by Analisa Herndon
Special to The Leaven
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — As the old saying goes, it is better to give than to receive.
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas’ Foster Grandparent Program senior volunteers get the joy of experiencing both.
For 50 years, this AmeriCorps Seniors federally funded program has enabled older adults to serve the community by helping children in Wyandotte County with special or exceptional needs.
Catholic Charities first launched the program in 1976 with 91 volunteers serving at 31 sites. Grandparents served only two children at a time, ages 0-5.
Throughout the years, the ministry has evolved from volunteers providing only supervision and care to children at sites including local community centers, nurseries and hospitals, to Foster Grandparent participants having a more active role in school classrooms, serving as mentors, tutors and role models.
Most volunteers are tenured, with more than a dozen serving for a decade or longer.
“We are so lucky that we’ve had Foster Grandparents in our school,” said Kelli Roehr, Project Eagle Educare director, a year-round early education program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. “[They] form relationships with the kids, the families and the teachers in our classroom.
“We have lots of kiddos who are wanting attention, and our grandparents are just an extra layer of support and care.”
Teachers have recounted improved academic engagement, higher grades and a noticeable difference in social and emotional skills in classrooms where there is a Foster Grandparent present.
“When I miss a day of work, the babies notice I was absent,” said Joyce Herring, a Foster Grandparent volunteer.
“When I return the next day and walk in the classroom, their eyes light up like Christmas trees — and they have this dance they do — and I feel so loved by them. And I feel they missed seeing their ‘Grandma.’ And I missed their little faces, too.”
Foster Grandparents report feeling less symptoms of depression, anxiety and loneliness.
“[This program] gives [seniors] that sense of purpose. It makes their lives better. I’ve had several grandparents come up to me, and tell me how much this program feels like a calling to them, how it makes them feel like they still have purpose in their life and how they have wisdom to share with the kids in our community,” said Abigail Jenkins, Foster Grandparent Program director.
The program recently honored participants with a 50th anniversary celebration.
Catholic Charities president and CEO Lauren Solidum remarked how, “for five decades, [Foster Grandparent Program volunteers] have changed lives — one hug, one high-five, one listening ear and one lesson at a time.”
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Last fiscal year, 53 Foster Grandparent Program volunteers served nearly 50,000 volunteer hours and mentored 376 Wyandotte County youth.
The program hopes to recruit even more seniors in the coming years to make a life-changing impact on at-risk children.
To participate, volunteers must be 55 years or older, pass a background check, attend trainings and be willing to serve between 15-40 hours a week mentoring children in the Kansas City, Kansas, Public School District.
Based on income eligibility requirements, Foster Grandparents receive a small tax-free stipend for their volunteer time. They also are reimbursed for travel.
To learn more and get involved, visit: click here.
