AfterSchool Team Training

AFTER SCHOOL GRANDS TEAM TRAINING

Foster Grandparents who volunteer with children in
after-school programs throughout the community
now participate in a one-hour training series twice
each month. The series is designed to provide
resources for Grandparents and to provide an
opportunity for dialogue between Grandparents on
the unique challenges encountered while working
with kids in after-school settings. The Foster
Grandparents who receive this special training will
comprise a team that will work with children in after-
school programs like ESTEEM, the Boys & Girls Club,
and the YMCA throughout Central Florida.

Mary Burdell, a Foster Grandparent placed at the
WOWS after-school program, is just one of many
Grandparents participating in this team initiative.
After arriving at WOWS last year, Ms. Burdell took
on the challenge of teaching the kids basic skills.
"What amazed me", said Ms. Burdell, "is that the
majority of the kids didn't know basic things like how
to tie their shoes or how to count to 10, and some
didn't even know their own names. It's been hard
work, but the after-school training lets me talk to
the other Grandparents about how to make the work
easier."

Making Grandparents work easier is the purpose of
the After-School Team Training series. For additional
information on this program, please contact Jane
Watkins, Assistant Director, 407.298.4180.