Contact: Jon Hirst, Christian Grandparenting Network, 719-362-5235, jhirst@dotheword.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jan. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- According to a recent study done by Northern Illinois University, children from ages two to five in low income homes who are being raised by a grandmother see a gap in reading achievement. With more than 2.4 million children being raised by a grandparent, according to the US Census Bureau, this means that there are hundreds of thousands of grandparents struggling to help children achieve.

Many children end up in the care of grandparents because of family crisis or tragedy. According to the Illinois Department on Aging, these could include the death of a parent, divorce, alcohol or drug abuse or even a parent's incarceration in prison.

Cavin Harper, founder of Christian Grandparenting Network says, "For the most part, this gap in reading achievement isn't the grandparent's fault. Grandparents need to be resourced, and that is what CGN does. It is an incredible challenge to raise grandchildren, especially after they have gone through some sort of tragedy. We need to be helping them do the best job possible."

CGN offers grandparents the tools to become heroes, mentors, and even spiritual leaders to their grandchildren. In addition to GrandCamps where grandparents and grandchildren go to camp together, CGN also offers an e-devotional, Carry the Torch, offered to grandparents free of charge. Weekly, grandparents can find tips, articles, and ongoing guidance on how to best invest in the life of a grandchild. Interested individuals can learn more about GrandCamps and sign up for the newsletter, Carry the Torch at www.christiangrandparenting.net. To discover more about CGN or find additional ways to build the grandparent-grandchild bond, call Cavin Harper at (719) 522-1404.