Tulsa Non-Profits Giving a Voice to Grandchildren
Tulsa Area Agency on Aging and the Hutcherson Branch YMCA have partnered to present “A Voice for our Grandchildren.” This program is a six-part series of workshops, designed to empower grandparents to become advocates for their grandchildren.
Oklahoma currently has the third highest percentage in the nation of grandparents raising grandchildren. One of the factors that may be attributed to this problem is the high percentage of incarceration of women in Oklahoma.
According to statistics provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the state ranks first in the nation with the highest number of female prisoners and fourth in the nation with the highest number of male prisoners, per capita.
These workshops are designed to enhance the knowledge of grandparents in their transition from their role as grandparent to parent. The physical, emotional and psychological well being of the grandparent will be addressed. The legal aspects of the guardianship and awareness of the resources in the community will be explored also.
The social and economic needs of the children will be addressed. Free childcare and lunch will be provided. The goal of the program is to empower grandparents with the tools needed to act as advocates for their grandchildren and act as a resource to policymakers and community leaders.
Grandparents raising grandchildren (any age), community advocates and professionals who want to find out more about this pressing issue are encouraged to attend.
The sessions begin on Saturday, Jan. 26 and will be held weekly at 1120 E. Pine in Tulsa from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The sessions are:
Jan. 26: Session I-Grandparent in Parenting Roles
Feb. 2: Session II-Working Through Feelings
Feb. 9: Session III- Parenting
Feb. 16: Session IV-Resources
Feb. 23: Session V-Legal Issues and Guardianship
March 1: Session VI-Advocacy
To register, contact Allecia Ratliff or Sandie Sullivan at (918) 596-7688.
Updated 02-11-2008
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