WESTFIELD—In spite of support from the community and some elected officials, a support group called Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in Westfield is still struggling financially, according to Maureen Viturale of the group.
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, a group started about 12 years ago by Westfield school adjustment counselors Cathy Frye and Viturale, still needs help financially to assist grandparents in the raising of their grandchildren, according to Viturale. The group provides support and information for the families through workshops, speeches and get-togethers for grandparents and the children they care for.
Maureen Viturale, Pam Dougherty, and Cathy Frye are putting the finishing touches on a program for grandparents raising grandchildren at the Westfield Senior Center (file photo).
And according to Viturale, the group wants to provide more for grandparents and families within the group.
“There’s so many other things we would like to provide,” Viturale said. “We hope to fund programs for kids, enrichment activities, also pay speakers, travel costs (for grandparents), anything to help.”
However, Viturale said that there is just not enough money within their budget. She said they have just $740 left in their budget now, and in a good year it averages just $1,500 for the budget. This money goes toward a number of activities currently being provided to the “10 consistent families” in the program, according to Viturale, as well as for public outreach and informational events.
Some of the events include an annual picnic at Stanley Park, which Viturale said has about 40 people attend yearly, as well as a Christmas party where presents are given to the children within the group. In addition, the group has helped to defray costs for some of the children for school-related items and activities, such as sports fees and school pictures. The group has also established a lending library within the Westfield Senior Center so grandparents have access to materials to assist them in their unique situation.
According to Viturale, the funds for the group’s activities include coming from grants from the Sarah Gillett Services for the Elderly, Inc., as well as a “dress down day” done in the city, in conjunction with Westfield schools. According to Westfield Mayor Brian Sullivan, the dress-down day raised $150 for the group this year.
“Those are our primary funding resources,” she said.
“We have no financial backing other than the charity of strangers,” she added.
On the state level, Viturale said that the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren provides educational services, such as workshops and will come to the region and are free to attend, as well as support for legislation, but no funding is available through them.
If you would like to donate, Viturale said that it can be made to the Grandparents Enrichment Fund at Berkshire Bank, and if you would like more information on how to become involved you can call (413)237-6673 and speak with Viturale. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Baptist Church on Elm Street, with childcare also provided.
