More than 100,000 children in Arizona being raised by their grandparents or other relatives, according to the U.S. census. Duet: Partners In Health & Aging helps grandparents raising grandkids through Valley-wide support groups, workshops, family activities, respite care, and information and referrals. Recently, Thunderbirds Charities provided Duet with a $10,000 grant to support their one-of-a-kind Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program.
“The grant from Thunderbird Charities will make such a huge impact to grandfamilies [grandparents and the children they are raising] facing numerous challenges,” said Patricia Dominguez, MSW, director of kinship care services for Duet. “Many of the families are in distress. Emotions are high and they’re confused as to what’s happening. Duet is that life-line to making sense of their situation and providing hope.”
By supporting grandparents raising grandchildren, Duet provides families with the tools they need to navigate an often unexpected transition and helps to keep children out of foster care. The funds from the Thunderbirds Charities grant will support group family activities, respite care, and more. These social and cultural outings such as family picnics, visits to local attractions, and more, allow grandparents and grandchildren to know that they aren’t alone in their journeys.
“Duet is making a true difference in the lives of these special families, grandparents raising their grandchildren,” said Andy Markham, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “We’re happy to assist in their efforts to serve the grandfamilies in our community.”
To learn more about Duet’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program, visit www.duetaz.org/index.php/services/grandparents-raising-grandchildren.
About Duet: Partners In Health & Aging: Duet is a nonprofit, interfaith organization that promotes health and well-being through a broad range of services to homebound adults, family caregivers, faith communities and grandparents raising grandchildren. Duet’s free-of-charge services are available in the greater Phoenix area. To volunteer, donate or ask for help, go to www.duetaz.org or call (602) 274-5022.
ABOUT THE THUNDERBIRDS/THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES
Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds Charities Board consists of 15 board members from varying professional backgrounds. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. The organization’s giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com. For more information on Thunderbirds Charities, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.