Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (TXGRG) is a unique support group that originated in Bexar County. Medina Valley ISD is raising awareness of TXGRG’s commitment to provide information and resources to grandparents raising grandchildren throughout surrounding counties. Founded by Mercedes Bristol, a grandmother of five grandchildren whom she raises, the organization holds meetings and events to connect grandparents to resources like mental health support, food pantries, and legal assistance.
Mercedes and another grandparent approached Medina Valley ISD’s Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator, Christine Orozco about starting a grandparent support group in the district. Orozco said the needs fit the purpose in what the Parent and Family Engagement Program, including fostering positive relationships and promoting engagement to ensure student academic achievement.
Medina Valley Grandparents Raising Grandchildren meeting
Orozco says, “We spoke with the MVISD Director of Federal Programs, Superintendent of Schools, and MVISD Board Members to seek their approval. We also sought permission to extend the invitation, not only to Medina County grandparents, but to grandparents raising grandchildren from surrounding counties. I would not be able to do this without the support of the campus administration and my team in the Federal Programs Department.”
The support group started meeting during the 2017 – 2018 school year and is now in its third year. The future is promising for our grandparents raising grandchildren. To locate meeting times and events, visit the MVISD resource page here.
