OCTOBER 2012
ISSUE #137
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL 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
Fundraiser at Chick-fil-a 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 October 2012 Tuesday, October 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 Thursday, October 11th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting 10:00 – 11:30 am. Grant Street Community Center (see notice below) Tuesday, October 16th – Central Brevard Support Group GRG of Brevard Office, NEW OFFICE– 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 09:30 – 11:00 am Thursday, October 25th – 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 if you are interested in restarting the Palm Bay evening meeting the fall 321-631-7776 ***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.
Have a Safe & Happy Halloween! GRG OF BREVARD
123 Barton Blvd. Rockledge, FL 32955 321.631.7776 office • 321.848.8006 cell www.grg-brevard.org
OCTOBER 2012
THE CHILD FIRST PROGRAM
Halloween Happenings Saturday, Oct 27th Frightfully Good Time: Downtown Melbourne. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., trick or treating for preschoolers through grade six, with parents. Wear costume; bring a bag. Crossing guards on duty. 40-plus businesses participate. (321) 8698 or (321) 724-2201. Harvest Festival: 1-5 p.m., Central Park, The Avenue Viera. 1-4 p.m.: Face painting, Halloween photos, crafts. 2:30-3 p.m.: Spooky Story Time. 3-3:30 p.m.: Littlest Pumpkin Costume Contest, ages 1-6. 3:30-4 p.m., Family Costume Contest, minimum of three individuals, includesLIKE pets. 4-5 p.m.: Trick or Treating. WE WOULD TO THANK Wednesday, Oct 31st THE FOLLOWING Pumpkin Spooktacular: 6-8 p.m., Kiwanis Island Park, ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR 951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island. Ages 12 CONTRIBUTION TO and younger. Free. Brevard County Parks and Recreation. (321) 455-1380. GRG OF BREVARD!
ISSUE #137
“Big voices for little voices”
On September 13th the White House honored grandparents' many contributions to society and called on older adults to continue to share their knowledge, wisdom and talents. The White House event kicked off with a written proclamation by President Obama. Speakers discussed the importance of intergenerational service opportunities to solve our nation's problems; the ways grandparents contribute as caregivers, mentors and civic leaders; and ways the Administration can strengthen intergenerational collaboration. Mary Ann Sterling and Lou Ann Hawes attended the event; they were the only relative caregivers from the State of Florida in attendance. Mary Ann Sterling, Executive Director of GRG of Brevard with Donna Butts, Executive Director of Generations United at the White House Pictured below is the discussion panel of National Leaders on Service & Education
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.
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OCTOBER 2012
ISSUE #137
SAVE THE DATE
Parenting in Today's World FREE Parenting Workshop! Saturday, October 6, 2012 8:00AM 12:00 PM Brevard County School Board, Viera http://middleschoolprograms.brevar dschools.org/parents/Lists/Announce ments/Attachments/139/Parenting%2 0Poster%207x11.pdf or contact Ginny Gleason, (321) 633-1000, ext. 389 or email: Gleason.Ginny@brevardschools.org
OLD FOOD ASSISTANCE CARDS TO BE DEACTIVATED IN SEPTEMBER The Department of Children and Families wants to remind clients who receive food assistance, Temporary Cash Assistance, Refugee Assistance, and Food Assistance Employment and Training payments that their old Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards with the flag design will be deactivated on September 21, 2012. Changing the cards allows for increased security and durability. Any client who still has the old card needs to call 1-888-356-3281 to receive a new ACCESS card, which has a lighthouse design.
7th Annual Walk for Love In recognition of National Adoption Month and to raise awareness of the many children in Brevard County available for adoption, Brevard Family Partnership will host the 7th Annual Walk for Love and NEW this year, the inaugural Run for Love 5K, on Saturday, November 17th at the Church at Viera. We invite you to join us for a day of love and fun for the whole family! The Run for Love starts at 7:30AM (registration fees apply). Every registered runner will receive a race t-shirt and goodie bag. Be sure to register early to avoid missing out! For more information: http://www.brevardfp.org/
CHILD PROTECTION SUMMIT 2012 On September 5th, Mary Sterling and Lou Ann Hawes joined 2300 attendees at the annual statewide child protection summit in Orlando to improve their skills in the protection of children and strengthening families and communities. The 2012 theme was “Realizing Change.” This was an opportunity for GRG of Brevard to participate on a state and community level with caseworkers, investigators, attorneys, judges and magistrates. David Wilkins, the State of Florida Secretary of DCF was a keynote speaker. We will disseminate the information from the three days of workshops and discussion panels throughout the coming months in support group meetings.
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
Mary Ann chats with attendees at summit.
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING WITH GRG OF BREVARD? CONTACT MARY ANN STERLING AT 321-631-7776 OR EMAIL: GRG.BREVARD@GMAIL.COM
COMING SOON Planning is underway for the annual GRG of Brevard Children’s Christmas Celebration please call the office if you would like to volunteer. 321-631-7776 or email grg.brevard@gmail.com. More information will be available at the fall support group meetings. Reminder you will need to attend at least 2 support group meetings within 2012 to be eligible to apply for holiday assistance.
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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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