Newsletter 1

FOSTER GRANDPARENTS-NOT YOUR TYPICAL ROCKING
CHAIR GRANNIES

By Dr. Girvan Shirley, Volunteer Coordinator

While this characterization rings true for many seniors,
others have bucked the stereotypical role of the rocking-
chair granny by leaving the comfort of their homes each
day to venture into their communities in search of
something more meaningful to spice up their lives and in so
doing bring joy to others as well. For the most part, these
adventurous seniors consciously end up in places you may
find hard to imagine — Boys & Girls Clubs, Head Start
programs, shelters for troubled teens and so on — places
buzzing with the sounds of children craving the attention
of anyone with the time to spare.

Driven by maternal instinct, these senior volunteers —
mostly women — respond wholeheartedly, raining showers
of positive vibrations on children whose home
environments often lack this vital ingredient, except in a
purely materialistic sense. For Foster Grandparents,
teaching the fundamentals of communication, self-esteem
and personal responsibility forms an integral part of their
mission and, for the most part, resonates with the
youngsters who welcome them each day with the innocent
sweetness of their voices screaming, "Grandma!" or
"Grandpa!".

Grandparents no doubt relish the attention, but more so
see it as a validation of their effort to try and improve the
quality of life for their disadvantaged clientele. Whether
it's by tying shoestrings, singing lullabies or providing
direction, the Foster Grandparent functions much like an
anchor for the wandering child who, left to its own device,
would likely keep on drifting and eventually end up by the
wayside. It is precisely for this reason that we like to
think of the FG volunteer as an extra pair of loving hands
at the disposal of a special-needs child.

For many of our Grandparents, however, the rocking or
the nurturing routine forms only part of their involvement
with the children they choose to serve. In fact, these
seniors often find themselves wearing hats generally
reserved for family members and professionals —
counselors, social workers, teachers, etc. — who for
various reasons might not be available on demand to meet
a child's need. Case in point: Juanita Williams, who works
with third-graders at Washington Shores Elementary
School, represents a growing number of Foster
Grandparents who assume the role of motivator on a
mission to help kids grasp the value of education. "I didn't
have the chance to get a good education," Ms. Williams
explained, "so I'm gonna do anything I can to encourage
kids to do well in school." Similarly, Maria Diaz — a bilingual
Foster Grandparent serving at Lancaster Elementary
—takes pride in communicating this message to children in
their native tongue. "It makes a big difference when you
talk with them in the language they know best," Ms. Diaz
stated.

In addition to motivating her Spanish-speaking students,
Abuelita Maria, as she's affectionately called, joins a long
list of other Grandparents who serve as mentors as well
—those utilizing their expertise to teach the fundamentals
of reading, writing, arithmetic and other valuable life
skills, and in the process, winning high praise for their
overall effectiveness. Dorothy Perry, a Foster
Grandparent at Eccleston Elementary, is a prime example;
the quality and value of her contribution is best reflected
in her newfound reputation as the "reading-specialist
granny" everyone mistakes for a real teacher. Ms. Perry,
like Jeneave Hollins at Apopka's Dream Lake Elementary or
Rosa Lee Turner of Pine Hills Head Start, represents a
dedicated band of FG volunteers who provide one-on-one
instruction to slow learners on a daily basis.

Described by Pine Hills center manager, Aida Ayala, as a
"natural in the classroom," Ms. Turner helps students with
phonics awareness, handwriting and math. "She handles
herself like a professional teacher," Ayala added. Like her
colleagues, however, Turner is quick to tell you that what
she does is not a big deal; though she often beams with
excitement recounting the personal satisfaction she gets
from serving. "I love children, and I just want to help in
whatever way I can," she explained.

This spirit of reaching out is by no means confined to
volunteers at Head Start and elementary schools. At the
Southwest Boys & Girls Club for example, Howard Paramore
provides an apt illustration. Undeterred by a physical
disability, Mr. Paramore —like fellow

Club volunteers in the tri-county area — maintains an
impeccable attendance record, explaining his commitment
as a labor of love. "I really enjoy working with the kids," he
said. " I look forward to going in every day." Betty
McKinney, Director of the Southwest Boys & Girls Club,
described Paramore as "a joy to have; he's very actively
involved with the children," McKinney added.

Worlds apart from the hustle and bustle of the Boys & Girls
Clubs are the sedate special-education classrooms for the
severely challenged where you'll find the Foster
Grandparents in action as well. Whether it's at Magnolia
School in Orlando or Lake Mary High School in Sanford,
Grandparents assist students with various tasks ranging
from basic survival skills such as feeding and personal
hygiene to activities including reading and confidence
building. Estella Peterson, who works with 18-21 year olds
at Lake Mary High, admits she had no intention of serving
this population when she first entered the Foster
Grandparent Program. "Now I just love it; I can't wait to
get there in the mornings for the warmth and inspiration
they (the students) bring to me."

All in all, the program attracts an array of volunteers with
a variety of skills and interests tailored to meet the
physical, emotional and academic needs of a growing
number of children whose survival largely depends on the
generosity or goodwill of outsiders. From the Foster
Grandparent who sings the lullabies and teaches right from
wrong to those who impart knowledge and promote
thinking, each contributes an invaluable gift to our effort
in improving young lives in our service area —Orange,
Seminole and Osceola counties. As one Grandparent puts
it: "I know I can't help everybody, but I'm sure gonna try
to do my best to make a difference for at least one child."

30th ANNIVERSARY RECOGNITION LUNCEHON A SUCCESS

Our 30th Anniversary Luncheon Recognition Luncheon,
held on Firday, May 10th, 2002 at the Sheraton Orlando
North in Maitland to honor our 267 Foster Grandparent
Volunteers was a huge success. Rod Johnson, News
Anchor, Channel 12 was Master of Ceremonies.

Thirty-five community leaders hosted tables set up for our
Grandparents. The community leaders included
representatives from the offices of Congresswoman
Corrine Brown, Chairman Richard Crotty and Senator Bill
Nelson, as well as representatives from the Orange and
Seminole County School Boards, Orange County Head Start,
Orange County Citizens' Commission for Children, Orange
County Commission on Aging, Orlando Regional Healthcare
System, Greenberg Taurig, PA, Corporation for National
Service, Drug Free Community Office and Lockheed
Martin.

Orange County Commissioner Robert Sindler read a
proclamation from Orange County in honor of our 30th
Anniversary. Proclamations were received from Governor
Jeb Bush and the City of Orlando as well.

Jane Watkins, Assistant Director, presented the Family
Support and Visitation Center, operated by Devereux
Florida, with the "Volunteer Site of the Year" award,
presented each year to one of our outstanding volunteer
sites.

Oree Johnson, Chairman, Foster Grandparent Program
Advisory Council presented plaques to Foster
Grandparents who have served special needs children for
10 and 15 years. Foster Grandparents Joseph Crittenden,
Mae Etta Duncan, Annie Ruth Eaton, Amanda Files, Hilda
Hayden, Carrie Holland, Susie Johnson, Lillian Lawson, Effie
Love, Dorothy Manning and Viola Smith were honored for
10 years of service. Those honored for 15 years of service
were Florence Bagley, Willie Mae Barfield, Idella Sykes and
Sarah White.

2002-2003 FUNDING

Corporation For National Service

$835,738

Heart Of Florida United Way

$65,495

Orange County

$32,250

Winter Park Neighborhood Center For Families

$10,500

Orange County Head Start

$15,000