Welcome to our newsletter, a vibrant companion to our podcast that aims to empower and inspire grandparents and parents alike. Each edition offers a comprehensive overview of our latest episode, new developments and milestones within our community, along with reflections on recent interviews, summarizing valuable insights to help nurture and support you and your family. Thanks for being part of our community!

Podcast Spotlight Christian author, grief advocate, and lifelong educator with a heart for those navigating loss- Dr. Jerry Woodbridge.

Navigating Grandfamilies Grief with Dr. Jerry Woodbridge 🙏✨​
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This week on the show, we have the profound privilege of sitting down with Dr. Jerry Woodbridge, a deeply compassionate grief advocate and educator. Drawing from her personal journey through widowhood and her extensive expertise in children's grief, Dr. Woodbridge sheds light on the unique emotional landscape children navigate after experiencing loss or family disruption.
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For grandparents who have stepped into the vital role of raising their grandchildren, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Woodbridge offers crucial insights into understanding the multi-layered grief that can affect both generations. She'll guide us on how to recognize subtle signs of grief in children and share practical, faith-based tools to foster healing and hope within your family.
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Join us for an episode filled with wisdom, empathy, and actionable advice on building resilient, joyful "grandfamilies". Tune in to Episode 80- "Practical Tools for Grandfamilies Dealing With Hidden Grief", and hear how you can navigate challenging times and guide the children in your care toward a future filled with healing and promise.

Insights & Inspirations A calendar of this month's episodes.

• Tuesday, September 2- Episode 76- "Five STEPS for Proactive Parenting"​
• Tuesday, September 9- Episode 77- "Two Voices, One Mission: A New Vision for Supporting Grandfamilies"​
• Tuesday, September 16- Episode 78- " Rebuilding Trust and Connection: A Guide to Healing in High-Conflict Divorce"​​
• Tuesday, September 23- Episode 79- "Dyslexia as a Superpower: Unlocking Your Grandchild’s Potential"​
• Tuesday, September 30- Episode 80- "Practical Tools For Dealing With Hidden Grief in Grandfamilies"​

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Joyful Updates We’re going places! Our podcast has reached some milestones since we launched in June and more…

Joyful Updates: Partnering with The Grand Fund

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news with you all! I have recently partnered with and joined the board of The Grand Fund. This incredible organization is the backbone of the mission for It’s a Grand Life, which is dedicated to supporting grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. We provide financial assistance, connect them with subject matter experts, and link them to community resources as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.

So far, The Grand Fund has raised an impressive $70,000 and assisted 115 families. These numbers represent real-world impact and are a testament to the power of our community.

Your Support in Action

Behind every donation is a story of a family whose life is brighter because of you. Your generous contributions recently helped:

• A grandmother in Romeo, MI, buy school clothes for her grandchildren so they could walk into their first day with pride.
• A great-grandmother in Pontiac, MI, welcome her great-grandson with essential baby supplies.
• 25 children in Atlanta, GA, start the school year with new backpacks and school supplies.
• The Rodriguez family in Pontiac, MI, receive a much-needed washing machine, lifting a huge daily burden.
• A grandfamily food distribution center in Huntsville, Alabama, purchase supplies to help their neighbors in need.

These acts of kindness are possible because of your support. By collaborating with organizations like Generations Together (in Georgia), FaithWorks, Aspire Higher, OLHSA (Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency), and Grandparents as Parents (in Alabama), we're reaching and helping more families than ever before.

Stories of Impact

We were honored to assist the Rodriguez family by purchasing their new washing machine. Their grandson, Emanuel, is an Evans Scholar and is currently studying at the University of Michigan. We extend a special thanks to Aspire Higher for introducing us to this deserving family.

Additionally, our partnership with Generations Together helped provide 150 children with new backpacks and school supplies. Our combined efforts were deeply appreciated by the community.

As Ms. Bryant, a grateful grandmother, shared, "I can’t thank you enough for the backpacks, school supplies, and food. This support lifted a heavy financial burden from me and gave my grandchildren a great start to the school year, ready and confident."

The Grand Fund Update

Thank you to all who are supporting It’s a Grand Life! We are expanding to partner with more non-profits across that share our mission.

To date, 87 donors have given an average of $700 each. Thanks to your generosity, we are able to provide meaningful support where it's needed most. We are also proud to share that 96% of every dollar goes directly toward programs for grandfamilies, with only 4% allocated to essential expenses such as website hosting, PR materials, and banking.

Contact us today to learn how you can help, too!
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Best,

Laura Brazan

CEO/Founder

​https://www.grandparents-raising-grandchildren.org/​