GRG of Brevard
January 2014 GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN OF BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA INC.
ISSUE # 151
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wishing you all a wonderful New Year from Mary Ann Sterling Our Christmas Party was a great success. It was held at the Kiwanis
thoughtful and I appreciated this gift from the bottom of my heart.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SECRET SANTAS
Party on Merritt Island. The food was
I would also like to thank all of
great and each and every child
you for your continuing support of
received a gift and a visit with Santa
our organization and hope that we
Claus. We want to express our
have fulfilled some of your needs
A special thanks to the Elk's Club,
appreciation to Santa Claus for
during 2013. Please let us know if
Kids Without Christmas, Ron Jon’s,
coming all this way to visit with us.
you
any
Ann and Megan Webber, Shannon
We know he enjoyed the warm
additional assistance or improve on
Causapin and Toys for Tots which
weather.
the services we offer.
enabled us to provide a wonderful
Special thanks to: Dorothy Dale, Dolores Collins, David Wright, Priscilla
would
Thank
you
like
for
to
add
being
great
grandparents!
Christmas for each child within our group. The gifts were outstanding.
Livingston, Yasmena Ayala, Robbi
If you have the time we ask that
Black, Oliver Holmes, Traci and Jeff
you please send a thank you note
Baird, Shirley Britt, Jonathan and Lou
to
Ann Hawes, Nelda Thomas, Karen
forwarded
Mills and to all the others who
organizations and individuals.
assisted attended
and our
also
like
to
the
above
Christmas
Brevard Sharing Center for providing the
would
to
A huge thank you to the Central
Party I
them
who
those
annual
the office so that we can
take
every one of you for my wonderful Christmas presents. You all were so
Thanksgiving
and
Christmas Dinners to 80 of our
this
opportunity to thank each and
wonderful
This is what our organization is all
members.
about. This touched my heart as I am sure it touches each and every one of us. [Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1]
Page 1
Issue 151
GRG of Brevard
SENIOR COUNSELING If you sometimes feel that your new or continuing job of parenting again causes you concerns and you just want to discuss issues with a professional please call our office for an appointment. Cliff Valentine, LMHC, has volunteered his time each Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Each session lasts an hour and is held at our office located at 123 Barton Blvd, Rockledge, FL. Please call (321) 631-7776 to schedule an appointment.
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.
PARENTING AGANI The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is conducting a seminar on PARENTING AGAIN on January 21st at 6-9pm. One of the issues will cover when to call for assistance with a disorderly child. What are your opinions? Helpful parenting skills will be directed at people like us, grandparents raising their grand children. This course provides awareness on the various ways to hold children accountable for their actions. This event will be held at: Calvary Chapel, 2955 Minton Road, West Melbourne. Please call if you are interested in attending. I talked with Sheriff Ivey and he wants our group to be in attendance.
T.A.R.G.E.T. TRAINING IS COMING For those new to GRG of Brevard TARGET is a six-week training course that covers the latest information from community and state experts on topics ranging from financial stability and legal assistance to parenting autistic children. Who can attend? Relative caregivers, community organizations and child advocates. Dates will be announced in the upcoming newsletters and support group meetings.
You're Stronger When We're Together We've officially kicked off our annual membership drive. Become a GRG of Brevard member today! As a member, you will be supporting the mission of GRG of Brevard and the services you've come to count on.
JANUARY 2014 ~ MEETINGS Thursday, January 9th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting Libscomb Street Community Center 10:00 – 11:30 am. (This meeting is always the second Tuesday of each month) Tuesday, January 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 (This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month) Thursday, January 16th – 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 Thursday of each month) Tuesday, January 21st – Central Brevard Support Group GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 10:00 – 12:00 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Thursday, January 30th – Beach Side Support Group Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the last Thursday of each month)
Page 2
Issue 151
GRG of Brevard
REMINDERS
CONGRATULATIONS!
When you are involved with the Department of Children and Families you have the right to be involved with each step taken to put your grandchild or grandchildren into your care. You also have the right to request that the case not be closed in six months. When you use legal services by Culmer and Davidson let the attorneys be the interface with the Department of Children and Families. When you are in court let your attorney speak for you unless you are asked to make a comment. At all times try very hard to keep your composure.
GRG of Brevard with the use of recent grant funding from Brevard Family Partnership and Brevard County CBO enabled these grandparents to give safe haven to their grandchildren.
ATTENTION MEMBERS
Other service changes are listed on the Administration's website to promote the use of Social Security's online service options.
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. If you have a great story or news about your grandchild please let us know; we would love to publish it in our newsletter. Older children are welcome to submit stories, photos or poetry. Please email grg.brevard@gmail.com
Traci and Chris Baird received custody of thier grandson, Dekkin.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO GRG OF BREVARD!
Paula Nohan received custody of granddaughter, Analeise.
SOCIAL SECURITY CHANGES Starting February 2014, the Social Security Administration will no longer offer Social Security number (SSN) printouts and benefit verification information through their field offices.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/thirdpart y/whatsnew.html People needing proof of their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits can get verification letters online instantly through a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount They also can get one mailed to them by calling our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778).
RENEW YOUR GRG MEMBERSHIP! Don't miss out! Join GRG of Brevard for important support and events focused on informing and improving the lives of relative care families in Brevard County Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County provides programs and services to meet the urgent and ongoing needs of grandparents and other relative caregivers raising children at risk.
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.
Help is just a Call Away: Office: 321.631.7776 Cell: 321.848.8006 123 Barton Blvd. Rockledge FL 32955 www.grg-brevard.org
“Our children need our presence, not our presents.” -- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Page 3
Issue 151 Raising Grandchildren Grandparents of Brevard County, FL, Inc. 123 Barton Blvd. 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
I am raising children who are not my own I am their: [ ] Grandparent [ ] Aunt / Uncle
Date:
[ ] Sister / Brother
Address:
[ ] 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.
City/State: Zip: 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
Page 4