GRANDcares Free Summer Program Begins

GRANDcares, a free seven-week summer program intended for grandparents, youth and children, is set to begin their summer programs this week.

The classes will be held at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College campus in the Community Services building next to the Co-op Extension offices.

GRANDcares is a project of the University of Hawaiʻi Extension and offers classes and resources to grandparents raising their grandchildren.

The seven-week summer program begins on Tuesday June 11, 2019 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and includes separate programs for grandparents, youth and children. Grandparents raising their grandchildren participate in classes that focus on managing stress, communicating in ways that help them advocate for themselves and their grandchildren, setting and reaching goals, and finding helpful community resources.

GRANDcares Youth Club is a 4-H club designed for youth between ages 8 and 12 who are raised by their grandparents. Youth learn and practice tools that build leadership skills, stress management strategies, and goal setting.

“I love socializing with others in the club,” said a past Youth Club participant, “We’ve been trying to implement what we’ve learned in classes to our own lifestyles.”

Grandchildren under age 8 participate together in fun, age appropriate activities. The program is open to all “grandfamilies” (grandparent headed households). Classes run every Tuesday from June 11 through July 23 and include breakfast.

The program is free but registration is required.