December 2014 color

GRG of Brevard

December 2014 GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN OF BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA INC.

ISSUE # 162

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS HERE! Happy Holidays from Mary Ann Sterling We are so thankful that as an organization that we can share with one another our concerns and love. My wish is that each and everyone one of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. As part of this organization each of you have given me so much that I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being a part of my family.

LET’S CELEBRATE! This year the Children’s Holiday Celebration will be held at the Kiwanis Island, Merritt Island on December 13th. from 12-4 pm.

We have games, and pictures with Santa planned. Santa will be providing the children with a small gift – you will NOT need to bring a wrapped gift. This will make it fair for all children attending.

We will be enjoying refreshments and a holiday meal. GRG will provide the meat and drinks please bring a covered dish to share.

If you are interested in volunteering with setup or clean-up please contact us at grg.brevard@gmail.com or the office 321631-7776.

It will be an afternoon filled with joy, generosity and fun for all. Contact the office with the number of family members attending so we will be sure to have plenty to eat! Please plan to attend!

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU! Thanks Brevard County CBO for providing our families with Holiday Support. To all of our volunteers for taking time to assist with the toy and meal distribution and helping with the Christmas party. We would also like to thank Toys 4 Tots, Kids Without Christmas, Ron Jon’s and the Elks Club for “adopting” GRG and providing gifts for the children.

Thanks to Brevard County Sharing Center for the donation of turkeys for holiday meals.

We were also fortunate this year to win the “Bank on My Dream” contest sponsored by the Florida Banker’s Association; this money provided additional support for the our families for Christmas. 2014 has been a very blessed year for GRG of Brevard.

[Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1]

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Issue 162

GRG of Brevard

E-NEWSLETTER Are you interested in receiving an online version of our newsletter rather than a printed version?

Please send an email to grg.brevard@gmail.com and include your name, email address and mailing address to insure we update your record accordingly! Thank you for helping us save on printing costs so that more of each dollar can benefit children and families.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! More than 6 million children in the United States are being raised by relatives—especially grandparents. In many of these homes, the parents are not present and may be only minimally involved in the child’s life—if at all.

When parents choose not to care for their own children, or become unable to provide safe, loving care due to drug addiction, abuse, death, imprisonment, mental disorders or other situations, family members often step in to care for the child and prevent them from living in the foster care system.

Jealousy, resentment, financial hardships, health concerns, poor relations with the child’s parents and other issues can make adopting or raising a relative’s child a challenging experience.

These tips can help: 1. Acknowledge and help your grandchildren find ways of appropriately expressing their feelings.

2. Help them feel safe by letting them know they have a right to their feelings, without being critical.

3. Keep the child out of negative family interactions.

4. Have the whole family stress their commitment to care for the child.

5. Stay alert to potential behavior problems.

6. Communicate any concerns openly with your Case Manager.

Why come to Support Groups?

Support Groups are a fantastic way for caregivers to get integrated into the community. Our staff designs these groups to empower you so can succeed and grow in new ways. We are confident that you will find our groups fun, enriching, and worthwhile. You're Stronger When We're Together! Come and get support for parenting the second time around!

DECEMBER 2014 ~ SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS Tuesday, December 9th – Titusville Support Group Meeting 805 Century Medical Dr, Building B, Titusville. This group is partnered with Parrish Senior Solutions. 10:00 – 11:30 am (This meeting is always the second Tuesday of each month) Thursday, December 11th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting Club Esteem 3316 Monroe Street, Melbourne 10:00 – 11:30 am.

(This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month) Tuesday, December 16th – Central Brevard Support Group GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd, Rockledge 9:30 -11:00 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Wednesday,December 17th – South Brevard Support Group Meeting Memaw’s Restaurant, 4916 Babcock Blvd, Palm Bay 6:00 – 7:30 pm (Dinner is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the third Wednesday of each month) Thursday, December18th – Beach Side Support Group Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) PLEASE NOTE: Date change due to Christmas this meeting is usually held the last Thursday of the month.

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Issue 162

CAREGIVER CHECK-UP

As a caregiver, you have to be realistic about what can and can’t be controlled. The first step is taking ownership of your caregiver role and admitting that it might be a long-term commitment.

This acknowledgement allows you to plan and seek help. The National Family Caregivers Association has reported that this simple shift in attitude can have a profound impact on your situation. By accepting and putting a name on it, you will be less inclined to set yourself up for stress and emotions that prevent you from seeking help.

A lot of people throw themselves into a “caregiving frenzy” that quickly leads to emotional and physical burnout. Set your pace for a long race and accept the reality that you will need help along the way.

Think of caregiving as a marathon, not a sprint.

Marathoners get through a race by pacing themselves and getting sustenance and water along the way.

Be Realistic. Think Positive. Your Attitude can be the biggest barrier to taking care of yourself and doing the best job in caring for the new addition to your home. Your mind will believe what you tell it. Tell it that you’re a kinship caregiver, that you need to stay healthy, that you have rights and that you will do the best you can but you’ll have to find help for certain things.

GRG of Brevard

Being realistic and thinking positive are easier if you:

• Take ownership of your  role as a caregiver. “I am a caregiver. It’s a tough job, but I can do it.”

• Pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Seek help along the way.

• Admit your feelings, whether they are sorrow, anger, resentment or fear. Get help if you can’t control them.

• Admit when you need help.

Seek help and ask for specific things.

• Listen to your body and respond. When it needs food, exercise, rest or medical attention, make sure to give it what it needs.

• Organize your resources to allow time for your personal life. Keep living.

• Communicate with other caregivers. They’ll understand what you’re going through and offer comfort and help.

• Stick to the present. Do what you have to do today.

Tomorrow will be here soon

Amongst all the festivities, one of the most popular traditions on New Year’s Day is to make a resolution. A resolution is a promise that we make for ourselves that is supposed to make us better by helping us accomplish something. Over the course of the following year, we try our very best to stick to our resolution.

Are you planning on making a resolution for yourself this year?

For example, if you are a child, then maybe you will strive to get straight A’s in school. If you are caregiver, then maybe you will strive to find an activity that helps you to relax and frees you from stress.

We here at GRG of Brevard have our own resolution for the New Year. We will strive to provide the best possible environment and services for you and your family to grow and be strengthened. We are grateful for all the families we work with, and it is our pleasure to serve you. We wish you all a very Happy New Year!

enough! *Taken from ‘Caregiver Reality Check,’ American Heart Association, Inc. Feb 21, 2012.

NEW YEAR TRADITION January is one of the most exciting months out of the year. At midnight on January 1st, we celebrate the turning of the New Year. Many of us go to parties and spend time with friends and family.

Or celebrate by watching the countdown of the ball dropping in New York. Fireworks shoot off throughout the city streets.

ATTENTION MEMBERS This is a special request to all grandparents raising their grandchildren. Please try to attend our support group meetings. We have speakers with very helpful information and hope that you will consider coming to these events.

If we have assisted you in anyway, please come and share how we have helped you and tell us how this assistance has provided much needed information to help you in the rearing of your grandchildren.

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Issue 162 Raising Grandchildren Grandparents of Brevard County, FL, Inc. 123 Barton Blvd., Suite 102 Rockledge, FL 32955

GRG of Brevard NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID MELBOURNE FL PERMIT NO. 495

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 Date: Address:

I am raising children who are not my own I am their: [ ] Grandparent [ ] Aunt / Uncle [ ] Sister / Brother [ ] Other (please specify)

City/State: Zip: Phone:

[ ] I am not in this situation but I want to join GRG of Brevard because I am interested in what you do.

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: $

Please make your check payable to: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard

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