Te Tautoko i nga Mätua Tupuna, me nga Mokopuna.
Te Ao mai rano, aianei, a muri ake nei.
Supporting,Grandparents and grandchildren.
Our past, present and future.
Welcome to our Website: We are a non-profit Charitable Trust, based in New Zealand, established to
support Grandparents who are raising Grandchildren.
Mission:
We provide support to Grandparents who are primary caregivers to grandchildren in difficult circumstances and to ensure fair treatment from the legal and child protection services in New Zealand, in order to stablise and normalise the life of the children involved.
|
|
Aims:
|
-
|
To provide support to grandparents who are primary caregivers
|
|
-
|
To provide opportunities for the grandchildren to meet others in the same situation
|
|
-
|
To raise awareness as to the role of the grandparents in the primary caregiving role
|
|
-
|
To undertake research to establish the depth of grandparents in the primary caregiver role in New Zealand and respond accordingly
|
|
-
|
To facilitate change in the legal and child custody systems
|
|
Diane Vivian in her GRG office |
|
Our History:
When in 1997, Diane Vivian took over the care of her small, traumatised grandchildren, she could not believe the stress she encountered.
Setting about to discover what help or support was available in 1999, she found there was none! She decided there must be many others in her position and put an ad in the paper. The phone did not stop ringing. A need had been identified. In consultation with Jill Nerheny, the Birkenhead /Northcote Community Co-ordinator, a support group was set up under the controller of the Community Facilities Trust. A public meeting was held and they knew they had a tiger by the tail. As the group grew they spent many months venting, weeping, sharing and building trust. The group set the objectives and a vision statement which now form the founding document and guiding principles of all the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Groups.
Today there are over 49 support groups throughout the country, reaching from Dargaville in the north to Invercargill in the South. Membership grows daily. Groups actively lobby parliament, network with other communities and speak to many community organizations.
They strive to make a difference for all grandchildren and grandparents who care about them.
The organisation salutes all Grandparents who have taken in Grandchildren and put the needs of those precious ones before their own. You are indeed doing angels' work here on earth. Together we have made a difference in a child's life.
|
|
A "GRAND" MOTHER
|
|
God's special gift to children
Who need a mother's love
Part Grandma and part angel
A treasure from above
Her heart is filled with anguish
Because of the children's loss
So now she shields their heartstrings
Protects them at all cost
God blesses all Grand-Mothers
Because He knows they care
And so they raise God's children
To live, to love, to share
So if you are "Grand"Mother
To grandchild, nephew or niece
The Lord will help and guide you
And give you an everlasting peace!
Louise Eagle © 2009
|
Permission granted October 2009 |
NewsletterJanuary 2010
Meet Kate:
Katie Bundle GRG Trust NZ Board member, see other Board members under Trustee's button.
Happy New Year to all our members, supporters, contributors, donators and friends.
From the Board of GRG Trust NZ
In the links menu button there is information on the Government funded respite care camps for grandchildren in April 2010. Applications close February 2010
In Work Tax Credits: Are you able to get this? Read more.
Teen Acne: The bane of a teens life. Read more.
Disability Allowance: Is your grandchild/kin child able to access this?
Allegation Team:
NZ Family & Foster Care Federation offer support to caregivers who have had an allegation made against them: Ph freephone 0800 456450
More News
Do you have trouble getting hold of your Social Worker? Calls not being returned?
If this is the case then you can call free phone 0508 CARER = 0508 227 377 they will then make sure you are spoken to by your Social Worker and if they are not available then someone else will talk to you.
|
|
