Third National GrandRally – May 7, 2008
For Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children
www.grandrally.org

Entries Open for 5th Annual Voices Contest in Washington State

Voices of Children Raised by Grandparents and Other Relatives is a contest for children in Washington State who are being raised now or in the past by a relative other than their parents. The contest honors both the children and the more than 35,000 relatives in Washington State who are raising them. Entries can be poems, short essays, or pictures that describe how living with a relative (such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle) has made a positive difference in the child's life.

Entries will be judged in three age categories: 5-7 year olds, 8-12 year olds, and 13 - 19 year olds. The first 200 entries will receive special gifts. The top two entries in each age division will receive $100 each from Twin Star Credit Union and more. If you have questions, please call Family Education and Support Services at 1-877-813-2828 or e-mail Shelly Willis at ShellyWillis1@qwest.net. All entries must be submitted or postmarked by April 10, 2008.

Casey to Help Sow 'Seeds of Compassion' in Seattle

Casey Family Programs is a title sponsor of the first-ever Seeds of Compassion conference in Seattle, WA. His Holiness the Dalai Lama will deliver the keynote address for the “Compassion in Action” workshop and resource fair to be held 10:30am - 3:00pm, Sat., Apr. 12, 2008, at Qwest Field Event Center. The workshop will feature a full day of activities including a wide array of cultural expressions of compassion through music, art, dance, spoken words, and movement along with 120 resource booths offering the how to's of bringing compassion and positive energy to communities. Issues related to foster and kinship care will be featured during the five-day conference. Casey Family Programs’ president and CEO William C. Bell will be a guest speaker prior to the Dalai Lama’s presentation, and Bishop Desmond Tutu will speak later in the conference. In addition, the event will offer multiple showings of Casey's 2020 video that debuted at the Casey Annual Meeting in January.

To request tickets, e-maill caseyRSVP@casey.org and include the number of tickets you would like, along with your name, organization, address, and telephone.

Vermont Kin to Revisit Parenting

Vermont Kin As Parents will present the Fourth Annual Kinship Care Conference - Parenting Revisited: Promise, Potential, Permanence on April 24, 2008, at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont. The conference will include a Hands and Hearts one-day art project by participants. These Hands and Hearts will be displayed at the GrandRally in Washington, DC, on May 7. NCGCR contact, Lynn Granger, kinlmg@comcast.net, who is the Coordinator of Vermont Kin As Parents (VKAP), contributed this event posting. Please contact Lynn for details.

First Annual Candlelight Vigil – Sun., Sept. 9, 2007
34 Vigils in 23 States Light the Way for Grandparent and Kinship Caregivers

Report from the States
Compiled from NCGCR member e-mails by Pat Brown

Introduction
The idea was a collaborative effort that leapfrogged almost two generations. What Marian McQuade started by founding Grandparents Day in 1970, Brenda in Tennessee carried to the next level when she suggested that the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights add a candlelight vigil for grandparent and kinship caregivers to the day’s festivities in 2007.

Brenda’s idea caught on and spread like the proverbial wildfire. In less than three short weeks at the end of a long summer, state NCGCR chapters pulled themselves and their members together to organize their First Annual Candlelight Vigil for Grandparent and Kinship Caregivers with 34 local vigils in 23 states.

Following are the first person reports from vigil organizers in some of those states along with media coverage. The report opens with a series of brief e-mails from Lillian in Tennessee who writes to the group of her adventures when she finds herself not only organizing a vigil in her community, but also finds herself in a new role as a media spokesperson. Way to go, Lillian!

 

MT.PLEASANT, TENNESSE

Hey Everyone,
I just did the advertisement for my town’s Candlelight Vigil, with WKRM and WKOM in Columbia, Tenn.
If you can get these radio stations, please listen and give me some feed back ...
Blessings, Lillian

I was on the air at 7:20am Central. They taped it to play it on Saturday and Sunday also.
There are three other radio stations doing the same thing. It was one of the scariest things I have ever done. But it went great ...
Blessings, Lillian

Channel 5 announced our Murfreesboro vigil Friday morning. Murfreesboro is closer to Nashville than any of us so that will probably be the one they cover. I think it is great. I will be posting pictures also ...
Blessings, Lillian

Our Candlelight Vigil was a HUGE success. Even though it was raining all day, we still had 175 people to show. I use the word people because we had grandparents, foster parents, relative caregivers, grandchildren, and parents who were raised by someone other than their own parents.

CHILD (above) at Mt.Pleasant vigil

The Mt.Pleasant Middle School of Performing Arts Choir performed.

We had a table set up in the center of everyone to honor all the children who could not be with us anymore due to child abuse and neglect.

Mr. Brown who is the principal of Mt.Pleasant Elementary School graced us with a beautiful prayer. Pastor McNeese lit the solitary candle for the children. As the children's candle was being lit, the choir started singing “Light a Candle for Peace”. Everything just fell right in place .Everyone started lighting their candles from the person before them until we came full circle.

Almost everyone gave personal information so they could be contacted for next year’s event.

God blessed us tonight in every way. It had rained all day, and I mean really rained ... not just sprinkles. One hour before the vigil, it stopped raining and guess what? About 20 minutes after it was over, it started raining again.

No one wanted to leave. We were like one big family.

I can't wait to dig in next year. One of the guests took the pictures so I don't have a lot but we did get several really good ones I will post them tomorrow.

Lillian in Tennessee

 

TEXAS, NEW MEXICO, AND LOUISIANA
TX, NM, and LA's candlelight vigils had a few folks at them, but most lit candles in their homes. I am sure God heard their prayers.

It rained here in TX, and it did not stop. We had storms you wouldn't believe, but everyone was at least safe.

Tommie in Texas

 

IOWA
I held the candlelight vigil in front of my house. I had three large Christmas candles and a sign saying "Support Grandparents Rights" also had a live candle in our bedroom window that faces the street. Next year I will have a lot more time to prepare.

Sharon in Iowa

 

REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA

Cheryl's Candle

Fred's Candle

Our Baby Grandson's Candle

The Candlelight Vigil at Braswell's Assisted Living and Retirement Home turned our great. We got there early so I could set everything up. I put a flyer, the history of how Grandparent's Day got started beside each of the resident’s seat, as well as the candles. The Administrator had flowers for each table, put balloons up, and a great big Happy Grandparent's Day sign. There were 70 residents there and the staff.

We had the vigil at 11:30a.m. during lunch. I never saw so many surprised grandparents, who were not aware that it was Grandparent's Day. They seemed to be thrilled that they were remembered on Grandparent's Day. It was there day, and how happy they were.

The staff took the cake and showed each of the grandparents before it was cut, so they could see how pretty it was decorated. After they were all seated, I was given the microphone, and I made about a three minute speech. The grandparents took their fliers, the History of how Grandparent's Day got started, and their candles with them as the vigil ended. I was so happy that this day was made special for them. They all thanked me for remembering them. We took lots of pictures, and will send them to the list as soon as we get them developed.

Cheryl in California

 

TENNESSEE
Just wanted to let everyone know I had over 100 people at our Vigil. It was a great success !!!! We passed out fliers, put them on cars at Wal*Mart, went on a talk radio show, posted fliers in stores, and everything else we could think of.

Brenda in Tennessee

 

TENNESSEE
Sunday, 09/09/07
Rutherford County: Grandparents to hold candlelight vigil

The National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights, the Tennessee and the TennesseeGrands are hosting a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. on the east side of the Square. "We just came up with this last week," said Claytie Shipley, the organizer of the local event who said about 20 states are also participating. "There are a lot of grandparents out there who are raising their grandchildren and not all of them by choice," she said. "This is a good way to recognize them." The inaugural Grandparents' Day Candlelight Vigil not only recognizes the grandparents who take care of their grandchildren but all caregivers, Shipley said.

Mary Reeves
mreeves@dnj.com

 

Holding a vigil for grandparents
By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS
mragland@dnj.com
— Mealand Ragland-Hudgins, (615) 459-3868

The Rev. Todd Kirkland said he is a pastor because of his grandmother, Sally Metze. A South Carolina school teacher, the late Metze instilled the importance of education and faith, said Kirkland.

"My granny believed at a young age that God had called me. I can remember when Billy Graham came on TV, she'd yell for me to come home," he recalled. "I was the class clown in school. I'm 44 now and by this time next year, I'll have my Ph.D. She'd be proud of that."

Kirkland, pastor of La Vergne's Miracle Baptist Church, shared a few fond memories of his grandmother at a candlelight vigil for grandparents on the Public Square Sunday night. The event was held by the National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights, the Tennessee NCGCR chapter and the TennesseeGrands as a way of recognizing grandparents and others caring for children related to them. About 20 states held similar vigils across the nation.

Metze, Kirkland's maternal grandmother, died from complications of diabetes in 1997. He lived with her from ages 5 to 13. His older brother lived with their paternal grandmother, while their younger sister remained with their parents.

"No reason other than selfishness," he said. "My mom and dad lived in the biggest house on the block, drove Lincolns and Cadillacs. It just seemed like children didn't fit in the picture."

Claytie Shipley, a member of Kirkland's congregation, organized Sunday's event. At one time, she also cared for a grandchild.

"Hopefully, (the vigil) will grow next year and continue to grow from here," she said.

 

NEW YORK
NEW YORK NEWS CONNECTION
A statewide news service for New York
911 Central Ave. Westgate Plaza #109, Albany, NY 12206
Producer: Robert Knight Phone: 917-364-5474
E-mail: nync@publicnewsservice.org

September 7, 2007

Grandparents Day Marks "Hidden Resource" for Child Welfare System

New York - New Yorkers will celebrate this year's National Grandparents Day (Sunday, September 9th) with family gatherings and a new national "Candlelight Vigil for Visitation." Brigitte Castellano (cas-tel-LAHN-o) with the New York-based National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights (NCGCR) says grandparents are an overlooked asset in the country's child welfare system, providing care for over 6 million children nationwide.

Suggested Script: New Yorkers are celebrating "National Grandparents Day" Sunday (September 9th), with greeting cards, family dinners - and a new national candlelight vigil. Brigitte Castellano with the National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights says grandparents are a hidden resource for the nation's child welfare system...

Actuality Cut 41 followed by the 3 digit number in the Web Account ID above (:09) "There are 550,000 children in foster care - but over 6 million in the care of grandparents. So we are actually the de facto foster care system".

Suggested Tag: Grandparents are eligible for limited federal funding to care for their grandchildren through "Child Only Grants," based solely on the child's income level and residence in a grandparent-headed household. ***

Second Cut: But for some grandparents, Sunday's holiday is a bittersweet reminder of separation from their grandchildren. That's why the N-C-G-C-R is planning the nation's first annual candlelight "Vigil for Visitation" for estranged grandparents Sunday night...

Actuality Cut 42 followed by the 3 digit number in the Web Account ID above (:14) "It's a celebration, and it's about grandparents really lighting the way for the grandchildren. We also want to acknowledge so many grandparents who are denied visitation with their grandchildren. So now this child lost extended family members, and we want to say 'let's keep our focus on the children.'"

Suggested Tag: A candlelight vigil is planned for 8:30 Sunday night in Stony Brook, with similar events planned across the country. (ends)

Intro to Reporter Wrap: (Uses 2nd cut) Sunday is National Grandparents Day, and the first annual candlelight vigil for visitation" . Robert Knight reports.

Wrap is Cut 43 followed by the 3 digit number in the Web Account ID above. TRT(:30) Q... "...grandparents."

Editor's Note: Castellano is at 516-446-1539. For "Vigil for Visitation" details call NCGCR at 866-624-9900 or visit www.grandparentsforchildren.org.

Brigitte in New York

 

WASHINGTON
YIN Joins National Vigil for Grandparent and Kinship Caregivers

YAKAMA NATION – Remembering brought tears to the eyes of many and a shared determination to improve for tomorrow what cannot be changed from the past.

Yakama Indian Nation tribal leaders, tribal court judges, and tribal grandparents gathered outside the Tribal Court at 11 Wish Push Road on Sun., Sept. 9, to celebrate Grandparents’ Day and offer their support to children, families, and grandparent caregivers.

Following the program, vigil participants walked and drove the length of Wish Push Road to join with residents of the Foster Retirement Center for further prayers, candle lighting, a Circle of Closure, and refreshments.

TRIBAL COUNCIL CHAIR, Lavina Washines (above) spoke at the Sept. 9 vigil.

The Yakama Indian Nation (YIN) Candlelight Vigil was one of 34 events in 23 states celebrating the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights (NCGCR) First Annual Candlelight Vigil for Grandparent and Kinship caregivers. The YIN Vigil was the only tribal gathering among the 34 vigils. Tribal court judge and longtime family advocate, Ne’Sha Jackson, coordinated the event. Pat Brown, NCGCR vice president, represented the national organization.

Lavina Washines, chair of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, spoke at the beginning of the vigil. She stressed the importance of children and families to maintaining traditional culture. She encouraged parents and grandparents to value their children and support their positive growth. Others present at the vigil recounted stories from their own families and added prayers for their continued progress along good paths.

Vigil coordinator, Ne’Sha Jackson, expressed special thanks to Yakama Nation Tribal Council Member Athena Sanchey and the Yakama Nation Law and Order Committee; Reuben Sandoval, Chief Judge, Yakama Nation Tribal Court; David French, Yakama Nation Law and Order Administrator; and Anna M. Sampson, Yakama Nation Tribal Court Administrative Coordinator for their support of this event. “Without their help, we could never have organized the vigil so quickly,” Ms. Jackson said.

In addition, Ms. Jackson thanked Jesse Andy and Liz Mares from the Independent Shaker Church, the Yakama Nation Housing Authority, Foster Retirement Center, and Mrs. Georgia Garcia as well as supporters in the business community including Yakamart and Starbucks at the Valley Mall.

Ms. Jackson said a larger committee will be formed to plan next year’s Candlelight Vigil for Grandparent and Kinship Caregivers. Those interested in serving on the committee may call Ne’Sha Jackson at 848-2434 or Pat Brown at 248-6166. Those interested in learning more about the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights may visit the organization’s website at www.grandparentsforchildren.org.

Tribal Chair Lavina Washines with granddaughter and Independent Shaker Church leaders, Jesse Andy and Liz Mares

Celebration cake by Mrs. Georgia Garcia

Lavina Washines and granddaughter

Sisters Inez and Roberta Strong

Roberta Strong with granddaughter Davette

 

OKLAHOMA
I wanted to let ya'll know our little local paper ran a story about our organization and what we are about. About the new support group I get started next month, and about Grandparents’ Day and the vigil. I even put in that if they wanted to join us come on, and/or to light candles in their own homes. We had a nice patio set in front yard, with candles, varying sizes for different reasons(large for the day, smaller for the grandparents raising the children, and small tea lights for deaths of grandchildren in Oklahoma) A historian with Cherokees Indians, and another friend told stories about Oklahoma and their grandparents. It was set for an hour but we ran into 4 1/2 hours! Then I got pneumonia and have been sick since. Going back to bed.

Amy in Oklahoma

Celebrate Grandparent’s Day!

• Across the United States, more than 6 million children are being raised in households headed by grandparents and other relatives; 2.5 million children are in these households without any parent present.
   
• This year, celebrate Grandparent’s Day by calling your Senators and House Representative during the week of September 10 to 14 to let them know how they can help you care for your grandchildren.

Tell Your Senators and Representative to
Support GrandFamilies

CALL TOLL-FREE
1-888-226-0627*

During the week of September 10 to 14, call your Senators and Representative and urge them to co-sponsor the bipartisan Kinship Caregiver Support Act (S. 661/H.R. 2188). Tell them:

“I am one of many grandparents/relatives in my state who are raising children whose parents cannot care for them. September 9th was Grandparents Day. I urge Senator/Representative __________ to help celebrate grandparents and their children by co-sponsoring the bipartisan Kinship Caregiver Support Act [S. 661 in the Senate and H.R. 2188 in the House of Representatives]. Children need safe and stable families. Thank you.”

*You will be connected to the U.S. Capitol Switchboard. Then ask to be connected to your Senators’/ Representative’s office. Not sure who they are? Visit http://www.congress.org/congressorg/directory/congdir.tt or ask the Switchboard Operator for help.

For more information regarding the Grandparent’s Day Call-In please contact: Jaia Peterson Lent at jlent@gu.org or call (202) 289-3979.

Grandparents Rights Go Coast to Coast

NEW YORK CITY AND SAN DIEGO - For the second time in as many months, grandparents' rights will be the featured topic on Retirement Living TV's popular Daily Cafe. The segment featuring the National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights will air live at 3:15 pm, EDT, on Thurs., Sept. 6, 2007.

From RLTV's San Diego studio, vocalist and grandparent caregiver, Patti Page, who is NCGCR's national spokesperson, will join NCGCR executive director, Brigitte Castellano, and Angela Magliozzi, NCGCR's Maryland chapter leader, in Washington, DC, to talk about the organization's leadership role in grandparent and kinship care issues and to encourage caregivers and advocates to participate in NCGCR's upcoming.Candlelight Vigil. The national vigil in support of grandparent caretakers and grandparent visitation is planned for the evening of Grandparents' Day on Sept. 9.

Retirement Living TV is an independent television network that is available on Channel 364, Mon.-Fri., 9:00am - 5:00pm, Eastern Time. RLTV is also available to Comcast cable subscribers. Summaries of RLTV segments are posted on the network's website, www.rl.tv.

One International Voice for Children: Life Stories from a World of Relatives Weave Grandparent/Kinship Summit Together

Summit tours Bronx roof garden

BROOKLYN - The First International Summit for Grandparent and Kinship Caregivers brought global attention to the shared needs and issues of relative caregivers throughout the world. Summit participants gathered in Brooklyn, NY, May 6 – 8, 2007, to hear an international array of speakers and to form a new organization for future international action.

Dr. Kornhaber

From the opening tour of Presbyterian Senior Services’ GrandParent Family Apartments in The Bronx to the event’s closing plenary session, the Summit offered nonstop opportunities for networking, sharing solutions, and strengthening the growing international foundation of support for relative caregivers in the United States and around the globe.

Weaving the Summit together were the common threads in the life stories of such speakers as Betty Cornelius, who founded CanGrands in Canada; Chris Leave, who retired from a career in social work in Great Britain only to find herself faced with parenting again for her daughter’s children; and Linda Silvas, who told her first person story of the negative effects of substance abuse on Native American people in the United States. Dr. Arthur Kornhaber, an acknowledged expert on grandparent and kinship care issues, shared anecdotes and advice from his long history of practice while Judge Josefine Koblitz added the perspective of Family Court in Germany. Their stories and others echoed the common bonds of children’s needs for safety and stability balanced with the needs of adults to build and maintain strong family ties.

Patti Page

Entertainer and grandparent caregiver, Patti Page, took the stage at noon, May 9, to add her story to the mix. In a surprise announcement made later the same day, Miss Page accepted an invitation to become the spokesperson and an ex officio board member for the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights (NCGCR).

“To say that I am overwhelmed at the accomplishments of our first Summit would be an understatement,” said Brigitte Castellano, NCGCR executive director and Summit coordinators. “I am very pleased that so many grandparents were able to attend and that by working together we were able to raise our advocacy to the next level – an international voice for children in the care of grandparents and other relatives.”

Summit participants approved the formation of the International Alliance of Relative Caregivers of Children. The new organization’s goal is to bring the needs and issues of grandparent/kinship care families to the attention of world leaders and policymakers.

VIEWS FROM THE SUMMIT:
Summit participants visit new rooftop garden that tops GrandParent Apartments in The Bronx. Dr. Arthur Kornhaber addresses closing session of the Summit.
Singer and grandparent caregiver, Patti Page, accepts invitation to be NCGCR’s spokesperson. International Summit presenters gather for a group photo.
Together for the first time, Summit participants shared stories and solutions.

The First International Summit for Grandparent and Kinship Caregivers was sponsored by the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights, the AARP Foundation with generous support from the New York Life Foundation, Annie E. Casey Family Services, the Brookdale Foundation, Casey Family Programs, Dr. Anne Strozier, the Elias Foundation, the Florida Kinship Center – University of South Florida, GRAND Magazine, New York State Intergenerational Network, Presbyterian Senior Services, and Stony Brook University – School of Social Welfare.