Foster grandparenting: A labor of love

Although retirement is often viewed as a point in one's life when activity ends, many seniors search for new reasons to wake up every day.

However, a group of volunteers with the local Foster Grandparent Program say they have found that reason.

Lori Redican, or grandma to the students she works with at Wooster Elementary School, said she has loved staying busy during retirement.

Faydene Malone, right, and Ruthie Belcher, second from left,watch as Foster Grandparent Program Director, Sharon Mohammed, left, gives angel pins to Evelyn Graham, and Lorie Redican during the program's training day on Thursday. Redican, Graham, Malone and Belcher, have all been awarded with the pins for going above and beyond what is expected of the grandparents. LIBERTY PARKS PHOTO

"This is my seventh year to be a foster grandparent, and I have enjoyed it tremendously," Redican said during a training session Thursday. "I get just as many hugs out of it as I give them."

According to Sharon Mohammed, program administrator, seniors are matched with students with special needs, in either a day care, a public school or a community center setting.

"We are looking for seniors who have the abilities and talents to work with kids who need help in certain areas, including academic and social issues," Mohammed said.

The foster grandparent system is a state-wide program, and 47 seniors serve Faulkner County. Mohammed said she encourages more people to join because it's a way to give back to the community.

"Grandparents are often not present because of death or distance and this program helps fill a void for many kids," Mohammed said.

She also said the biggest gain seniors get from the program is the essential sense of feeling needed.

"They get the urge to still be valued met and they also get a sense of accomplishment when they can watch their kids grow and develop skills needed to have a prosperous experience in life," Mohammed said.

As for the students, Mohammed said what they gain from the one-on-one experience with foster grandparents is priceless, as they are able to build a special friendship.

Evelyn Graham, who serves as a foster grandparent, said the bond that is built is just as important to her as it is to the kids.

"The best thing about the kids is that they will never, ever forget you," Graham said. "It doesn't matter if you are in Walmart or Kroger, that kid will come up to you and say, 'Hi grandma!' without even thinking about it. "

Graham added the special relationship also gives foster grandparents a little more insight into what is going on at home.

"We can spot some things maybe a teacher overlooks since we are spending time with individual students," Graham said. "We can tell when something is wrong and a lot of times they will talk to us about it before they talk to anyone else."

Foster grandparent Faydene Malone said though she is still married and does not have an excess amount of time on her hands, she continues to find time to make a difference in students' lives.

"My favorite thing about the program is how much all the students want to have time with us, not just the ones we work with," Malone said. "They don't understand why they all can't go and it is viewed as a privilege to spend time with us."

Ruthie Belcher spends her time with a little younger age group, with kids ranging in age from six months to four years. She said it is a thrill to walk into her site each day and see their faces.

"Dealing with my babies each day, I tell them that I have that young life again," Belcher said. "I love it when they want to sit on my lap, give me hugs and ask me for high fives."

Although most seniors in the program are given a small tax-free stipend, this is not why they continue to give their time.

"Everyone who is a foster grandparent here can tell you that no one does it for the money," Mohammed said. "Each of their commitments come from the heart."

Redican, Graham, Malone and Belcher, who were all recently awarded for going above and beyond what is expected, happily agreed.

For more information on the program, call the office at 852-8422.