Orphaned Children Raised by an Older Sibling

 

SELAH helps sibling-headed families in which the children have lost parents due to illness, accidents, domestic violence, and other crises.

Raising children after the loss of parents is a trying challenge and a huge responsibility for anyone to face. It’s especially tough for someone who is barely 20 years old, and whose individual needs and plans are often sacrificed as they are thrust into the role of parenting. At a time when their peers are typically involved in building their own futures, these young adults are, instead, struggling to provide stable homes for their siblings. In addition to dealing with the grief of their younger brothers and sisters, they, too, are mourning the loss of their parents. As immigrants in the country, all these families are simultaneously struggling with multiple financial, cultural, emotional and practical difficulties.

SELAH's expert teams of specialists and trained volunteers are there to respond to the urgent and ongoing needs of these young, bereaved families with practical assistance and guidance, also serving as a link to the appropriate governmental and local authorities. Provisions are also made for food, clothing, school supplies or household needs when necessary.

SELAH's retreats provide the young caregivers and their siblings with an opportunity for "time out," as well as peer support groups with space for sharing and enabling a sense of togetherness. This is their only chance to meet other children who are being raised in similar circumstances. "I don't feel so different here," said an 11-year-old raised by his brother since both parents died.

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