Philadelphia, April 25, 2011 — State Sen. Anthony H. Williams, Grands As Parents, and Turning Points for Children are hosting a daylong informational workshop for kinship caregivers, such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins or older siblings who are providing second-time parenting.

The Helping Hands Intergenerational Resource and Information Conference will take place on Saturday, May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McNeil STC building at the University of the Sciences, 42nd Street and Woodland Avenue in Philadelphia.

This free public event will offer a wealth of resources, including legal, financial, educational and behavioral health workshops, a legislative roundtable, a panel discussion and a resource and information pavilion. Lunch will be provided. As children are not invited to this adult event, expense stipends will be provided to caregivers who pre-register and attend the full event. Individuals must pre-register by May 2. Click here to view agenda.

“All families are unique and have their own triumphs and challenges. A growing number of family members, from grandparents, to aunts and uncles, cousins and more, are serving a greater role in the family — as parents,” Williams said. “This conference will serve as an important outlet for this increasing population of caregivers by providing helpful information and solutions to resolve their concerns.”

Nationwide, more than 7 million children live with grandparents, an increase of more than 30 percent within the last 20 years and the number is still rising.

Many families in this situation struggle with fixed incomes. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about one in five of grandparents who serve as primary caregivers lives in poverty.
Locally, Pennsylvania has the third largest elderly population in the nation and the aging population will continue to climb here.

“It is clear that without the influence of my grandparents, I would not be where I am today,” said Williams. “Whether it was my grandfather, who helped secure a scholarship for me to attend the school that changed my life, or my grandmother, whose acts on behalf of friends and strangers alike modeled political activism and public service, they were instrumental in molding me.

“There are scores of grandparents, as well as other relatives, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, who are doing more than their fair share,” he said. “We not only want to give them information to help make their lives easier, but also recognize these selfless, everyday heroes. Their efforts yield unheralded dividends.”

Pre-register by contacting Brenda Rich at 215-875-4955 or brich@turningpointsforchildren.org

For more information, visit www.senatoranthonyhwilliams.com

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