Oktoberfest helps support North Shore Senior Center’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program. The program was initiated in 1998 due to a growing population of grandparents raising their grandchildren and lack of community support to serve the needs of these low-income families. With no geographical restrictions, the program provides emotional support, education, training, respite, financial counseling/assistance and case management services. Currently, 33 active grandparents and 77 grandchildren, ranging from newborns to 18 years of age, are involved in the program and attend monthly support group meetings at the Levy Senior Center in Evanston.