$500,000 Three–Year Grant to Support Outreach to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 9, 2004 — The AARP Foundation today announced a $500,000 grant from the New York Life Foundation to support the AARP Grandparent Information Center's (GIC) outreach efforts to minority grandparents raising grandchildren. The funds will enhance educational programs, resource and referral services, materials development, volunteer activities, and other programs for families.
"Recent research from our publication 'Lean on Me: Support and Minority Outreach to Grandparents Raising Grandchildren,' suggests that minority grandparents have inadequate access to services that can help them cope with the challenges of raising grandchildren," said Amy Goyer, coordinator of the AARP GIC. "Our program aims to provide them with the support they need to raise healthy, happy grandchildren. We are very grateful to the New York Life Foundation for helping us to achieve this important objective."
"The New York Life Foundation is proud to partner with the AARP Grandparent Information Center to provide additional resources for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren," said Sy Sternberg, chairman and chief executive officer of New York Life and chairman of the New York Life Foundation. "This project furthers the Foundation's Nurturing the Children mission and helps strengthen minority families across the nation."
The areas served by this grant include urban and rural locations throughout California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, and Texas, along with the Navajo Nation in Arizona/New Mexico.
The 2000 U.S. Census found that 2.4 million grandparents are responsible for most of the basic needs of grandchildren who live with them, and more than 50 percent of these children are minorities. It also found that 19 percent of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren are living in poverty.
About The AARP GIC
The AARP Grandparent Information Center (GIC) provides information and referral for grandparents in their varying role, with special emphasis on support for grandparents raising grandchildren. The AARP GIC provides a free quarterly newsletter, "The GIC Voice" for grandparents raising grandchildren, as well as print publications. The AARP GIC Web site www.aarp.org/grandparents provides information, including a database of state and local support groups and agencies. Grandparents can also obtain information and referral by calling the toll–free number 1–888–OUR AARP.
About The AARP Foundation
The AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity. Foundation programs provide security, protection and empowerment for older persons in need. Low–income older workers receive the job training and placement they need to re–join the workforce. Free tax preparation is provided for low– and moderate–income individuals, with special attention to those 60 and older. The Foundation's litigation staff protects the legal rights of older Americans in critical health, long–term care, consumer and employment situations. Additional programs provide information, education and services to ensure that people over 50 lead lives of independence, dignity and purpose. Foundation programs are funded by grants, tax–deductible contributions and AARP.
About The New York Life Foundation
Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the New York Life Foundation (www.newyorklifefoundation.org) is the major vehicle through which New York Life Insurance Company channels contributions to national and local nonprofit organizations. Through its Nurturing the Children initiative, the Foundation supports organizations, programs and services that target young people, particularly in the areas of mentoring, safe places to learn and grow, and educational enhancement opportunities. Through Volunteers for LIFE, its national community involvement initiative, New York Life also encourages volunteer participation by its employees, agents, and retirees.
Contacts:
Lisa Fels
New York Life
(212) 576-7937
lisa_fels@newyorklife.com
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