Grandparents Programs

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren:

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Initiative was created in early 2002 in response to the large number of grandparents making calls to Sankofa for assistance with their grandchildren for family support services.  We were one out of 10 organizations statewide chosen to be funded by Generations United for this unique project.  Recognizing that within the village today, many children are being raised by their grandparents.  The central focus of this initiative is to provide factual information and support to help grandparents learn to understand and navigate the systems that works on behalf of their families.  Grandparents are the cradle of the coined “It Takes A Village to Raise a Child.”  Sankofa has put together an empowerment program that focuses on assisting grandparents to meet specific challenges and questions they have regarding the issues they face.  The services Sankofa offer to grandparents are: a 24 hour Helpline (1-877-838-9377), a community based office, home visits, development of support groups (schools, churches etc…), attendance at regular grandparent group meetings, support and assistance to those raising their grandchildren as well as kinship caregivers throughout the community.

 Download Flyer:  Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Grandparent Mentors:

One component of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Initiative is to train Grandparents Raising Grandchildren to become mentors.  Over time, 25 Grandparent Mentors are to become skilled in navigating through the various governmental systems.  Family Academy facilitates the training and the curriculum consists of helping them sharpen their interdependent skills and identifying their capabilities through group dynamics.  They will learn, how to pursue their purpose to meet their needs, and arrange their unique gifts in developing human potential, talents and resources.

Grandparents Appreciation Day

Grandparents Appreciation Day is an event we host annually in the month of August to take time out and honor those grandparents who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to keep their families together. Recipients are nominated by family members, loved ones, community leaders/organizations, churches, etc...