Our commitment
A North Philadelphia nonprofit built by and for grandparents raising grandchildren
Introduction
In 1998, there were over 2.5 million grandparent-headed families with or without parents present. In Philadelphia, an estimated 62,000 children are living with a grandparent. A grandparent stepping in to raise grandchildren is not a new development — what is new is the growth in this phenomenon.
Grandparents step in for many reasons: death of parents, incarceration, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, family violence, and HIV/AIDS. They are motivated by love for their grandchildren and the desire to keep them out of the system.
Grandparent caregivers face challenges in nearly all aspects of life — psychological and emotional strain, financial hardship, neglect of their own health, and the complex needs of children who have experienced instability. Grandparents often need legal custody support, respite services, affordable housing, home repairs, and medical care.
Our history
Founded in 1996
Grands As Parents, Inc. (G.A.P's) was founded in 1996 to support and advocate for the rights of grandparents and relative caregivers. This nonprofit is administered by volunteers and has a board of directors.
G.A.P's willingly collaborates with other nonprofit community organizations under the principle of “It takes a village to raise a child,” and operates out of North Central Philadelphia — historically from the Church of the Advocate at 1801 West Diamond Street, and now at 2227 N. Broad Street, Suite 103.
Over 50% of Philadelphia households are headed by single parents, underscoring the critical role grandparents play. G.A.P's is designed to address the special needs of temporary and permanent custodians of grandchildren, and to assist in cultivating children to grow fruitfully into adulthood.
Our mission
“To provide the support, advocacy, and quality of life every child deserves, by empowering the grandparents who raise them.”Help a child keep a smile
It is the mission of Grands As Parents — Grandparents supporting Grandparents / Relative Caregivers — to provide their families a quality of life that every child deserves.
G.A.P's provides support services and advocates for the rights of the heads of grandparent-led families. We are committed to providing assistance to grandparents, relative caregivers, and the entire households for which they are responsible.
Leadership
Our Board of Directors
Marcia (Qadriyyah) Abdul-Malik
President
Program coordinator and event planner, responsible for developing programs and overseeing member and community engagement. She joined G.A.P's in 2012.
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Juanita Cox
Vice President
Took full guardianship of five grandchildren more than 25 years ago. She helps guide the programs that strengthen families and uplift the community.
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Edward Amicone, Jr.
Treasurer
A Certified Public Accountant with 38 years in the profession, and G.A.P's Chief Accountant and Consultant, assisting with grant proposals and fundraising.
Read full biographyA message from our President
“I came to G.A.P's in 2012 as a volunteer office clerk, and what I found here was a family — grandparents and relative caregivers stepping in to raise children when no one else could, and refusing to let those children fall through the cracks. Every program we plan, every luncheon and giveaway and day out, exists so that a caregiver knows they are not doing this alone and a child gets to be a child. That is what we mean when we say Help A Child Keep A Smile.”
Marcia (Qadriyyah) Abdul-Malik, President, Grands As Parents, Inc.