John,

Being a grandma has been a big part of my life for a while, but my life flipped completely upside down when my daughter passed away in 2019, and my husband and I became primary guardians to her two children.

While caring for my grandchildren has been such an important experience for me, I can’t say it's how I pictured my retirement years going.

The Build Back Better plan would help grandmas like me across the country care for our families. That’s why I’m so excited that Caring Across is bringing grandmas to Washington DC tomorrow to tell our elected officials why Build Back Better is so important to all of us.

I have to take care of my grandkids, so can’t make it to DC tomorrow. But I did sign a petition urging the Senate to pass the bill as soon as possible. Will you add your voice by signing the petition today?

Sign the petition.

My grandchildren are now 11 and 6 years old. Having both kids at home during the pandemic has really raised our expenses, and the cost of living has really exploded while we still have a limited income. Unfortunately, we don’t qualify for any form of public assistance because of our retirement income and the fact that we own our own home. And to try to defray some of the costs of his treatment, we’ve also enrolled our grandson in clinical trials at Emory for sickle cell disease.

One part of the Build Back Better plan that would help my family specifically, is continuing the Child Tax Credit.

When families can get a little extra money, it’s going to help them do more for their kids. For us, $250 per child would help offset our high utility bill and help cover food. It gives a leg up so that folks can work on coming out of poverty — to be comfortable, not just survive.

The Child Tax Credit is scheduled to expire at the end of this year, but Congress can extend it by passing Build Back Better. Extending the expanded Child Tax Credit for a couple of years will help people across the country become middle class citizens, and get them back on their feet, especially after the pandemic.

That’s why the Senate needs to pass the bill NOW — so our families don’t miss out on the benefits of the Child Tax Credit, or any of the incredible caregiving provisions included in the bill.

Will you join me to demand that Congress take action now to pass Build Back Better?

Sign the petition today.

With care,

Dr. Connie Kitchens, Grandma and Care Fellow
Caring Across Generations

PS — Want to watch the Grandmas Unite rally LIVE from Washington DC tomorrow? It’ll be livestreamed on Facebook, and you can RSVP to this event on Facebook to get a reminder when we go live!