In Erie County, there are 2,983 grandparents living with their grandchildren and 1,657 serve as legal guardians. There is a need in the community to help grandparents address the issues they are faced with while raising their grandchildren and to connect them with other grandparents raising grandchildren.
Mercy Center on Aging, a senior center on East Grandview Boulevard sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, offers a Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Mercy Center on Aging's GRG program offers monthly support groups with a trained counselor, offered on the second and fourth Mondays of each month from 9:30 - 10:30 am.
(Editor's Note: The following information is taken from the agency's Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program Brochure. To download a PDF of the brochure, please click here.)
What is the Mercy Center on Aging?
The Mercy Center on Aging, Inc. is a social service agency dedicated to making L.I.F.E. easier for all older adults.
Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West community, the Mercy Center on Aging, Inc. has two equal programs.
The senior center, operating at: 444 East Grandview Boulevard Erie, PA 16504 is partially funded through Title IIIb of the Older Americans Act and is a subcontract agency through the Greater Erie Community Action Committee (GECAC).
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren is the second program of the agency.
Is There a Need?
2.6 million children are being raised in three- generation households headed by a grandparent, with at least one parent in the home. The reasons vary from situation to situation but drug use, unemployment, incarceration, and service in the Armed Forces are a few.
The Erie County census data for 2005-2007, which was published in 2008, tells us that 2,983 grandparents have their grandchildren with 1,657 who serve as legal guardians. 865 households have one or both parents present while 792 do not.
Who is Available to Help?
Karen Narusewicz has had many years as an administrator, counselor and social services provider. She can be reached at (814) 824-2214 or (814) 384-1035. The e-mail address is narusdesign@aol.com.
It is hoped that many of our Center services will prove helpful as we grow into this new area of concern. Health, exercise, peer support and opportunities for recreation are only a few of the services we already provide to “make L.I.F.E. easier.”
Ideas That Might Help!
Enhance computer skills with a beginner’s course or ideas on how to monitor and/or curb grandchild’s activity.
Heighten awareness of contemporary drug use among today’s youth.
New ideas on how and when to have “that” talk with maturing young people.
Establishing realistic guidelines for behavior or practical enforcement
Concerned school and homework monitoring
Conflict resolution, listening skills and communication pointers.
If there is an indicated need in any of the above areas, we can provide the necessary resources to provide information or appropriate contacts.
What Can GRG Offer You?
A Health Clinic staffed by a registered nurse who allows you all the time you need for questions or information.
Trained professionals who provide many levels of exercise from chair to full aerobics.
Trained counselors who are willing to listen and advise according to individual situations.
Opportunities for you to refresh and renew your spirit in classes, travel or recreational activities.
Occasions where you can share triumphs or problems with others in the same situation.
What Can You do to Help GRG?
Complete an easy survey which will assist us in better understanding your experience.
Allow us to interview you regarding your circumstances.
Give us particular areas of interest or concern so that we can provide speakers.
Tell others about our services and/or give us information about others who are raising their grandchildren.
For more information on the Grandparents Raising Grandparents Program, please visit www.grgprogram.com
