Grandmothers raising children also get attention “There is nothing worse than the feeling of being alone,” says Tali McCall. To combat that feeling for single mothers and single grandmothers raising children, Keiki ‘Ohana Therapeutic Services is facilitating a series of
Grandmothers raising children also get attention
“There is nothing worse than the feeling of being alone,” says Tali McCall.
To combat that feeling for single mothers and single grandmothers raising children, Keiki ‘Ohana Therapeutic Services is facilitating a series of free weekly discussions that are scheduled to begin tomorrow.
The sessions will be held each Tuesday for six to eight weeks, and possibly longer, at the Kapa’a Public Library from 1 to 2 p.m.
Single-parenting issues will be discussed in the informal setting, including role identification, discipline, nurturing, self-esteem, self-care and community services available to the single moms and grandmothers, said McCall, owner of Keiki ‘Ohana Therapeutic Services, and Shellie Henderson, who will both lead the sessions.
The focus of the informal group will be to give single mothers emotional and social support, offer stress reduction techniques, and otherwise help to contribute to participants’ general well-being.
Through this interaction, the children of participants will experience enhanced well-being as well, McCall said.
“It really does take a community to raise a child,” she said.
The group is open to single, separated, widowed and divorced mothers and grandmothers ages 18 and above.
It was McCall’s idea to start a group in the community, and Henderson’s plan to focus on single mothers. They envision a self-esteem builder to help single moms continue to be productive members of society, to encourage them not to give up, and to learn from the experiences of other single mothers (like Henderson) on the island.
“Children are the work of life. We were young once, and someone took care of us. Now, it’s our turn,” Henderson said, quoting a Cree Indian proverb.
Henderson and McCall said there is no program like this currently on the island, and both are eager to get this project started.
“I’m excited. I think our community can really use it,” said Henderson.
Henderson and McCall thanked Dale Huber of the library for making room in the facility along Kuhio Highway, next to the Kapa’a Beach Park, for the group’s meetings.
Women interested in attending the sessions can reach McCall at 823-0276 or 651-8591, and Henderson can be reached at 822-0387.
McCall has college degrees in family therapy, chemical dependency (she is a licensed substance abuse counselor) and medical technology, and is a diplomate in social work.
Staff writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net
