AUGUST 2012
ISSUE #135
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard A NEWSLETTER FOR GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER RELATIVES IN A PARENTING ROLE.
WELCOME to the new edition of our newsletter! I hope that you find it to be informative, educational and entertaining. Mary Ann Sterling, Executive Director
BACK TO SCHOOL!
DON’T KNOW WHERE TO GO? CALL THE WARM-LINE! 321.631.7776 Get answers to questions on custody, guardianship, adoption issues, public benefits, legal services, support with groups and other community services. When you call, be prepared to leave a message and contact number.
E-NEWSLETTER Help us Go Green and be environmentally responsible. The newsletter can be delivered to you each month via email. This new capability could enable GRG to save up to $4,000 each year in paper and printing costs. If you would like to receive your newsletter via Email, send your name, current mailing address and the email address where you would like to receive the newsletter to grg.brevard@gmail.com
Support Group Meetings for August 2012 Thursday, August 9th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting 10:00 – 11:30 am. Grant Street Community Center (see notice below) Tuesday, August 14th – Titusville Support Group Meeting 805 Century Medical Dr, Building B, Titusville. This group is partnered with Parrish Senior Solutions. 10:00 – 11:30 am Tuesday, August 21st – Central Brevard Support Group GRG of Brevard Office, NEW OFFICE– 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 09:30 – 11:00 am Thursday, August 30th – Beach Side Support Group. Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) A Representative from Express LCL who will provide information on how Express LCL can assistance us in obtaining guardianship and adoption. South Brevard Support Group Meeting This support group is suspended at this time until further interest. Please contact the office for more info. ***Club Esteem Meeting Location Change*** Due to the fire at Lipscomb Street Recreation Center, the GRG group that meets at Club Esteem will now hold their meetings at Grant Street Community Center (the gym), Grant Street in Melbourne. The date and time of the meetings did not change. The meetings are the 2nd Thursday at 10:00 A.M. This will be our temporary location until the damage has been repaired to the Lipscomb Street Recreation Center.
QUARTERLY MEETING GRG BOARD OF DIRECTORS & GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING YOU ARE INVITED!
This meeting will be held on August 3, 2012, at 10:00 AM at the Rockledge City Hall, 1600 Huntington Lane, Rockledge, FL (located at the corner of Barton Blvd. and Huntington Lane not far from our office). The Board of Directors will be present and all members are invited to attend.
GRG OF BREVARD
123 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, FL 32955 321.631.7776 office • 321.848.8006 cell www.grg-brevard.org
AUGUST 2012
THE CHILD FIRST PROGRAM
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO GRG OF BREVARD!
ISSUE #135
"GRAND SLAM BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT" The Brevard County Manatees and Brevard County Florida KidCare Coalition are hosting their second annual Grand Slam Back to School Event at Space Coast Stadium on Sunday, August 7th as the Manatees take on the Lakeland Flying Tigers for a doubleheader starting at 4:05 p.m. All students will receive one free ticket courtesy of the Brevard County Manatees. The first 1,000 adults accompanying a student will receive a free ticket, courtesy of Amerigroup Community Care. The event will start when gates open at 3 p.m. Children attending the Back to School event can play catch on the field prior to the game, run the bases, and compete for autographed baseballs and other prizes during on field contests with Manny the Manatee. The Early Learning Coalition will also hold VPK registration. With over 14,000 uninsured children in Brevard County, the Back to School event will provide parents with the opportunity to enroll their children in Florida KidCare health insurance. Any family can apply, and most pay $20 or less per month to insure their children. Many pay nothing at all. In addition to Florida KidCare, more than 10 community organizations will be providing health care related information and giving away goodie bags. For information on the Grand Slam Back to School event contact Stephanie Webber at (321) 633-9200 x 2017 or visit ManateesBaseball.com.
And A Special Thanks To: Memaw’s Restaurants, Parrish Senior Center and Club Esteem who provide meeting space for our monthly support meetings. Our community partners who work by side with us to create a better world for children and families. Thanks too to our faithful volunteers and donors across the county.
A new lunch application must be completed every school year, unless you are otherwise notified that your student has been approved for free lunch as a Direct Certified student. Students that attended a Brevard County School and participated in the free or reduced lunch program may eat on last year’s free or reduced status for the first 30 days of the school year or until a new lunch application is approved. For faster service, apply ONLINE at www.brevardschools.org
“The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson.” ~Tom Bodett PAGE 2
AUGUST 2012
ISSUE #135
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES
This is a great time of year for our grandchildren. For grandparents it can be a sad time or a welcome relief for a little time to us. If you need assistance with backpacks and school supplies our organization will be able to provide some of these essentials. Please contact the office with ages/grades of the children (321631-7776) and make an appointment to come in.
This Month’s Shining Stars: Deloris Collins of Melbourne plays with her grandchildren, Trevor, 7, Trenesha, 8, and Tavarious, 4. Collins, who has been taking care of her grandchildren for the past seven years, is one of an estimated 2.7 million grandparents in the United States raising a grandchild. CRAIG RUBADOUX/FLORIDA TODAY! TELL US ABOUT YOUR GRANDCHILDREN If your grandchild has had a special event or done something you would like to share please write an article. Send a picture along with the article as grandchildren like seeing themselves in print. Email: grg.brevard@gmail.com
HELPING HAND RESOURCES We have infant/toddler supplies available. These items were made possible by our grant from the Brevard County CBO. All supplies are new. Please take advantage of these wonderful items. Call the office for more information 321.631.7776.
Wednesday, August 8th Monday, August 13th Wednesday, August 15th
Back to School for grades 1 and up Kindergarten begins VPK begins
NEW MEMBERS We would like to take this opportunity to thank our existing members for their membership fees. We are receiving calls from approximately 10 new members each month. We welcome each grandparent for becoming involved with our cause to provide assistance, advocacy, resource information, and children’s activities. We are asking each of our members to please remember to renew you membership annually. You will receive one of our new T-Shirts and a membership card. These funds assist our organization in maintaining our status of providing services to grandparents raising grandchildren.
Children’s Summer Picnic The picnic was a success again this year, thanks for all the volunteers who helped make this event possible and fun for the children! Thanks Capt. Mark & 1st Mate Michelle!
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING WITH GRG OF BREVARD? CONTACT MARY ANN STERLING AT 321-631-7776 OR EMAIL: GRG.BREVARD@GMAIL.COM VOLUNTEER TRAINING COURSE WILL BE HELD IN AUGUST - AFTER THE CHILDREN RETURN TO SCHOOL
REMINDER – WHEN REQUESTING DCF FUNDING If you are due to recertify for state funding you will receive a letter from the Department of Children and Families. You can return this letter with the necessary information. You do not have to go on line to accomplish the recertification. If you want to apply for funding you can make an appointment with our office at 321-631-7776 for assistance or go on line at www.ddcf.state.fl.us/ess/ to the ACCESS Program and apply on your own. Before you start the process make sure you have important information AVAILABLE: social security numbers for each house whole member, name of both of your grandchildren’s parents with address and birth date if available, if you are requesting food stamps have name and address of mortgage company and amount of loan and value of home, make and model of car and who it is financed with and amount owed and value, name and address of school where you grandchild is attending. These facts will make the process much faster. If you need assistance please bring this information with you.
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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
I am raising children who are not my own I am their:
Name
[ ] Grandparent Date:
[ ] Aunt / Uncle
Address:
[ ] Sister / Brother City/State:
[ ] Other (please specify)
Zip:
[ ] I am not in this situation but I want to join GRG of Brevard because I am interested in what you do.
Phone: Email: [ ] Annual Membership $20
[ ] 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: $
Please make your check payable to: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. 123 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, FL 32955
ADDRESS LABEL
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