A program for senior volunteers is impacting lives in the classroom

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Community Action of Southern Kentucky is connecting senior volunteers with students in nonprofit childcare settings through the Foster Grandparents Program.

This unique program is bringing lots of smiles to the classroom and leaving an impact on student’s lives.

Director of the Foster Grandparent Program, Krista Graves, says, “The grandparents are able to nurture, and mentor students who may have special or exceptional needs, who may need some social development, or language development, or just need some extra hugs.”

Having the presence of a foster grandparent in the classroom helps students improve with the interaction, support, and wisdom that grandparents bring.

Bailey Luster, a lead teacher at Little Scholars Head Start, has had the same grandparent in her classroom for years. Luster says, “Grandpa brings a lot of help and assistance in the classroom. The kids treat him like a grandpa. When they are in trouble, they run to Grandpa; when they need help, they run to Grandpa; and if they need extra cuddles, they run to Grandpa. He is a real deal grandpa.”

The Foster Grandparents Program allows grandparents to assist not only in the lives of the students but teachers as well, by serving the needs of the classroom and participating in everyday activities. Luster says, “We may not see something that Grandpa sees. Grandpa is like, “Hey this doesn’t look right,” and we’re able to tap into it. He is like an extra pair of eyes, that can assist us in making sure we’re meeting everybody’s needs in the classroom.”

This program is a great way to mentor students and give them an extra grandparent figure, and additionally a way for those looking to find joy in their grandchildren.

One of the many foster grandparents at Little Scholars Head Start, Sarah Brown, is a great example. When asked about the program, Brown says, “It gives me something to look forward to, I love it and I enjoy being in it. And it gives me something, like sometimes when you feel down and out, you come here and you’re with the kids, and they just lift you up.”

The next round of training for new Foster Grandparent volunteers is October 30th, and more information can be found at the Community Action of Southern Kentucky’s website, at casoky.org