For those struggling to get visitation rights to see their grandchildren, a Newport Beach nonprofit is providing support and guidance through difficult court and parental situations.
Advocates for Grandparent Grandchild Connection educate grandparents on communication principles to apply in situations with the parents or caregivers to “help them maintain that loving close relationship with a grandchild,” according to Susan Hoffman, the organization’s founder and director.
Hoffman founded the organization in 2006 after she was not allowed to see her grandson. Her grandson was adopted by a stepparent, who denied her visitation rights.
The adoption by a stepparent assumes them all rights and responsibilities of a biological parent, including deciding who can or can’t visit the child.
Hoffman put out advertisements to form support groups for other grandparents struggling to see their grandchildren. From there it grew into a national, charitable non-profit supporting and educating grandparents.
Hoffman pursued a court order to see her grandson but was denied because California law does not include a stipulation for grandparents to petition the court for visitation of their grandchild after their grandchild has been adopted by a new stepparent.
But that changed in 2007 when Assemblyman Van Tran’s Assembly Bill 2517—sponsored by Hoffman—was signed into law, allowing grandparents visitation rights via a court order if it is in the best interest of the child.
Hoffman, who now resides in Newport Beach, released a book, among several others, in 2020 titled “Grand Distance” for grandparents in the face of a block to visitation rights with grandchildren.
Regarding “Grand Distance” Hoffman said, “when grandparents find themselves suddenly forbidden to see their beloved grandchild, following the emotional upheaval, they have choices about how they will cope and what they will do to stay close to the child.”
According to the organization’s website, funds provide aid to “those most vulnerable in our community” through ongoing support groups, education, books, and films.
More recently, the City of Newport Beach granted Advocates for Grandparent Grandchild Connection $1,000 on June 14. It is the second grant they have received from the city in the past few years.
Hoffman said the grant would positively impact 465 to 530 residents in the program, 55 percent of which are Newport Beach residents.
