Who We Are
BC Grandfamilies Support Group is run by grandparents and professionals for grandparents and other relatives raising the children of loved ones. We advocate for grandfamilies, build supportive connections, discuss challenges, celebrate successes, broaden our knowledge, offer resources and guest speakers, and educate others through lived experience.
We are a support group of Lenape Valley Church. We meet every other Monday from 6:00–7:30 PM during the spring and fall (March through May and September through November) at three locations: Quakertown, New Britain, and Levittown. Dinner and babysitting are offered at no cost to families. We serve Bucks County and beyond!
Our support group was modeled after an existing support group in Chester County, which had been meeting for 10 years at the time.
2018 Inception
Roberta Edgar was raising her granddaughter on her own at the time.
John and Beth Jester had been raising their grandchildren for three and a half years. Feeling alone and isolated and unable to find this type of support anywhere in Bucks County, they joined forces to establish BC Grandfamilies Support Group. The Philadelphia Presbytery awarded us a grant that sustained the group for several years.
We partnered with Michaela Smith, Director of the Family Support Program at Access Services’ Bucks County LIFE Program. She helped plan the support group by gathering resources, suggesting speakers, and assisting with the Facebook page.
2019 Community Involvement
Beth spoke on April 2, 2019, at Be Part of the Conversation, a community support group in Montgomery County.
On April 4, 2019, Beth and Roberta spoke at the third annual Bucks County Blitz kickoff, sharing their experiences as grandparents and discussing “The Collateral Damage of the Opioid Crisis.” The event was held at the Doylestown Justice Center and attended by 70 local officials, including law enforcement representatives, state representatives, members of the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission, and the District Attorney. The Blitz is an opioid awareness initiative that emphasizes networking and system involvement during an annual, month-long series of events. Following the event, BC Grandfamilies Support Group was mentioned in a Daily Intelligencer newspaper article covering the Blitz. Roberta and Beth were also interviewed and appeared on PBS Channel 39 news on April 7.
Later that evening, both spoke at the first of dozens of month-long events hosted by Robert Whitley, Esquire, founder of the Blitz. They discussed the collateral damage that drug and alcohol use can cause for families.
The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging partnered with our support group by connecting us with volunteer adult babysitters during our first few months.
The Central Bucks YMCA offered and provided babysitting for children in BC Grandfamilies Support Group for up to four hours per month per child, at no cost to our families.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Bucks County advertised our support group on its website.
We were invited to attend the Bucks County Resource Fair and Conference, sponsored by Magellan Health Services, Inc., and the Bucks County Department of Human Services, on May 22, 2019. We attended and hosted a resource table.
We supported the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission in planning and hosting its first Grand Family Expo on June 19, 2019, at Christ Home.
The support group was highlighted in the BC LIFE Newsletter, part of Access Services, in fall 2019.
In October 2019, several grandmothers met with State Representative Todd Polinchock at his Chalfont office to raise awareness.
2019 Spring Support Group Meetings
Sixteen families attended the support group during its first three months, from March through May. By fall, 25 families had attended.
Speakers
- BC LIFE spoke about compassion fatigue among caregivers
- A counseling group spoke about trauma.
- A representative from Senator Steve Santarsiero’s office attended a support group meeting to assess the needs of grandparents raising their grandchildren.
2019 Fall Support Group Meetings
Speakers
- Bethany Christian Services spoke about respite care.
- The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging shared information about its Caregiver Support Program, which offers monthly reimbursements to eligible caregivers.
- Big Brothers Big Sisters shared how its organization could benefit our children.
On December 14, Milton Hershey School hosted our group by providing a bus, a tour of the school, and a fun-filled visit to Hersheypark, all at no cost to our families.
2020 Community Involvement
On February 22, 2020, Roberta was invited to participate in a panel discussion hosted by the Central Bucks School District in cooperation with the CB Cares Educational Foundation, Doylestown Hospital, and the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission. The event was the second annual Drug & Alcohol Awareness Event, held at Central Bucks High School South from 5:30–8:30 PM. We provided a resource table for the public, and Roberta, as a panelist, offered a glimpse into our lives. She discussed the collateral damage and ripple effects of increased drug and alcohol use on grandfamilies.
Due to the many demands on her time, Roberta resigned as co-facilitator.
COVID-19 shut down the country, and we began holding Zoom meetings during the second meeting in March. We met twice more via Zoom in May.
2020 Spring Support Group Meetings: Zoom and In Person
Speakers
- Nancy Larkin-Taylor, Esquire, spoke about family law and legal concerns affecting grandfamilies.
Over the summer months, five of our grandfamilies received support from the Central Bucks YMCA, which provided summer camp opportunities for their grandchildren
2020 Fall Support Group Meetings – During COVID-19
Speakers
- PA KinConnector
- Bucks County LIFE Program
2021 Spring Support Group Meetings: Zoom and In Person
Speakers
- Family Service Association of Bucks County
- Janine Kiah, Esquire, of the SeniorLAW Center, spoke about its “Pursuing Justice for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren in PA” program.
- Penn State Extension’s RAPP (Relatives as Parents Program), with Professor Matthew Kaplan and Darlene Sansome.
Over the summer months, monthly informal meetings were offered at local playgrounds, where families enjoyed water ice and peer support. Adults had an opportunity to catch up, share resources, and support one another while keeping an eye on the children.
2021 Fall Regular In-Person Support Group Meetings
In September, I hired a magician to entertain the children.
On October 15, a high school senior participating in 4-H came to a meeting to complete an award requirement. She shared crafts and games and brought animals for the children to enjoy.
Speakers
- NOVA presented “Cyber Safety for Parents.”
- Anita Bell, Pastor of Lenape Valley Church, presented “Holidays That Matter.”
2022 Spring Support Group Meetings
Speakers
- Child and Family Focus, Inc.
- Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership
- Caregiver Soul-utions presented Grab and Go Books for Emergencies.
Over the summer months, informal monthly meetings were offered at local playgrounds, where families enjoyed water ice and peer support. Adults had an opportunity to catch up, share resources, and support one another while keeping an eye on the children.
2022 Fall Support Group Meetings
Speakers
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bucks County
- Dawn Padanyi Law discussed legal concerns affecting grandfamilies.
On December 3, our support group attended a local high school play.
In February 2023, we held an informal get-together at Christ Home Community Center.
2023 Spring Support Group Meetings
Speakers
- Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
- Access Services & LIFE Program
- Fostering Hope Bucks County
- KinConnector
Over the summer months, we held two informal get-togethers at a playground. Fruit, vegetables, and water were provided to families.
2023 Fall Support Group Meetings
Speakers
- Camp Crossroads, St. Luke’s/Penn Foundation
- Milton Hershey School
- Bucks for Kids
- Bethany Christian Services – Safe Families
2024
Exciting news came this year! Our support group expanded throughout the county to make support more accessible to community members who need it most. We received a sizable grant made possible through Bucks County Opioid Settlement Funds, managed by the Bucks County Drug & Alcohol Commission. This grant enabled the support group to expand its services to families throughout Bucks County.
With the growing number of grandparents and other family members raising the children of loved ones, the group expanded in April to include a Lower Bucks County Support Group in Levittown at Acts of Grace Church. Lisa Barnelli, a senior kinship navigator with PA KinConnector, became the facilitator. In September, we expanded again to include an Upper Bucks County Support Group meeting at Calvary Souderton Church, with Carolyn Matthews as facilitator. Our support group continued to grow quickly.
Our meeting schedule changed this year to two Monday evenings per month, from 6:00–7:30 PM, usually on the first and third Mondays.
On April 27, Milton Hershey School treated our support group, including 45 adults and children, to a tour of the school and a day at Hersheypark. This was a full 12-hour day that everyone thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed. There was no cost to families.
2024 Spring Support Group Meetings
On May 8, Lisa attended the annual Family Service Association of Bucks County Family and Community Festival.
Speakers
- BC Opportunity Council
- Choice One
On June 7, our entire support group met in New Hope to enjoy the summer fireworks.
On July 16, Judy Tudy, a clown and magician, performed for our families. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance, and we provided peer support and resources to new attendees.
On August 26, we held a summer gathering at Lenape Valley Church featuring a bounce house and s’mores to kick off the upcoming school year. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to have fun, connect with one another, and share resources and support.
On September 5, Lisa attended a senior expo hosted by State Representative Tina Davis.
On September 21, Carolyn, Beth, and Lisa participated in the annual Sweatshirts of Hope event in Souderton.
On September 25, Lisa attended a senior expo hosted by State Representative Frank Farry.
2024 Fall Support Group Meetings
On October 15, Lisa attended the annual senior expo hosted by State Representative Tina Davis.
Speakers:
- Bux-Mont Counseling discussed trauma work at two meetings.
- PA Family Support Alliance presented “Raising Kids in Today’s Digital Era.”
- Family Service Association of Bucks County
For outreach purposes, we worked hard to identify additional email addresses so we could share information about our support group with more people and organizations. These included, but were not limited to, Bucks County pediatricians, public and private schools, nursery schools and daycares, parole officers, townships, and public and private mental health and substance use treatment providers. There are always more organizations and agencies to reach out to.
In the late February editions of the Doylestown Observer and the Levittown Ledger, we appeared on the front covers with an article titled “Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren.”
Brochures were created and printed.
On December 8, we held a Christmas party at Lenape Valley Church. The children and families had a great time making reindeer poop crafts and participating in other arts and crafts activities.
2025 Spring Support Group Meetings
Speakers
- Community Service Foundation/BuxMont Academy presented information about Family Group Decision Making.
- Access Services LIFE Program
On March 8, Lisa and Beth participated in Bucks County Community College’s second annual Recovery and Mental Health Fair.
On March 25, Carolyn and Beth participated in the Quakertown School District’s Community Fair.
On April 18, Lisa attended a resource fair in Montgomery County.
On May 7, Lisa and Karen attended the annual Family Service Association of Bucks County Family and Community Festival.
On July 23, the support group visited Ross Mill Pig Farm in Jamison. Interacting with the pigs and touring the farm was a lot of fun. The baby pigs were the cutest!
On August 18, Acts of Grace Church, where the Levittown meetings are held, hosted the Lower Bucks County Support Group for a special dinner and backpack distribution. Church members filled every child’s backpack with all the required school supplies and more!
2025 Fall Support Group Meetings
On September 20, Lisa, Carolyn, and Karen attended the annual Sweatshirts of Hope event in Souderton.
Speakers
- Camp Crossroads
- Bethany Safe Families
- Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
On Saturday, December 6, we held a Christmas party at Lenape Valley Church. The children made puppets and enjoyed a wonderful puppet show by Puppet Pizzazz. The children and staff had so much fun!
On December 13, Acts of Grace Church, where the Levittown meetings are held, hosted the Lower Bucks County Support Group for a Christmas brunch. Gifts were distributed to the children, and pictures were taken with Santa, who is one of our own!
2026 Spring Support Group Meetings
On February 16, Judy Tudy performed a magic show and twisted balloons for the children!
On March 5, Lisa and Carolyn participated in Bucks County Community College’s third annual Recovery and Mental Health Fair
Speakers
- Woods System of Care
- MCC Family Services
On May 5, Beth, Carolyn, and Lisa spoke to Bucks County Probation and Parole about our support group and the challenges facing kinship caregivers everywhere.
On May 12, Lisa and Karen attended the annual Family Service Association of Bucks County Family and Community Festival.
On May 29, Lisa and Karen attended a community fair for the Bensalem School District.
On June 15, we held a picnic in Jamison. The children and adults enjoyed packed lunches, ice cream, and lots of fun!
On August 17, Acts of Grace Church, where the Levittown meetings are held, hosted the Lower Bucks County Support Group for a special dinner and backpack distribution. Church members filled every child’s backpack with all the required school supplies and more!
2026 Fall Support Group Meetings
Speakers
- Jessica Lidle of Milton Hershey School
- Pennsylvania State Trooper Ryan Seiple, Community Affairs Officer
- Rafaella Rahill, Bucks County Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Programs
On September 19, Lisa, Carolyn, and Karen attended the annual Sweatshirts of Hope event in Souderton.
On October 10, Milton Hershey School will treat our families to brunch, a tour of the school, and an afternoon of fun at Hersheypark, including a meal. We are so grateful for this opportunity, and we look forward to a wonderful day!