GRG of Brevard March 2014 Newsletter

GRG of Brevard

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

ISSUE # 153

T.A.R.G.E.T. IS HERE!

Training And Resources for Grandparents Entering Transition 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?

caregivers,

Relative

community

organizations and child advocates.

Training

is

on

Wednesday,

March 5th through April 9th at the GRG office 10 am-noon. Call to register 321-631-7776.

Help is just a Call Away: Office: 321.631.7776 Cell: 321.848.8006 123 Barton Blvd.

Rockledge FL 32955 www.grg-brevard.org

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

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Issue 153

GRG of Brevard

FROM A GRANDMOTHER’S HEART We need to share with you that our association with Mary Ann Sterling and the GRG of Brevard made a wonderful difference for us in our journey of raising our grandson, Ray. He is a fine young man of 18 now and a college freshman. We didn’t have a lot of contact with the group, but what we had made a significant difference. God puts many angels in our path and we count you, Mary Ann, and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren group of wonderful people, as angels.

Grace and blessing to all of you ~ Denise (grandmother)

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.

YOU NEED TO KNOW! SENIOR COUNSELING with Cliff Valentine 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.

COMPUTER CLASSES conducted by Bill Hobson If you would like to know more about what your grandchild is doing on the computer or if you would like to be more proficient on the computer please call 321-631-7776. Class schedule will be based on number of participants.

SATURDAY TUTORING by UCF Volunteers GRG of Brevard has teamed with a group of volunteers from UCF that have agreed to do free tutoring of our grandchildren, focusing on Math, Science, and Reading. If you are interested please contact the office 321-631-7776.

You're Stronger When We're!

MARCH 2014 ~ SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS Tuesday, March 11th – 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, March 13th – 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, March 18th – Central Brevard Support Group (note time change) GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 9:30 – 11:00 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Wednesday, March 19th – South Brevard Support Group Meeting (note DAY change) 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, March 27th – 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)

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Issue 153

GRG of Brevard

IF YOU ARE RAISING YOUR GRANDCHILD!

DO YOU WONDER IF

RENEW YOUR GRG MEMBERSHIP!

YOU ARE UP TO IT?

By raising your grandchild, you will give your grandchild a precious

Grandparents

raise

gift. Grandchildren lovingly raised

grandchildren for many reasons. If

by grandparents have a second

drug

chance to:

abandonment or prison time is why

be cared for by adults they already know stay connected to family stories and traditions find strength and identity in their family's culture.

  

You will discover gifts yourself.

Millions of grandparents are finding life

more

meaningful

joyful, while

interesting raising

and their

grandchildren. *****************************************

THINGS HAVE CHANGED A lot has changed since you raised your own children. Some things may have been less common years ago---if they existed at all:       

Computers The Internet Cell Phones Facebook Instagram Texting Tweeting But some things never change!

abuse,

child

abuse,

your adult child can't give proper care, you may feel you failed as a parent

yourself.

If

you

do,

counseling can help to put these feelings behind. Keep in mind that: Troubled children can have good parents---many factors are at work.  An adult child's choices and behavior are his or her responsibility--- not yours.  Parents who made mistakes in the past can learn from them now---and do a better job raising their children's children.

You've raised a child before--

you can do

it again!

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 GRG of Brevard provides programs and services to meet the urgent and ongoing needs of grandparents and other relative caregivers raising children at risk.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO GRG OF BREVARD!

Take a

refresher course on parenting, or check out books and DVDs on parenting at the library.

A HOME WITHOUT FIREARMS IS SAFER If you must keep a gun, keep it unloaded and locked up. (Each

Children today still need:

gun should also have its own trigger

 LOVE  UNDERSTANDING  GUIDANCE  SUPPORT  SHELTER  FOOD *****************************************

lock.) Lock up ammunition in a

Information taken from “A Grandparent's Handbook” published by Channing Bete Company www.channing-bete.com



separate place.

Also teach your grandchild to:  

Never touch a gun Leave the area if he or she sees a gun—and tell an adult right away.

Ask if guns are present in homes where your grandchild plays.

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.

You and your grandchild are lucky to have each other! You will share love, strength and wisdom with your grandchild---every day in your own way. Raising your grandchild won't be easy, but it will be well worth the effort.

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Issue 153 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

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