Standing with Grandparents
Extended families, especially Grandparents (or Kokums and Mushoms), are the traditional first line of support for families in crisis. But amid inter-generational trauma, many grandparent-led families feel overwhelmed and fragile. More grandparents are stepping up every day in Saskatoon to care for their grandchildren struggling in foster or institutional care. But they can't be expected to do it alone.
Sons & Daughters mobilizes volunteer families from within Saskatoon churches to join together and stand alongside these grandparents in two ways:
by developing a peer support community through regular events celebrating and serving Grandparent-led families and their grandchildren.
by creating intentional, committed friendships for Grandparent-led families: journeying alongside them in relationship as they navigate the beautiful but bumpy life of a family.
“Before I met these guys (Sons & Daughters) I didn’t know there was people out there living like me. But now I’ve met so many people who are like me and going through what I go through. I’m not the only one.”
— a single grandmother with four of her grandchildren in her care
“Our people used to have a village. But it’s been broken down. You guys really are helping build a village again to help care for my grandkids. In these sharing circles I get wisdom from each one of you and I take that and it helps me to raise my kids.”
— a grandmother raising 3 of her grandchildren
