"Each month, 72-year-old Sandra Bursch withdraws $4,200 from her retirement savings to cover her bills. A chunk of it goes toward paying college bills — for her grandson Gage. She anticipates doing the same for Gage’s younger brother, Mason, when he graduates from high school in another year.
Every stitch of their clothing, all of their meals and day-to-day expenses have been her responsibility since 2003, when drug use by her daughter and son-in-law prompted the police to remove the children from their home.
‘My biggest concern is I won’t be here long enough to see them finish their education,’ said Bursch, who lives in the Tujunga area of Los Angeles. ‘I’m using all of the money I have to raise the boys. That’s all I care about now, that the kids grow up, finish school and that they’re okay.’" …