Stories of Service

Foster Grandparents are so much more than volunteers in a school system, they are love.

Grandma Dixie Earl

Foster Grandparents - Calhoun County, Battle Creek

Many grandparents simply start as unpaid volunteers in the schools because of the love they have for our children. While others who want to volunteer cannot because they need part-time jobs to make ends meet. This stipend money gives many of the grandparents the opportunity to share their wisdom and have help. Without this money they would not be able to afford the raises in utility bills, their transportation costs, their rent/mortgage, or food. Many things have changed throughout the generations. I ask you to think back to when you were a child. Can you recall the various family members (ie; grandmas, mothers, aunts, etc.) who participated in your classroom? They were there to help us with schoolwork, they helped us when we were having a bad day and just needed to cry, they were that comforting hand when we fell and scraped our knee, they were there to tell us congratulations when we finally got a 100% on that math test, they were there to help us carry our lunches when we were injured, and they were there to stop us from making behavior mistakes. In most communities such as ours, we don’t have parents who can do this anymore due to financial needs forcing one or both parents to work full-time jobs. Who has taken their place? You got it… The Foster Grandparent Program. When I first moved to Michigan five years ago from West Virginia, it was a complete culture shock for my children. When they started school my son was labeled with a speech problem in Kindergarten and assigned a grandma. This grandma stayed with him through his current grade even though he is not an assigned child to the grandmother. This Grandma was such a blessing to my son in means that she was able to bring him out of his shy side and discover that he didn’t in fact have a speech issue, he was just that, shy! Now my son is in fourth grade at the same school and flourishing thanks to his “Grandma Dixie”. He has seen his “Grandma Dixie” at grocery stores, community/school functions, and she always has a smile and warm hug for him. On holidays his “Grandma Dixie” always receives a card or present because he considers her an important part of his life. While my daughter has never been assigned a FGP, she has encountered the grandparents in her classroom and through her brother. The FGP’s have shown her just as much attention when she has needed it throughout her school time. My son’s “Grandma Dixie” also greets my daughter with the same smile, enthusiasm, and hug as she does my son. These Foster Grandparents are so much more than volunteers in a school system, they are love. Sincerely, Stephanie Thacker Proud Parent of a FGP Recipient