Sunday, April 23, 2023 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 26 SPONSORED CONTENT PROVIDED BY ATLANTIC STREET CENTER When grandparents and other older family members alter their entire lives to care for children whose biological parents are unavailable, everyone is affected. Major resources are needed, and caregivers — at any age — require vital services; otherwise, some of these children may end up within non-familial foster placements, which can often be transient and traumatic. This type of support remains incredibly underfunded, despite the fact that many caretakers, especially grandparents, themselves live on fixed incomes and face a multitude of challenges in fulfilling these crucial roles. Without the caretaker receiving sufficient backup (on many levels), needs in the home may fall short of being met for many children already facing socioemotional challenges. This is when organizations like Atlantic Street Center intervene; this particular group has taken an approach that involves children in youth development services, while the staff provides grandparents and other family caregivers with resources focused on their needs. One of these resources is their Kinship Care Support Group, which curates workshops and fosters connections to benefit the daily lives of families and youth in their communities. Caregivers can also access additional Atlantic Street Center resources, ranging from behavioral health to early learning opportunities and more. Across the board, caregivers benefit from tools that teach them how to manage finances, given the extra responsibility and expense taken on as caregivers. Additionally, it’s been found that, as children age through educational milestones, providing connections with local school staff can be of Senior family members need help filling child care gaps Atlantic Street Center’s mission is to help families and communities raise healthy, successful children and youth through direct services and advocacy for social justice. To learn more about our programs and services, and to get involved, visit atlanticstreetcenter.org. great benefit. “We also have learned that the well-being of older caregivers need additional supports including, but not limited to, services to help them with self-care, preventative health resources and healthy meal choices for family members with vast and diverse nutritional needs within the household,” explains Dr. Pela Terry, executive director of Atlantic Street Center. “We are often challenged with ensuring that we meet the nutrition diversity challenge but mitigate this risk by partnering with other local service providers.” Atlantic Street Center offers four core programs to the community: behavioral health, early learning opportunities, youth development and educational support and advocacy for gender-based violence. They also offer the unique CoRe program (Courage, Cooperation, Respect and Resourcefulness) — a video game-based resource for middle school children in Seattle. By using co-op video games, youth can acquire such skills as staying calm under pressure, communicating effectively and respectfully with others, and expanding their connection to family and community. Inflation has hit families in these unexpected caregiving situations especially hard, as it’s also impeded organizations in the nonprofit sector attempting to provide support. “Atlantic Street Center is 113 years old,” Terry says, “which means we have seen and taken note of generational poverty.” These organizations see the short- and long-term effects of those lacking everyday necessities including access to mental healthcare, education, community belonging and general safety. Terry adds, “Studies have shown that to help a family create their own sustainability and healthy living, both the parent and child need assistance. That assistance can vary, as there is no one-size-fits all when it comes to healing from trauma.” In the end, this extra support for caregivers trickles down to the children, and everyone benefits. “It is amazing to see our older caregivers and their child sharing positive experiences together!” Terry says. “When there is an opportunity to see a child learn to laugh, raise interesting questions, share a fun activity, these and other activities reinforce such positive social structuring for the developing child.” Additionally, as a child learns coping skills, they become better able to communicate and problem solve. Terry and her team see this impact immediately. And despite relationship dynamics that often feel daunting, whether it’s a grandparent in the responsible role or otherwise, staff members see how the support sessions and activities become a joint experience that reinforces a sense of striving and thriving — together. A youth holds their books from the book fair put on by Atlantic Street Center’s Youth Development Team. (Atlantic Street Center) Donate today! Two participants at Atlantic Street Center’s Valentine’s Day Celebration. (Michael B. Maine Photography)
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