Help grandparents send their kids to Disneyland

KARE Program "Disneyland Dream Trip"

The phenomenon of grandparents and other relatives raising children that were not born to them has become more of a reality to many Arizona families. At a time where grandparents should be enjoying retirement and rest, situations arise where they are approached with the responsibility of raising their grandchildren. Similar to grandparent caregivers, other family members are charged with the responsibility of caring for their nieces, nephews, godchildren, siblings, cousins or even at times children that are not related by blood.

Relearning how to parent, adjusting to new lifestyles and caring for our state's most vulnerable children can be emotionally, physically and financially challenging for many relative caregivers. Nevertheless, these families take on the many duties of parenting and numerous sacrifices to ensure the well-being of the children in their care. The KARE program at Golden Gate Community Center, a member of Arizona's Children Association family of agencies, has become aware of the many struggles grandparents and other relative caregivers face. The KARE program has been able to provide many services ranging from providing information DES benefits to legal assistance and emotional support to grandparents and relative caregivers.

The imaginative grandparent and relative caregiver support group that has evolved at Golden Gate Community Center has shared a dream of one day being able to take their children to Disneyland. This dream has been difficult for the caregivers to accomplish because of limited incomes and financial challenges that come with the parenting of children.

Nonetheless, the grandparents and relative caregivers of the Golden Gate KARE program have not lost the hope of turning this dream into a reality for their children. At this time there are a total of 22 families, which consists of 116 individuals that have organized various fundraising events to raise money to go on their "Dream Trip" to Disneyland. With your help, this dream can become a reality for the KARE members and the children in their care. Any contributions or donations for this dream trip would be greatly appreciated. Your help can make a positive difference in the lives of the children being cared for by grandparents and relative caregivers of the Golden Gate KARE program. You can help make this "Dream Trip" to Disneyland come true with your tax deductible contribution to Arizonas Children Association.

Donations/monetary contributions can be mailed to Golden Gate Community Center/KARE Program at 1625 N. 39th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85009 or online at www.arizonaschildren.org/karetrip. Donations are tax-deductible.

If you have any questions regarding the KARE program or the Disneyland dream trip, please feel free to contact Sarah C. Chavez at 602-233-0017 ext. 42 or at schavez@arizonaschildren.org