They meet on a weekly basis to share their experiences and support with one another. Guest speakers frequently lecture on budgeting, nutrition and other pertinent issues. Today, more than 3.9 million children live in households headed by a grandparent. The statistics have been on a sharp incline for the past five years. Although the circumstances are varied, in many cases the custodial parent is addicted, incarcerated, homeless or incapable of raising his or her own children.
Membership has a wide age range.
The youngest is 44 and the oldest is 82. Some participants have raised multiple generations. A variety of unique stressors affect those who are faced with reentering the world of care taking. In some cases, there may be an age gap of as many as 70 or more years. Coping with today's societal changes can be a challenge for someone who was raising children five decades ago.