"The existence of forgetting has never been proved: We only know that some things don't come to mind when we want them." Friedrich Nietzsche penned this quote, but anyone who has surpassed even his 40^th year on earth will likely agree that some things are just not brought to mind as quickly anymore. That's why women invented scrapbooks.

The Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP) is helping kids keep their memories alive by offering scrapbooking sessions concurrent with the monthly adult support groups. RAPP exists to let grandparents and relatives know that they are not alone. Problems that we encounter in everyday life can, and do, affect our families. More and more today, parents are unable to care for their children. Grandparents and other relatives frequently take on that responsibility in an effort to help. RAPP aims to assisting relative caregivers to navigate through this wonderful, yet challenging, time in their lives. "Scrapbooking offers the opportunity for children to put all of their current and previous memories together in one place, so that when things change in their lives, they can take the scrapbook with them, and it's something they'll always have to help remember their childhood," says Bridgette Ballard, activity director for RAPP. Trace Vaughn, RAPP coordinator, says, "Often these children are moved from place to place, being able to take very few possessions with them. We work with their families to help collect and arrange photographs they can take wherever they may go. It's healing in a number of ways, and it gives them an opportunity to express themselves artistically."

The Family Resource Center, in partnership with Gordon County Schools, offers these monthly program meetings at Ashworth Middle School on every third Thursday. The next meeting will be on October 18^th at 7:00 P.M. RAPP meetings include support groups, educational programs, and social groups for relative caregivers. Meetings are conducted by trained professionals. In addition, caregivers will be offered group recreational activities on a quarterly basis. The basic curriculum for the groups is the Cornell University Extension Services "Parenting the Second Time Around."

Family Resource Center director, Carol Vedrody, says of the RAPP program, "We recognize that many of the children in Gordon County are living in non-traditional families and being raised by grandparents and other relative caregivers. We want to offer this program to assist both the relative parents and the children they are raising. It's a great concept, and we invite anyone who wishes to participate to give it a try." For more information, call (706) 625-3311.