WILKES-BARRE – Registration is still open for the 19th Annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Conference, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24, at the Woodlands Inn. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
GRG of NEPA merged with the GRG Advocacy Council, chaired by Frank Mariano, in June. The GRG Advocacy Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting grandparents and other kinship caregivers and their families.
“Frank Mariano and I both believe that the conference is an excellent way to provide ideas for GRG families,” said Howard Grossman, longtime GRG of NEPA organizer. “We believe the awareness of the demographic has been achieved, but we need to learn from as many families as possible what their problems are. We encourage as many to be with us as possible including minority groups and the Latino community in the region.”
Scheduled speakers include state Sen. Patty Kim of Dauphin County, Pashinski, grossman, and Mariano, along with additional presenters.
The conference features morning and afternoon sessions, a hot lunch, and snacks. Morning sessions will highlight featured speakers, while the afternoon will offer access to legal representatives and new details regarding commonwealth resources. Resource tables will also be available.
mike Bobolowski from the Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne/Wyoming Counties is handling registrations. Attendees can register by calling or emailing 570-822-1158, ext.2386 (michael.bobrowski@luzernecounty.org) or upon arrival before 9 a.m.
The cost is $35 for professional social service personnel and the general public; grandparents raising grandchildren attend free. Vendors can register with Julie Mann at ccaging14@ptd.net.
For more information, visit grgnepa.org or contact Howard Grossman at 570-262-3443.
The GRG Advocacy Board includes Frank mariano, president and Support Group Facilitator; Deanna German, vice president and director of Wyoming County Child and Youth Services; Joe Kerestes, Treasurer and CPA; Joan Gower-retired, Support Group Facilitator; Joanie Salla, Adjunct Professor at Misericordia University; Pashinski; Grossman, retired conference chair; Tina Doughton, School Psychologist; and Sandra Moosic, from the Office of Social Security.
Founding members of the organization are Brenda Saba, John Calamino, and Beth O’Boyle.
Grossman extended thanks to Catherine Faraday for her assistance in preparing for the conference, as well as Matt Kaplan from penn State University and Alex Maasdam from Kin Connector in Harrisburg for their ongoing support.
