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official game board. The details and recommended activities are on the game board. Keep reading and recording your activities, and keep winning. The program is supported by all those business sponsors, and funded by the Friends of the Library with additional funding from the Missouri State Library. Adults have their own Summer Reading Program, too, and opportunities to win prizes. Read or listen to your favorite titles May 19 through August 4, enter weekly drawings for a special gift, and join us for unique adult programs at the Library. Participation in the reading program is free and registration forms and reading logs are avail-
able at all the library branches and Mobile Library. There will be weekly drawings for a specially designed summer reading program bookplate to be placed in a book of your favorite genre. Everyone will be entered into a final drawing after August 4, and the winner at each branch and the Mobile Library will receive a $50 gift certificate to the Between Friends Gift Shops and online store. Check out all the programs for all ages with a Bookends catalog at any branch, or go to thelibrary.org/programs/programs.cfm. Kathleen O’Dell is community relations director of the Springfield-Greene County Library District. She can be reached at kathleeno@thelibrary.org.
Performers & Vendors needed for Juneteenth Springfield, MO— According to www.juneteenth.com, “From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas a month marked with celebrations. In cities across the country, people of all races, nationalities and religions join hands to acknowledge a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. In honor of Juneteenth in Springfield, Missouri, come join us: Where: Silver Springs Park
When: June 16, 2012 from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM As always, we need community support to help make our Juneteenth celebration a hit! Please contact Francine Pratt info@naacpspringifeldmo.org or 417.873.6386 if you would like to perform or have a booth (food vendors are welcome).
May 2012 Volume 22/ Number 5 • A Monthly Publication by Unite. of Southwest Missouri, Inc •
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Building Empowering Connections In Our Diverse Community
When Grandparents Become Parents Again by Pam Stoelzel, MS, LPC, NCC, Director-Senior Connections
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Celebrate ArtsFiesta & Cino De Maya Fiesta! See page 7
NAACP Springfield Chapter Is Awarded Project HELP Grant Health and Wellness strategy targeting African Americans See page 5
It's estimated that approximately 7% of the Nation's children are now being raised by their grandparents. The circumstances that caused the grandparents to step in and take over the raising of these children are usually sudden and most always tragic. While parenting in itself is a difficult job, it is made more difficult for these grandparents who face major life changes. Many times these individuals have either retired or are nearing retirement and these retirement plans that may have included traveling and pursuing hobbies now must be delayed as the care of children takes precedence. Grandparents now must also provide financially for these children as well as modify their home to make it suitable for children. It may have been years since these adults raised their own children and in the years between many things have changed. For example,
...retirement plans that may have included traveling and pursuing hobbies now must be delayed as the care of children takes precedence. today's kids are technology savvy. They use computers not just for fun and games, but for school assignments and communications. Custodial grandparents will have to become comfortable with the use of technology to keep up with these children and ensure their safety. Grandparents will also
have to adjust to communicating via e-mail and possibly even text messaging. While traditional grandparents generally spend their time in very positive interactions with their grandchildren, custodial grandparents must now discipline their grandchildren, set boundaries, and enforce limits. All of these actions, while necessary, do change the relationship from one that is positive to one that is sometimes strained and conflicted. If you find yourself in this type of situation, there are resources to help. The Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) has a Grandcare Resource Center which can be located at: www. giclocalsupport.org/pages/gic - db - home. Older adults can access many free resources including computer literacy courses, positive parenting and disciplining courses, and information on legal and financial assistance. Computer literacy courses are offered through the Greene County Library and can be found by calling 417Continued On Page 7
See 2012 NAACP Springfield Chapter Award Recipients The NAACP Springfield Chapter held its Annual Freedom Fund Ball on April 14, 2012. See photos of the Award Recipients and Key Note Speaker inside on page 11