About Us

"Our present circumstances don't determine where you go; they merely determine where you start."

- Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy

CUWH Phone Number: 203-524-3552

Email: mbrenker1@gmail.com

As a society we need to revamp and re-adjust the support and much needed services for these grandfamilies due to a nationwide shortage of resources and subsidies for mental health assistance we need to expand upon these resources, increasing the integration of behavioral health and broaden mental health care throughout our nation.

As the saying goes “It takes a village to raise a child!” Through involving the members of communities with their donations, time, and leadership skills we are creating that village!

How common are Grandfamilies?

Grandfamilies are more common than you may realize. More than 6 million youth in the United States now live in households headed by at least one grandparent or kinship guardian. In the state of Connecticut alone at the end of 2022 there are more than 40K grandfamilies.

Grandparents and guardians raising these children in crisis often have less time for themselves and less time to spend with their partners and friends. This loss of social connections can be stressful and can contribute to depression and feelings of anger, loss, and grief among the grandparents and guardians. This also leaves these grandparents and guardians in a very precarious situation as most of them face the financial struggles of putting food on their tables, the rise in electric and heating costs, clothing costs, and so much more that is needed in caring for these children.

What CUWH Focuses on...

Communities United With Hope is focused on the physical, mental, and financial needs of these primary caregivers. We assist these grandfamilies with group therapy sessions not only for the children but for the grandparents and guardians as well. In addition, we offer them peer support groups, tutoring assistance for the children, donations from our kids closet, internet safety classes, and fun clubs and programs planned with other grandfamily members.

Definition of Grandfamilies: Grandparents and kinship families are a situation in which children reside and are being raised by grandparents, or other extended family members, and adults with whom they have a close family-like relationship.

Definition of a child in crisis: When a child has been removed from the custody of their parents as their parents most likely are either deceased, incarcerated or deemed unfit.

Mental Health & Grandparents: Grandparents who are raising children displaced by the opioid crisis and other behavioral health issues are putting off retirement to support their grandchildren.

Many of these children raised by grandparents are referred for clinical treatment due to problems with concentration, hyperactivity, depression, oppositional-defiant behavior, temper tantrums, mood swings, and social isolation. Yet the costs are more than most Grandparents can afford as their retirement savings is now being tapped into and funds are low and the waiting lists for therapy sessions are approximately 6 months or longer.

The group therapy sessions will be broken down with a group of peers by subject matter and age. The group meeting sessions will be held once a week for 90 minutes for 8 weeks. The meetings for these grandparents, guardians, and children, will be held at the same time in different rooms, each with the same subject matter broken down to their level of learning. Both the grandparents and guardians must sign up at the same time as the children. These meetings will be conducted by a volunteer team of state licensed social workers, therapists, and peer counselors.

What does a child in crisis experience? A child in crisis experiences much confusion, anxiety, and a deep sense of loss. As a result, this may also cause them to feel vulnerable, anxious, scared, guilty, hopeless, and helpless. These crises can also have short-and long-term effects on children’s psychological functioning, emotional adjustment and may have implications for their health and their social and psychological functioning in adulthood.

The Kids closet will include gently used clothing, books, toys, bedding, and baby items donated by the local community members. We at Communities United With Hope look forward to the many community members donating their time in offering Yoga, meditation, art, kayaking, bowling, computer safety classes and so much more for these grandfamilies.