en español

PREVIOUS NEWSLETTERS>

SPRING 2002

FALL 2001

"We Have A Great Granny-She Makes Sure Her Job Is Done" By Dr. Girvan Shirley, Senior Volunteer Coordinator "My Foster Grandparent is Granny Bing. She decorates our classroom. She helps our teacher. She likes to stay late to help. She makes sure her job is done," says Earnest. Earnest, an Eccleston Elementary fourth-grader, speaks eloquently for his classmates and hundreds of other children in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties where school is anything but traditional except in its role as a bastion for drilling the three Rs - reading, writing and arithmetic. Increasingly, school has become the home away from home, assuming more and more of the responsibilities once considered exclusive preserves of the nuclear family. A striking feature of this growing phenomenon is the presence of "Grandma" and "Grandpa" in the classroom working hand in hand with the teacher to nurture and educate young minds such as Earnests. "I love Grandma," proclaims Earnest, echoing a sentiment expressed by just about every child who comes in contact with a Foster Grandparent. Invariably, each kid has a ready explanation for the generous flow of affection. "They (grandparents) seem like they are our real Grandparents, because they care for us and help us," states 11-year-old Devante of the Pine Hills Boys & Girls Club. Thirteen year old Ben, also of Pine Hills Boys & Girls, further explains, "Since some people don't have Grandparents, they act like Grandparents for people." "I call her Granny because she's like a real Grandmom to me," 10-year-old Clovis states. "She does a lot of stuff like making pretty things to put in our class and she brings goodies for us on Friday." The Eccleston Elementary student expresses the deep appreciation felt by other youngsters who've come to associate the Foster Grandparent with — among other things — the hardworking, kind-hearted homemaker specializing in the arts of decorating, cooking and, of course, giving. "Grandma Robinson brings us cookies and candy for Easter and Halloween," a Mollie Ray Elementary first-grader tells us. He notes, however, that Grandma's goodies often come with a heavy price tag, "You have to do your work and act right." Kids of different ages also speak unabashedly of the tenderness and affection — the hugs, the kisses, the encouragement and the likes—that invariably accompany Grandma's homemade delights. "Granny Bear (Blair) tell me how I'm pretty, and I shouldn't cry," explains 5-year-old Kim of Pine Hills Head Start. Describing Grandma Johnnie Mae Williams, 10-year-old Antonio of Southwest Boys & Girls Club aptly summarizes the children's view of the "caring Grandparent" they've come to expect at the schools and other facilities they utilize on a daily basis, "She always makes sure that you are alright. She doesn't yell at me." But for many kids, Foster Grandparents are much more than a faithful conduit for treats, hugs and sweet talk. They instinctively perceive Grandma or Grandpa as an authority figure, a role model, a teacher or a sage to whom they turn for guidance or direction. "Grandma Johnnie, according to 13-year-old Chantel, "takes care of the little kids and steers them to right from wrong." Eleven year old Bryan, like most other children, relies as well on the Foster Grandparents "to make kids follow the rules," especially in the game room where waiting and taking turns are critical to success. Children are also generally impressed with Grandparents who are punctual and reliable, as implied by 6-year-old Kasey of Washington Shores Elementary School. "I love Grandma (Johnnie Mae Comer) because she comes to school every day." In like manner, 12-year-old Stacee of Pine Hills Boys & Girls Club boasts that "They're (Foster Grandparents) there when I need them. They help me do better on my reading; they help me do better in school." Others praise the Grandparents for helping with homework, spelling, Spanish or just about anything you can think of. There are kids, for example, who beam with satisfaction recounting the joy they feel in having a Foster Grandparent "just to talk to, or joke around with." According to 10-year-old Shay, Grandpa Paramore "is funny and likes to play with you". Still, there are those, the more introspective who focus mainly on the intangible values passed on to them by their part-time surrogates. A common thread running through Grandma's Training Manual, the lessons promoting acceptable social behavior, prove to be a welcome addition to the life experience of many of these impressionable children. "The Grandparents have a good attitude," Ben notes. Eight year old Mollie Ray student Christopher also raves about how "Grandma teaches us to say 'good morning' and to say 'excuse me, please'". The perception of Foster Grandparents as role models, authority-figures and boundary setters is so strongly reflected in the view of Eccleston fourth-grader, Jamal. "She (Granny Bing) makes sure that we don't talk loud." Jamal, like most of his peers, expects Grandma to carry a big stick without striking a single blow in order to maintain some semblance of order and structure in an environment with potential for chaos and personal injury. "She makes sure that we aren't in trouble," Jamal concludes. Of all the accolades showered on the Grandparents by their young admiring fans, none captures the heartfelt emotions better than the glowing tribute offered by Stacee. "They are the sweetest people I have ever found for caring and sharing. They should be world renown; I think I want to stay with them forever." Kinship Care: A Program For Grandparents Raising Grandchildren According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are currently 2.1 million children in the United States being raised solely by their grandparents. These grandparents are serving as a safety net to keep children out of the foster care system. Grandparents raising their grandchildren face many obstacles that biological parents do not encounter. These obstacles include the inability to place the children on their health insurance policies, to obtain affordable housing in which they can live with the children and to enroll the children in school. The stress of caring for young children, accompanied by their own health difficulties, can be overwhelming for many older grandparents and relatives, resulting in a variety of stress-related illnesses. Also, difficult family situations that often characterize the children's transition to the relatives' care can create emotional problems for the children as well as the caregivers. The need for programs and services for relative caregivers and the children in their care vary as much as the individual families. There is no one solution or response that will "fix" the problems and enable the families to live healthier lives. The Foster Grandparent Program of Central Florida has developed a Kinship Care Program aimed at assisting grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The program has an array of services available to these grandparents. These include an Informational Manual to assist the caregiver in developing a care plan for the child, in obtaining necessary information, in contacting organizations and in obtaining services within the community; individual counseling to assist the caregivers' needs and to assist in identifying areas of need; referrals to help in identifying and contacting available services in the community; and support groups that provide an opportunity to meet with other grandparents raising their grandchildren, have peer discussions, learn from each other and develop friendships. Consider A Memorial Gift A memorial gift to the Foster Grandparent Program of Central Florida is a loving and lasting tribute. Remembering a deceased relative or friend helps to serve the living and less fortunate seniors the Foster Grandparent Program serves. Memorial gifts can be made by sending your check to: Foster Grandparent Program, 7400 Laurel Hill Oaks Circle, Orlando, FL 32818. Kudos And Awards Oree Johnson, Chairman of the Foster Grandparent Program Advisory Council, proudly accepted the program's 20th Walt Disney Community Service Award at the Disney community service awards breakfast and ceremony held on October 2, 2002. Along with a beautiful trophy, the program received a check for $3,000. The Orange County Health & Family Services Department Community Action Board and Head Start Policy Council presented the Foster Grandparent Program with their Community Partner of the Year Award at the annual scholarship and awards dinner held on October 25, 2002. Pictured is Program Director, Ann E. Smith, accepting the award. A plaque was received from Seminole County Public Schools commending the program for participation in the Partners in Excellence Program, a collaboration of business, community and education to enrich the lives of their students.

[HOME] [VOLUNTEER] [SEARCH] [CONTACT US] [PRIVACY POLICY]