'Foster grandparents' mentor children

By Michelle Muellenberg, Journal correspondent | Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Previous Page

Share

• del.icio.us
• Digg
• NewsVine
• Fark

Print

Email

For Lois Larson, joining the Black Hills Foster Grandparent Program gave her a new lease on life after the death of her husband.

“I don’t have an opportunity to get lonesome now. (These children) give you a reason to get up in the morning,” said Larson, who has been with the program for a little more than two years. “It gives you something to look forward to because you know you will be greeted with all these smiling faces.”

Larson, a former public school music teacher, works at the Francis Case Elementary School in Sturgis and has about 100 foster grandkids. She volunteers at the school nearly every day.

“Our purpose is to provide loving encouragement to youngsters who need a little extra care,” Larson said. “I consider this a privilege. It makes me feel like I’m participating in something worthwhile.”

The Black Hills Foster Grandparent Program has existed for about seven years, said Darbi Cram, director of the program. The Black Hills organization incorporated the Pine Ridge program, which has existed for 30 years, she said. The program, which is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, places income-eligible people age 60 and older in settings such as schools, day cares, training centers and after-school programs. The foster grandparents assist children in areas such as literacy, language, cultural practices and cognitive development.

“The children’s special needs are identified by a teacher or someone who works with them,” Cram said. “They may need extra mentoring or some extra social support.”

Currently, the foster grandparents work with elementary and preschool students. However, children up to age 21 can be involved in the program, Cram said.

In 2006, foster grandparents throughout western South Dakota served more than 59,000 hours.

The individualized tutoring, mentoring and nurturing have helped hundreds of struggling children achieve great academic, emotional and social gains.

Cram said the program is a benefit for both the grandparents and the children.

“It invigorates them and gives them something to do when they really need it,” she said of the volunteers. Like Larson, Cram said, some of the grandparent volunteers have just lost a spouse, and the program helps.

According to recent scientific research released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, volunteering increases the health and well-being of people, especially older adults. Data showed older adults who volunteer on a regular basis had lower levels of depression, lived longer and reported better health and higher functioning levels.

“The loving care we give comes back to us in great rewards,” Larson said.

Cram said she also hears many comments from teachers on the influence the grandparents have on the children.

“I love to see their light bulbs go off when they get something,” said Larson. “They are so excited when they do something correctly.”

Della Smith, a volunteer at Youth & Family Services Head Start, said she hopes her interaction with the children will help them for many years to come.

“We hope in time, some of these kids will remember us helping them along the way,” said Smith, who has been volunteering with the program for seven years. “I think some of them will. No matter where I’m at, Wal-Mart or a drug store, you’ll hear them yell, ‘Grandma Della.’ I think some of this will stay with them.”

Smith said she helps out wherever necessary, from sitting down and coloring with the children to helping them brush their teeth.

“I’m busy all day long,” she said.

In addition to the proven health benefits, the program also helps the foster grandparents financially. The volunteers receive a tax-free stipend.

“This gives me a little extra spending money,” Larson said.

The program is in need of more volunteers, Cram said.

“It seems like … mostly due to the health of the individual or the health of family members that our numbers are down,” she said. “We’d like to have our program continue to grow.”

Volunteers are asked to put in a minimum of 15 hours a week, Cram said.

Smith said she has been trying to spread the word of the need for more grandparents.

“We need more men. The kids need a grandfather, too,” she said. “Whatever love you can give them, they need.”

Volunteer as a foster grandparent

More foster grandparents are needed in this area. For more information or to volunteer, call Darbi Cram, director of the Black Hills Foster Grandparent Program, at 1-877-613-4016, or Deb at 745-3408.