Grandfamilies of Philadelphia
About 2.5 million children in the United States live in “grandfamilies”—homes where grandparents and other caregivers provide primary care. In Philadelphia, more than 17,000 children are estimated to live with relatives because their parents cannot care for them. In Pennsylvania, it is estimated that for every one child raised by kin in foster care, ten are raised by kin outside of the foster care system.
In 2022, the William Penn Foundation provided three-year grants to eight organizations to improve and expand services for grandfamilies in Philadelphia. This funding supports a range of services, including case management, resources and referrals, peer support groups, outreach and education, and emergency funding for basic needs. The grantees include small grassroots organizations and large multi-service agencies.
As part of this initiative, Generations United received a grant to convene a learning community and provide technical assistance among the grantees and other Philadelphia kinship support organizations. Additionally, Child Trends received funding to develop an evaluation plan to assess the impact of the initiative.
Grantees include:
- Coalition of African Communities (Africom) has offered community services for over 20 years to help African immigrants feel at home in Philadelphia. Africom conducts outreach to grandfamilies, connecting them with resources, referrals for services, workshops, and operates an emergency fund for urgent one-time expenses.
- Grand Central was founded over twenty years ago to improve the lives of grand/kinship caregivers by ensuring that resources, services, and systems are responsive to their unique needs. Grand Central provides access to resources, workshops, peer support groups, and an emergency fund for urgent expenses.
- Masjid Al-Wasatiyah Wal-Itidaal provides religious, educational, and health services to Muslim families in Southwest Philadelphia. The mosque offers respite childcare, support groups, and connects grandfamilies with necessary resources.
- Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) offers supportive services to grandfamily households through case management, peer support groups, and workshops tailored to their needs.
- Pradera Corporation, a subsidiary of Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, supports vulnerable children through adoption and foster care. Pradera offers caregiver workshops, family activities, and case management for grandfamilies.
- SeniorLAW Center is an independent nonprofit legal services organization that seeks justice for older Pennsylvanians through education and advocacy. SeniorLAW Center provides direct legal services to kinship caregivers over the age of 60 and engages pro bono attorneys to expand its reach. It also conducts educational workshops and legal clinics for Philadelphia grandfamilies.
- Connectedly (formerly the Supportive Older Women’s Network) has enhanced the quality of life for older adults and their families for 30 years. Through its Grandfamily Resource Center, Connectedly provides case management, facilitates support groups and workshops, and organizes family events.
- Turning Points for Children is a multi-service agency that supports at-risk families in Philadelphia through programs that include staff training, support groups, respite childcare, emergency funds, and trauma-informed behavioral and mental health services for grandfamilies.
About the William Penn Foundation
The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through efforts that increase educational opportunities for children from low-income families, ensure a sustainable environment, provide inclusive and equitable public spaces, support arts and culture, and advance philanthropy in the Philadelphia region. Learn more at williampennfoundation.org.