September 20, 2016

Foster grandparents head back to school

The fall is an exciting time for both young and old. It is a time for falling leaves, new beginnings, and the return of a school year!

It is not just the kids who are eager to open new books and sharpen fresh pencils— it’s also the Reading Partners foster grandparents who are excited to step back into school buildings and help shape the minds of young readers.

As foster grandma, Jan Mayer, put it when asked back in August, “I am looking forward to working with the children again because I love reading and I love when I see the lightbulb go on when the children learn something new!” Jan has since started her second year as a foster grandma with Reading Partners at Trevista Elementary.

Reading Partners foster grandparents are senior citizens in the community who want to make a difference in the lives of young students through in-class tutoring and mentoring. The program is run through Volunteers of America and requires that each foster grandparent spend a minimum of 15 hours per week working with kids in need.

This year, Reading Partners Colorado is lucky to have seven foster grandparents (four returning for their second year) working to support literacy growth across seven partner school sites. Collectively, these grandparents will contribute over 90 hours of tutoring each week! Bringing their positive influence and joy of reading to +50 students in Colorado.

Here’s to another year of fun, books, and learning with foster grandparents!