World & Nation

Growing up with grandma

Denise Peace of Brooklyn, N.Y., has been taking care of five grandchildren, ages 2 to 17, since her daughter was killed by stray gang gunfire last year.

Denise Peace of Brooklyn, N.Y., has been taking care of five grandchildren, ages 2 to 17, since her daughter was killed by stray gang gunfire last year.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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The number of children being raised by grandparents has continued to grow through the recession and beyond. Denise Peace, a Brooklyn, N.Y., grandmother, is raising five of her deceased daughter’s 12 children.

Grandmother as mother

Denise Peace walks granddaughter Shaniya, 4, home from school. The girl’s mother was walking one of her children back from school herself when she was shot to death last year.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Grandmother as mother

Peace is burning through her savings and getting public assistance -- including food stamps -- to take care of the children. She hopes to return to work part time in the new year.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Grandmother as mother

Neiyma, 2, and sister Saya, 3, eat dinner at the Brooklyn home where they live with their grandmother and three siblings.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Grandmother as mother

Two-year-old Neiyma, the youngest grandchild in Peace¿s care, takes a nap in their Brooklyn apartment.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Grandmother as mother

Peace waits for grandson Raymond, 5, to arrive home from school by bus.  (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Grandmother as mother

Peace and grandson Raymond, 5, return home from his bus stop.   (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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