Dolorez Cobb-Jones noticed an unlikely demographics of caregivers for students: grandparents. Spurred by interactions she had with grandparents as an educator, she knew that grandparents had a lot of love, but they also needed help navigating parenting for the second time.
“They listened, and they just signed off [on requirements for students],” Cobb-Jones said, reflecting on grandparents who were informed, but overwhelmed and tired. In August 2011, Cobb-Jones started Grandparents Involved from the Start (GIFTS Inc.) with the mission to “provide support, resources, information, and in some cases, financial assistance to grandparents who are sole caregivers of school-aged children between the ages of 5 and 18 years old.” The organiza
One flagship service for GIFTS is its support system for grandparents to talk in community with other grandparents. This level of support in helping grandparents and their students.
The full list of GIFTS services:
– Bi-monthly Zoom session entitled (TGIF) The Grandparents Information Forum
– Design grandparent support groups in schools
– Provide information to the GIFTS Facebook page
– Provide public recognition to the grandmothers/grandfathers of this community
– Established the GIFTS Relief Fund
– Referral forms to identify grandparents that are eligible for our services
– Partner with other organizations at community events
– Refer grandparents to other agencies
Cobb-Jones says that grandparents may become the sole parents to their grandchildren through a number of reasons, namely: abandonment, drugs and mental illness, and death. Regardless, Cobb-Jones wants grandparents to know: “We see you and we appreciate what you do.”
“My mom raised my niece because my sister was going through some things,” Cobb-Jones reflects, noting that in past generations families typically handled family business without the interference of the legal system. “Now, in order for the grandparents to get any type of services – if they want to be responsible to get any type of service – you have to go through different steps to get access.”
One resources is Kin Connector, but there are many more. For more information, please visit: www.giftsgivelife.com
Upcoming GIFTS events:
– September 19, 2024 @ 7:00 PM, TGIF session Topic Financial Health
Speaker Lisa Lickers Ricks – October 19, 2024 from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Boys to Men, A Salute to Grandfathers Fashion Show,
IW Abel Hall in Steelton, PA, Tickets are $30 and will on Eventbrite beginning August 1, 2024
– November (entire month) – Annual Thanksgiving Gift Card giveaway, gift card donations for grandfamilies in need will be accepted.
The vision of GIFTS, Inc. our overall vision is clear: We want grandparents to become involved, inspired, and informed with the daily demands that come with raising their grandchildren.
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