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resources for grandparents caring for children |
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KinKare back to page one click
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KinKare was established in October 2002 at Eagleby, near Beenleigh in south-east Queensland. Since then it has set up groups in Nerang, Stanthorpe, Gladstone, Inala and the Sunshine Coast, and has assisted groups in Zillmere, Cairns, Lowood and countless others. We believe newly established groups will officially come on line every year. KinKare was started because three grandmothers, with different situations, chanced to meet and all believed that they had to fight for a fair go for grandparents. All of their situations were different, but the support they found in each other was incredible. At the time, Maree was denied access to her grandchildren, Danni was getting hers on and off like a yoyo through the local state system, and Miriam had hers under one state’s laws, but they were taken from her by another state’s decision! At that stage, they knew it was important to get all grandparents who were in need of support together. They also saw that other grandparent support groups, in existence in their area at the time, were not able or willing to lobby for political change. These three grandmothers were. In fact, they were raring to bring these issues to the attention of all levels of government and anyone else who could help. They had been through living with drug addicts, the trauma of seeing grandchildren driven away by a drunken parent, and most other situations. They had wondered what they could do in their wills, where their grandchildren would go if anything happened to them, and they had felt the barbs from friends and relatives alike. They knew social isolation and the thought that they must have done something wrong. Together they have found a solution. You are welcome to join them and receive similar support. Circumstances have changed for the three grandmothers over the years. In each case it was for the better. Maree now revels in watching the grandchildren she was once denied access to play sport every weekend. Miriam and Danni both have nigh on permanent orders with the support of the local child protection body. The three have fought hard for what they now enjoy and want to help others do the same. However, the going is not easy. They remain committed to helping others to get what they now enjoy. This means fighting for those who come after them, creating awareness of the situations that grandparents are in, and keeping grandparents/ relative carers in touch with the others in the same situation. They hope you will join to help show how great a group they are. Click here to inquire about joining KinKare.
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