Grands As Parents was formed in 1996 to assist, support, and advocate for the rights of grandparents.

Grands As Parents operates out of the historic Church of the Advocate, located at 18th and Diamond Street in Philadelphia.

Grands As Parents (G.A.P's) advocates making the necessary changes in our society to ensure that children grow fruitfully into adulthood. The name G.A.P.'s was chosen to signify the way we as grandparents replace the gaps of parenthood in our grandchildren's lives.

Grand As Parents recognizes the needs of relative caregivers. North Central Philadelphia is the focus of the Grands As Parents initiative, which is unique in that it takes the form of a support group and an advocacy group for the rights of the family.

Grandparents are already under stress, with many needs of their own. Our perfect picture of a family is usually that of a father, mother, and a child or children. But in today's world that picture doesn't always reflect reality. Many American adults who have already raised their families suddenly find themselves caring for and raising their grandchildren.

The rise in grandparents caring for grandchildren

Grandparents stepping in to raise their grandchildren is not a new development. In Philadelphia, in 1998, there were more than 2.5 million grandparent-headed families - with or without parents. An estimated 62,000 children are living with a grandparent, and the numbers are growing.

There are many reasons why grandparents step in to care for their grandchildren. These reasons include the death of parents, incarceration of parents, substance abuse of parents, teen pregnancy, family violence, and HIV/AIDS. Grandparents are motivated by the love they feel for their grandchildren and step in to fill a gap created by the problem they face. Grandparents also do this to keep their grandchildren out of the system.

When grandparents assume the role of a parent they face a myriad of challenges in nearly all aspects of their lives. They are prone to psychological and emotional strain, as well as feelings of helplessness. They are more likely to live in poverty than a grandparent not raising a grandchild.