Through federal Older Americans Act funding, Trellis supports home and community-based services that help older adults meet basic needs and live stable and secure lives. These services help people with low incomes and those facing other disparities in the seven-county metro area. The formula for distributing OAA funds across Minnesota is currently being debated. Add your voice to the Minnesota Board on Aging Request for Comment on the Intrastate Funding Formula to ensure an equitable formula for metro older adults.
At 67, Clif Watson had retired and was taking things slow. His life changed significantly when his son revealed he had a daughter. Cliff’s granddaughter’s mother was his son’s ex-girlfriend. Cliff knew immediately that he wanted to be a part of his granddaughter’s life, but he never thought of taking custody of her.
As he worked to build a relationship with his granddaughter, it became clear that she and the other children in the household were at risk. When Child Protection Services became involved and he learned that the children were about to be separated, he took action.
The legal battle to obtain custody of the children took three long years, but Cliff persevered and finally got custody of his granddaughter and her brother. He was happy about the outcome but was daunted by the responsibility. Being an older adult and already retired, he didn’t know how he would provide the children with the best life possible.
One day, a woman called and informed him about Kinship Family Support Services, a part of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. The woman explained how they could support him and the children financially, legally and even mentally.
Kinship Family Support Services helped him move from a one-bedroom apartment to a three-bedroom home, which meant a lot to him and the children. The program provided much-needed financial assistance, which helped Clif to cover the additional costs of raising grandchildren. The children now have more freedom to pursue their dreams, and Cliff could see his grandson’s progress year after year. One day, his granddaughter asked him how she would know what she wanted to be and whether being a doctor was her only option. This question made Cliff realize his granddaughter was already thinking about her future at 11.
One of the things that Cliff liked about the Kinship Family Support Services was the emotional support it provided. They hold monthly video meetings for grandparents who had custody of their grandchildren or those who didn’t but wanted to participate. They discussed everything and anything, and if someone had a problem, they discussed it. Cliff found comfort in these meetings and never wanted to miss any.
Through the Kinship program, Cliff discovered he was not alone in his struggles. He advises grandparents to seek help. Help is there so the child and the grandparents can move forward. Thanks to the Kinship Family Support Services, Cliff was able to provide a better life for his grandchildren and be part of their lives in a meaningful way.
