Board Members
Sister Elizabeth Hill, sj
Chairperson
S. Sally Butler
Recording Secretary
Horace Williams
Robert Lewis
Schanica Pickens
Brad Borden
Claire Paola
Advisory Board
M. Blaise Backer
Kevin Costin
Seth Edwards
Michael Fisher
Barbara Zucker
Projects:
F amily Resource Center
Computer Literacy
Grandparent Caregivers
Infant Mortality Reduction Project
Entrepreneurship
Community Action
Auburn Independent Monitoring
Committee
Education Committee
Health Committee
Internships Opportunities:
Long Island University
Medgar Evers College
New York City College of Technology-Human Services
Hunter School of
Social Work
Arbor We Care
Executive Director
Georgianna Glose, OP, DSW
Deputy Director
Henrietta Koffi
Ebony James
Keisha Roderique
Dr. Glose
Grandparent Caregivers Group Tips & Advice
When it comes to facilitating a Grandparents Caregiver’s support groups, there are a variety of factors to take into consideration before beginning this process. These factors range from acknowledging and accepting that you will be interacting with individuals from different ethnic groups as well as individuals from multicultural backgrounds to a strong understanding of what barriers may occur if you do not properly educate yourself on important factors including age and family structure and function. Moving forward we will be discussing a few micro skills that set the tone for a successful session such as “The Two V’s + B”.
The first V we will be discussing is the Visual aspect. Whilst using this skill it is important to keep in mind that different cultures may hold different expectations. For example when interacting with the European North American middle-class culture you have to be mindful that these persons tend to maintain more eye contact while listening and less while talking. The exact opposite can be said when interacting with individuals from a Traditional African American culture. They tend to look more while speaking and slightly less when listening. When looking at Native American and Latin groups it is a complete difference. Eye contact by the young within this cultural towards and older person is a sign of disrespect. With this being said, one cannot make assumptions about someone’s eye contact or lack thereof when speaking. This can be a sign that something more is occurring within a person such as distress given the situation (at home) and/or discomfort to further elaborate within the group. As the facilitator it is important to make a mental note of this.
The second V to keep in mind is the Vocal qualities. When speaking within a group it is not only the facilitators job to remember to keep a steady tone as well as maintain an appropriate speech pattern but it is their job to pay attention to the tone and speech of the group members while they share their thoughts and feelings. Since your voice is an instrument that communicates the feelings you have pertaining to yourself and/or other people, changes in this at any given time can cause the same effect that changes with your body language or eye contact does. In addition to this, underlying the verbal aspect is the choice of volume and specific words that emphasize things that are of greater importance to a person. This tool can prove to be a useful concept when storytelling.
Moving into the final micro skill, we have Body Language. Body language is similar to the visual aspect of things in terms of what it is that you are paying attention to. For example, with Visual you pay close attention to eye contact as well as other things, with Body Language you do the same but more in depth. In Body Language we focus on not only eye contact but nonverbal ques such as fidgeting gestures, looking away (disinterest), clearing of the throat (unsure of what to say or lack of comprehension of what is being said), and moving closer (sign of interest), just to name a few. Using all three of these skills collectively is a great start to a successful group session.
Overall the tips that we recommend are as follows:
· When initially meeting with your Grandparent’s it is best to have an introductory session. This means you introduce yourself as well as going around your circle and letting everyone introduce themselves.
· Establish a trusting environment
· Speak about confidentiality
· State an agenda
· Ask if anyone has any questions or concerns about the plan for that particular day
· Inquire in on whether or not anyone has anything that they will like to share
· Be open to listening
· Begin your topic going clockwise
· Show interest
· Follow your planned agenda as closely as possible
· Make sure your grandparent’s feel that they have a part in running the group
· By the end of the session, keep a mental note of what was being discussed and remember to readdress briefly following session
In the past these tips as well as advice have proven to be useful within the groups that we facilitated. Thus far we have had a successful outcome. We hope that these tips work for you as well moving forward.
An essential element of working within the local schools is to develop a relationship with the Principal. In NYC, we have parent coordinators who are responsible for scheduling the workshops for outside groups. Working closely with the coordinators we have been successful in scheduling regular meetings and getting our events on the schools calendar. In addition, we have been able to get toy donations during the holiday season and invite our active grandparents to come to “shop” for a gift for their grandchildren. Among the topic that grandparents often request are discipline, homework, health and free things to do with their grandchildren.
Funded by grants and contracts with
New York City Department of Small Business Services through resources provided by City Councilwoman Letitia James, J.P Morgan Chase Foundation,
New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Health, New York Foundation, St. Joseph’s College, Zucker Foundation, Sisters of St. Dominic Ministry Fund,
and individual donors (in formation.).
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