Beth Jester, Co-Founder/Facilitator of Central Bucks BC Grand Families Support Group (right) provides resource information at a recent event with Lisa Barnelli, Facilitator of the Lower Bucks County BC Grand Families Support Group (left), and Carolyn Matthews, Facilitator of the Upper Bucks County BC Grand Families Support Group (middle).
by June Portnoy
The BC Grand Families Support Group has become an invaluable resource for grandparents and other relatives who find themselves raising children. Founded in 2019 by New Britain resident Beth Jester, this support group provides a welcoming environment where caregivers can connect, share experiences, and gain access to essential resources that help them navigate their unique challenges.
For the first five years, this support group met at the Lenape Valley Presbyterian Church in New Britain, its Central Bucks County location, where Beth is a member.
As demand grew, the support group expanded last April, launching a Lower Bucks County chapter in Levittown at the Acts of Grace Church, led by Lisa Barnelli. By September of last year, a third chapter was established in Upper Bucks County at Calvary Souderton Church, facilitated by Carolyn Matthews. These expansions were made possible through funding from the Bucks County Opioid Settlement Funds, distributed by the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission.
According to Beth, the number of grandparents raising grandchildren in Bucks County is staggering. As of the most recent census, approximately 12,000 grandparents in Bucks County are raising their grandchildren, with around 90,000 across Pennsylvania. Many of these situations arise due to parental struggles, including addiction, incarceration, or other life-altering circumstances. Understanding the immense challenges these families face, Beth saw the urgent need for a support group that could provide guidance and camaraderie for those in similar situations.
“It was 100 percent clear to me that there was a huge need for this support group, and that there were people out there that had no knowledge of the things that I had learned along the way, and I wanted to share them,” Beth explains. “Selfishly, I also wanted to be among my peers. It’s a lonely place to be when you first take on your grandkids.”
Beth Jester and her husband John have lived in Central Bucks County for nearly four decades, raising their own children before stepping in to raise their two grandchildren. Their journey began when their grandchildren, then just a few month’s old and two-and-a-half years old, came into their care. As Beth searched for a local support group to help navigate this uncharted territory, she was met with a void; no such group existed in the county.
Determined to fill this gap, Beth co-founded the BC Grand Families Support Group. The group quickly took off, offering a much-needed space for grandparents and other relatives to share their experiences and gain access to vital resources.
“When I first started raising my grandchildren, I had to quit my job and go back to diaper changing, feeding, bathing, and all the things that a new parent does,” Beth recalls. “You don’t have baby stuff in your house anymore, and suddenly you’re buying a crib, a high chair, baby food. It wasn’t an average situation for someone my age.”
The BC Grand Families Support Group provides a supportive community where members can share their experiences and receive guidance from peers who have faced similar challenges. Meetings include discussions led by experts on a range of relevant topics, such as trauma therapy and raising children in the digital age. The group also assists members in navigating available programs such as Medicaid and the Family Service Association, ensuring that families are aware of and able to access the necessary resources available to them.
Understanding the challenges of attending meetings, the group also provides free babysitting, offered by the nonprofit organization Along the Way, allowing caregivers to focus on the sessions without concern for childcare. Additionally, a complimentary dinner is provided, easing the burden for attendees who often have limited time to prepare meals before heading to the meetings.
One of the most valuable aspects of the BC Grand Families Support Group is the sense of community it fosters. Many grandparents and other caregivers find themselves isolated, as their peers are often in different life stages. Raising children later in life presents unique physical, emotional, and financial challenges. The group provides a network of understanding individuals who can offer practical advice, emotional support, and friendship.
“Your peers are not doing what you’re doing, and it’s a lonely place because all of your time is taken up with the physical and mental caretaking of children,” Beth shares. “I know what it’s like to be up at night, worrying about how to navigate school systems, extra-curricular activities, and healthcare. That’s why this group is so important.”
Additionally, the children in these families often experience trauma, having been uprooted from their previous living situations. The support group helps caregivers learn how to best address these challenges, ensuring a smoother transition for both the children and their guardians. By sharing experiences, members gain insight into what has worked for others in similar situations, offering them reassurance and guidance.
As demand continues to grow, Beth Jester and her team remain committed to expanding their reach and services. The group welcomes anyone raising the children of a loved one, including aunts, uncles, great-grandparents, and even close family friends who have stepped into parental roles.
All three support groups meet the same two Mondays a month from 6 to 7:30 pm. Meetings are held September through November and then again from March through May, so its next meeting will take place March 3. Registration is required by noon on the day of each meeting to ensure adequate preparation for babysitting and meals. There is no cost to attend these support groups.
The BC Grand Families Support Group is more than just a meeting place—it is a lifeline for those navigating the challenges of raising children under unexpected circumstances. With its continued efforts, families can find the support, resources, and connections they need to thrive. For more information, inquiries can be directed to Beth Jester at BCGrandfamilies@gmail.com.