MISSISSIPPI– It often takes more than just Mom and Dad when it comes to child-rearing. The saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a child.”
But sometimes, for a multitude of different reasons, the mother and father may not be present and the grandparents have to take over the main parenting role.
“There’s a statistic, that some 30,000 grandparents are raising their grandkids,” said Robert Farris, Vice President of Palmer Home , and Vice President of Rescue of Child X.
Farris said that he hopes to see grandparents refer to Child X when they need help, as the organization aims to restore a child to the whole child they were meant to be.
“Rescue must be followed by restoration in a safe home where committed caregivers, through hope and commitment, tirelessly work to provide a life of love and opportunity where only darkness and brokenness were before,” reads the organization’s mission statement.
Families First is another organization that strives to help grandparents raise their children.
“In an effort to provide services to the entire family,Families First for Mississippi offers educational services for children, parents, and grandparents. A growing number of grandparents are raising their grandchildren in place of the biological parents,” said Frank Wynn, Fatherhood coordinator for Families First.
“The Kinship Parenting Support Program will provide community and educational services for families with an emphasis on parenting as a grandparent. Additional services offered by Families First includes: Parenting, Anger Management, Positive Youth Development, Job Readiness and Online High School Diploma.”
Families First Director Dr. Nancy New said the organization provides training for anyone who is charged with raising a family.
“Our main goal for Families First for Mississippi is to impact the entire family by offering direct services and connecting the dots between all of the Mississippi family programs,” said New.
Whomever raises a child, they are worth the investment said Donte Jones with Families First.
“Young people are the next generation, so let’s invest in them now to secure a brighter future.”
