety
• Talk to children about sharing personal information such as their names, addresses and phone numbers. • Talk to children about posting pictures that may be considered inappropriate online. • Tell children to not respond to anything that makes them feel uncomfortable in anyway, but rather to speak to you right away. • Tell children to not share their passwords, including with their closest friends. Kid Friendly Sites: http://www.seussville.com/ http://www.funbrain.com/
https://Kids.NationalGeographic.com
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/schoolsuccess/home-learning-resources.html https://www.allkidsnetwork.com/
Honor Roll Students
If you grandchildren received an A-B report card they will receive a $25.00 gift card to Walmart for that accomplishment. Limited to 2 gift cards per year/per child. You can e-mail copy of grades (grg.brevard@gmail.com) and we will meet you at the office to give you the gift card since we don’t like to mail them. Page 2
Summer Break is Here! Check out info for the kids & teens…
Summer Meals Kids and teens can still get free balanced meals this summer while schools are closed! Summer BreakSpot locations are a place for kids and teens to grab a free meal with no application necessary.
This year, there are thousands of meal sites - many are located at places like parks, libraries and churches and offer breakfasts, lunches, snacks or supper. Summer BreakSpot is available all summer long for kids and teens 18 and under.
There are three ways to find a site: Search the map https://summerbreakspot.fre shfromflorida.com/ Dial 2-1-1 Text FOODF A Sporting Chance is offering GRG members a special Softball/Baseball/Soccer camp called Let Them Play for boys and girls 6-10 yrs. 6 to 8 kids per session max. Everything is outside in the fresh air – kids must bring their own gloves. Contact Coach Don Ingram (321) 302-6522
Be Creative
Summer Camps
Isolation art school is dedicated to teaching people art skills at home. The videos range from quick tips to full art lessons from a range of artists. They even have videos on creating things like claymation characters, which can be made out of salt dough using ingredients in your pantry. https://www.instagram.com/p /B-ew7JdlQz_/
These are interesting times we’re facing. It would be an understatement to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered our current way of life. If you are interested in sending your Grandchildren to Summer Camp, please contact our office, 321-631-7776 as GRG will pay up to $150.00 per child. The registration is paid directly to the camp once you have completed the registration forms.
“Baking Club” on Instagram, step-by-step videos where you can learn to bake by following along as she makes recipes. https://www.instagram.com/tv /BKSs5ZpKMw/?utm_source=ig_e mbed&utm_campaign=loading
Experience of seeing pieces of fine art or important historical artifact with your own two eyes, you could easily spend a lifetime traveling the world in search of all of them. Now available online: The Louvre http://www.louvre.fr/en/visite s-en-ligne#tabs The National Gallery of Art https://www.nga.gov/
The Smithsonian Natural History https://naturalhistory.si.edu/vi sit/virtual-tour The Metropolitan Museum of Art https://www.metmuseum.org/ art/online-features
Listed below are some of the camps that are open.
Camp Victory Summer Explosion https://victorykidsports.org/sp acecoast-fl-2/ Brevard Zoo -ZOOM-A-ZOO VIRTUAL CAMP 2020! https://brevardzoo.org/educati on/virtual-zoo-camps/
Blue Lake Equestrian – 321-266-7122 email bluelakeequestrian@yahoo.com
Clayz Art Studio – 321-453-4848 website https://clayzarts.com/summer/ School of Surf Camp http://www.schoolofsurf.org/ Ohana Surf Camp ohanaoceanic@gmail.com
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All Smiles Here! Did you know supporting GRG of Brevard is as easy as shopping on Amazon? Sign up for Amazon Smile and a portion of your purchase benefits GRG of Brevard! First, visit AmazonSmile and select the option “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. from the list of charitable organizations Second, sign in to AmazonSmile from your desktop, tablet, laptop or mobile phone browser. Third, shop as you normally would and support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL Inc. in the process! Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase directly to GRG of Brevard!
HELP THE GRANDPARENTS AND CHILDREN OF GRG OF BREVARD BECOME A MEMBER AND/OR FRIEND Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County FL, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. All gifts are deductible on corporate, foundation and individual tax returns to the extent provided by state and federal laws. Members of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. receive our newsletter and invitations to events where they can meet others in similar situations Name
I am raising children who are not my own I am their: [ ] Grandparent [ ] Aunt / Uncle
Date:
______________________________________ Address: ___________________________________ ______________________________________ City/State: ___________________________________ Zip: ___________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________ Email: ______________________________________ [ ] Annual Membership $20 per family or $10 per caregiver [ ] Annual Corporate Membership $500 I want to be a friend of the GRG of Brevard and enclose an additional donation of: [ ] $25 [ ] $50 [ ] $75 [ ] $100 Other: $
[ ] Sister / Brother [ ] Other (please specify) [ ] I am not in this situation but I want to join GRG of Brevard because I am interested in what you do.
Please make your check payable to: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard