New Mexico Voices for Children statistics reveal that close to 24% of grandparents residing in the State who are responsible for grandchildren under 18 years of age are living at or below the federal poverty level. The story that follows has been shared by one grandmother enrolled in agency services. Grandparents Program Coordinator Naomi Diamond describes her as extremely humble and forever praising her grandsons as the sustenance in her life. It is our experience that this story is not uncommon for this population of selfless caregivers who find themselves parenting for a second time.
I am a grandmother raising my eight-year-old twin grandsons in Santa Fe. I’ve been caring for them for five years. Their mother abandoned them and their father is in prison. I wasn’t about to let them go into foster care. These children have given me so much love and joy but it isn’t an easy job. Every day is a challenge. I previously worked as a companion to assist an elderly gentleman by doing housekeeping and cooking. But when his wife was laid off due to the pandemic, my services were no longer needed. I live now on a fixed income which means I live paycheck to paycheck.
I first began attending Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) group meetings in 2019. At that time, I met the program’s facilitator Naomi Diamond. I don’t know what I would have done without her help. We always look forward to group meetings where I meet other grandmothers. It is such a relief to meet women in the same situation and with the same things in common. I always feel listened to and respected by the GRG team. Information is explained clearly and I am introduced to resources I didn’t know existed.
When I got sick at Christmas, Las Cumbres’ GRG program helped with much-needed food, new winter clothing for the twins, and even a few holiday gifts under the tree. Earlier in the year, we got to go to the Santa Fe Children’s Museum and The Bug Museum. GRG has helped with the cost of utilities and additional groceries when times were especially tough as the pandemic arrived. With COVD-19 affecting so many, of course, we couldn’t socialize anymore but GRG still helped with all they could. Naomi was always there, even just to check on us.
Art work from boys in this story
With the help of this program, I have met all the goals that I originally set. I feel listened to and respected by everyone at Las Cumbres. Today, I have no living relatives but with Las Cumbres my boys and I have a family.
To assist a family as the one featured in this story or if you or someone you know is a caregiver to children that have assumed care of children, please contact Naomi Diamond by filling out the form below or phone.