Director's Message
GrandPals March 2006GrandPals March 2006
Have you been missing grandkids? Telling yourself you were going to do some volunteer work, but haven’t made a connection? We would like to encourage you to think about working with the GrandPals Program. The GrandPals program began in 1997, matching older adult volunteers with Kindergarten students at Littlebrook School to read together, build friendships and share a delight in reading and the worlds that are revealed. Since then, the program expanded to include assisting in classrooms at Community Park School. For a few years, E-Pals matched fourth graders at Johnson Park with seniors, with the children serving as teachers. Most recently, we worked with the new pre-school program at Johnson Park. Volunteers met with the children to share their passions for poetry, drama, and drumming. The GrandPals Program is directed by Patty DeRuosi, who came to us with extensive experience and training in special education at the elementary level. She is gifted in making this a successful experience for both the adults and the children.
We have two new exciting opportunities for 2006. Riverside School has invited us to replicate the Littlebrook School program. Volunteers are needed who will be paired with one or two kindergarten children. The school librarian and Patty help volunteers select books that are appropriate for each child. The time passes quickly while the partners read or do other quiet activities together. For many participants, the relationship fills a niche left by distant or absent grandparents/children. It is best when volunteers can attend weekly for the remainder of the school year.
The second opportunity will be hosted by Johnson Park School. Older adults are sought to do brief presentations to parents on various topics using their wisdom and experience. Parents want to parent well, but generally don’t have resources to help them know what to do when faced with a parenting challenge. We are seeking people who would be interested in presenting on topics such as: reading with your kindergartener, dealing with peer pressure, identifying your child’s gifts. Each session would include a half-hour presentation and a half-hour for discussion. You could volunteer for a single topic or several.
Numerous studies have illustrated the value of civic engagement in retirement. An intergenerational program such as GrandPals provides opportunities to interact with children, to have a window on their world, and to catch their enthusiasm for life, new learning and adventure. One current volunteer has shared how participation has given him a sense of value and making a contribution that he never had in his professional life. Many can’t resist talking with great pride about the growth they have observed in the child they work with, both academically and socially. Another volunteer was touched by the recognition of the role she played for a child whose home life was unstable, just by being there reliably every week. Call Patty at if you would like to help! Susan W. Hoskins LCSW |
Previous MessagesJune 2013 - Age Friendly Communities June 2013 - Age Friendly Communities May 2013 - Navigating a Changing HealthCare Landscape March 2013 - Navigating Life’s Transitions February 2013 - Partners in Caring Princeton January 2013 - Men as Caregivers December 2012 - The Safety Net October 2012 - Documenting Your History September 2012 - A Journey of Transformation July - August 2012 - Gratitude & Moving March 2012 - Patient-centered Care February 2012 - Can you Spare an Hour? January 2012 - Challenges & Opportunities December - Are you Prepared for Emergencies? October - Chocolate for Memory September- Looking Back and Looking Forward Lessons and Legacies, March 2011 Independent Living February 2011 Witness to my Life December 2010 Elections, benefits and open enrollment November 2010 Strategic Planning September 2010 Hiring Home Care December 2009 Annual Giving by Sharon Naeole November 2009 Flu Pandemic 2009 October 2009 Healthy Memory, Healthy Mind September 2009 A Personal Perspective on Caregiving July/August 2009 Wei Ji: Crisis, Danger and Opportunity April 2009 Write your own obituary March 2009 Hope and Vision in Challenging Times Medicare Changes 2008: Take A Look! December 2008 Scams, Frauds and Rip-offs November 2008 Engaged Retirement: Beyond Financial Planning October 2008 September 2008 Caregiver Dilemmas Finding Rhythm and Purpose July/August 2008 V + OA = ER (Volunteering + Older Americans=Engaged Retirement)May 2008 Have You Had the Talk Yet? March 2008 Get Moving with FitRhythms™! February 2008 What Are Social Services? November 2007 Plan for the Future September 2007 The Up-side of Aging Summer 2007 National Conference on Aging: Let's ReThink Aging April 2007 Season of Giving December 2006 April Hill McElroy October 2006 Civic Engagement September 2006 White House Conference on Aging May 2006 Are You Prepared? October 2005 Watch Your Language September 2005 The End of the Journey May 2005 New Dietary Guidelines February 2005 Civic Engagement with GrandPals October 2004 The Challenge of Giving Care May 2004 Seniors On The Move April 2004 Random Acts of Kindness December 2003 Civic Engagement November 2003 |