Grandmother and grandson share how local GSU program changed their lives

June 20th, 2023

From left to right: Chris Fulton and his maternal grandmother Terryln Fulton. On Monday’s edition of “Closer Look,” The Fultons talked about how Project Healthy Grandparents, a free community service research project at Georgia State University, changed their lives. (Courtesy of the Fultons)

Terryln Fulton says her grandson was a “good, amazing kid.”

She was put in a position of having to raise Chris Fulton and his siblings after they moved from Chicago to Atlanta in 1996. Terryln says her daughter struggled with addiction and was unable to care for her children, so she stepped in to help raise them.

During that transitional period, the family said they faced unique challenges—and needed resources.

The Fultons’ story mirrors stories of families across Georgia.

According to U.S. Census data, more than seven million grandparents are leading their households. In Georgia, more than 258,000 grandparents are leading their households – nearly half of which are still in the workforce.

This kind of family dynamic has been on the rise over the past 40 years.

On Monday’s edition of “Closer Look” the Fultons and Dr. Patricia Lawrence, the director Project Healthy Grandparents at Georgia State University, talked with show host Rose Scott about how the project aims to empower local grandparent-led households.

The Fultons, who participated in the project when it first launched more than 20 years ago, talked about the profound impact the project has had on their lives.