Grandparent Caregivers Invited to a Free Forum

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren often live below the federal poverty level; in some southern states, the proportion of grandparent caregivers living in poverty has reached 30%.  According to the AARP, grandmothers as a social group are disproportionately affected and bear the brunt of care-giving in these families.  They often sacrifice jobs, education and health care in order to care for their grandchildren.  These grandparent caregivers face a host of social, economic and legal issues, particularly surrounding custody, medical consent and limited pro bono and legal aid.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey.  The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency, family stability, and to improve their lives and the lives of their children.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,000 families, including over 30,000 children. 

The Grandparent Caregiver forum, which will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency’s campus at 127 Mill Street in Newton, is free and open to the public, but registration is required.  To register, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.