FAIRFIELD, CA — The Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD) is excited to announce the second Grandparent Café of the 2024-2025 school year, a specialized edition of Be Strong Families’ Parent Cafés, hosted by Dover Elementary School. Designed to support grandparents who play a vital role in the lives of their grandchildren, these cafés provide a welcoming space for grandparents to connect, share experiences, and discuss the unique joys and challenges of raising grandchildren.
Building on the success of the first Grandparent Café held in September, this series is structured around Be Strong Families’ Five Protective Factors: parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support in times of need, and social-emotional competence of children. The next café, scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, at Dover Elementary School, will offer grandparents a chance to discuss these factors and explore how each one can strengthen family bonds and support children’s well-being.
“Our Grandparent Cafés are here to support all grandparents in our community, especially those who are stepping into the role of primary caregivers for their grandchildren,” said Holly Collins, Coordinator of Parent and Family Engagement for FSUSD. “We recognize the unique challenges and profound rewards they experience, and our goal is to provide them with a space where they feel empowered, supported, and connected to others on a similar journey.”
Betty Jo Ortiz, a grandparent who has attended several cafés, shared, “The Grandparent Café has been a wonderful resource. I’ve connected with other grandparents who truly understand my situation, and each time I leave with new energy, confidence, and practical tools to help me navigate the challenges of raising my grandchildren. It’s comforting to know I’m not alone.”
The Grandparent Café and Parent Café series are integral to FSUSD’s commitment to family engagement and are open to all families in the district. The Parent Café series is offered at various school sites across the district, providing families with a welcoming space to connect, share, and access support. The specialized Grandparent Cafés, hosted by Dover Elementary, offer a focused environment for grandparents to connect, share their experiences, and access resources designed specifically to support their unique role in raising grandchildren.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Location: Dover Elementary School, 301 E. Alaska Ave., Fairfield, CA 94533
Time: 8:30 am – 10:00 am
Open to: All grandparents in the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Holly Collins
Email: engage@fsusd.org
Phone: 707-399-4330