The Foster Grandparent Program will celebrate its 60th year of service nationwide in September of this year.
The program began in 1965 in order to connect older adults with opportunities to serve in local schools as mentors, tutors, and role models to children and youth.\
Sponsored by Americorps Seniors, the program promotes meaningful intergenerational relationships that benefit both the volunteer and the children and youth they serve.\
The Foster Grandparent Program in this area is sponsored by the De Queen Mena Education Cooperative in Gillham, Ark.
Terry Young serves as director of the program, and Ann Frachiseur is the volunteer coordinator.\ The local program began in 1997 and is 28 years old.
Currently, 70 grandparents serve in 28 different schools in western Arkansas from as far south as Ashdown and as far north as Clarksville.
These grandparents served a total of 65,532 volunteer hours this past year.\
Out of the 398 students they worked with this year, 85% of them showed improvement academically and behaviorally.\
Not only do the students benefit from the extra tutoring and attention, but teachers also benefit by having extra help in the classroom. I
t also gives senior adults a purpose to get up in the morning and feel like they are still making a difference.
Locally, 31 Foster Grandparents serve in Nashville and Mineral Springs Districts at Nashville Pre K, Nashville Primary, Rainbow Learning Center, Mineral Springs Pre K, and Mineral Springs Elementary.
When asked why they want to be a foster grandparent, one grandparent said, “I just love waking up in the morning and knowing that I’m going to see my kids.”
Another said “I just enjoy seeing those smiles, and it warms my heart when they make even the smallest improvement.”
When asking teachers why they appreciate the Foster Grandparent Program, replies include the following: “Students have demonstrated significant progress in their reading skills, particularly in fluency and comprehension.”
“She has brought an extra set of hands, eyes, and lots of love to our classroom.”
“Our foster grandparents help all students in our school, not just ones assigned to them. They are an asset to our teachers and staff on a daily basis.”
The Foster Grandparent Program plays a vital role in addressing community needs including supporting early childhood education and school readiness, providing one on one support to children or youth who need extra academic or emotional support, and combating social isolation and promoting health and well-being among older adults.
As this program marks its 60th Anniversary, Foster Grandparents across the country including right here in Howard County are honoring the legacy of service.
