Benjamin McPherson - Wetzel Co. Schools, Chief Personnel Officer; Michelle Hogan - Wetzel Co. Schools, Director of Special Programs; Jerry Sands; Traci Nething - Wetzel Co. Schools, Coordinator / Secretary Reece Blatt - YSS; Marsha Croasman - WCCCF, Parents as Teachers Supervisor; Brian Rogers; Teri Wilson; Rebecca Blake; Elizabeth Seckman - Wetzel County Family Resource; Network Director; Anita Carr; Randy Riggenbach; Tom Fonner

On the 21st of April at the Wetzel County Tech Education Center, Ms. Elizebeth Seckman held the monthly Grandfamilies Gathering and luncheon. The gathering was a collaboration between the Wetzel County Family Resource Network and Wetzel County Schools.

Ms. Seckman explained that the program’s goal is to bring together grandparents raising their grandchildren for support, sharing ideas, or discussing concerns arising from the shared experience. The most important goal is to help create bonds that will benefit their grandchildren and their families in a social setting.

The guests were served an enjoyable luncheon prepared by Chef Gary Cardil, and students in the center’s culinary program.

At each meeting a guest speaker talks to the grandparents about programs and opportunities that are available. On this day, Marsha Crosman from the Center for Children and Families was the guest speaker. Ms. Crosman is the Parents as Teachers Supervisor for Wetzel, Tyler, and Pleasants Counties and is a national trainer for the program. She has twenty years experience working with children and families and spent the day sharing ideas and understandings that will benefit the Grandparents.

Ms. Seckman pointed out that in Wetzel County, between 60 and 70% of children live with someone other than their biological parents. Support groups such as these provide ways for grandparents to meet others who find themselves in the position of raising children in their senior years