WESTFIELD-As opioid addictions continue to escalate regionally, a new program at the Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center will provide support to those known as “grand families.”
“The statistics that relate to addiction currently are alarming,” said Liz Walz, ASP, executive director at Genesis. “Opioid addictions, deemed epidemic by the Centers for Disease Control, has ushered in a new era of ‘grand families,’ families parented primarily by grandparents.”
Liz Walz, ASP, and Brian Gwozdz, LADC, are among the facilitators of a free program this fall at the Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center titled “Solace for Grandparents and Kin Raising Grandchildren.”
Walz noted that state statistics indicate there were 6,731 opioid incidents in the last quarter of 2017.
“Of these incidents, the overdose rate in Hampden County has doubled in the past year,” said Walz. “In Massachusetts, there are 10,000 grandparent-led families, of these, 80% of the grandparents lost their children due to substance abuse. This represents an increase of 17% of grandparents raising grandchildren over the past year in Massachusetts.”
Walz and a team of program leaders will offer a free series titled “Healing Hearts Program: Solace for Grandparents and Kin Who Are Raising Grandchildren.” Two-hour sessions will be conducted on Oct. 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Carriage House and child care will be provided.
“We ran a pilot in April and had a very positive response,” said Walz, noting that the participants were all impacted by addiction including an overdose death.
The fall sessions are being funded by proceeds raised during the summer’s Episcopal Church of the Atonement’s Strawberry Festival.
“We had applied for a Strawberry Festival grant for this program and received $4,000 which we are very grateful for,” said Walz.
The series will address a variety of topics, from techniques for inner quieting and insight on addiction and recovery, to the development of coping skills and learning about support systems available for those dealing with grief and loss.
“The role of grandparents, to enjoy grandchildren when they visit, to help with babysitting and to send grandchildren home at the end of the day has changed for all too many grandparents,” said Walz. “Due to addiction, mental illness, incarceration, death, or children gone missing, many grandparents – and other family members, or kin – have become primary parents for their grandchildren.”
Along with Walz, facilitators are Brian Gwozdz, LADC, an addictions counselor who leads group meditations; Ann Williams, RN, MA, MPH, a program developer specializing in addictions and is certified in mental health, and Sister Madeleine Joy, SP, BSN, a chaplain specializing in cancer care, grief support, long-term care with the mentally ill, and drug and alcohol services.
“The lives of grandparents and kin in raising children of addicted parents is fraught with difficulties, emotional, physical and financial,” said Williams. “Genesis offers spiritual solace and solutions which help provide grandparents and kin with peace of heart as they travel their journey.”
Joy shared a similar sentiment.
“The Healing Hearts Program offers a unique opportunity for grandparents and kin living with the shame and stigma of addiction to, in a safe and supportive community, share their stories and come to a better understanding of addiction and its accompanying griefs and losses.”
Gwozdz concurred.
“Opioid addiction is an alarming widespread phenomenon I knew very little about but now I know for certain a large segment of grandparents are in dire need of support and resources to confront this challenge,” said Gwozdz.
After the series is completed, a weekly group for kinship and reflection in a supportive environment will be offered to the public at Genesis. The launch date is expected during the week of Oct. 30.
“Adults in this situation are dealing with stress, grief, frustration, legal issues, financial demands and aging,” said Walz. “Through this program we can help people with practical support, hope and peace while they are walking their journey.”
Pre-registration is required for the series since seating is limited. For more information and to register, call Genesis at (413) 562-3627.
