Stories of Service

Connecting through Computers

Sally Brooks

Foster Grandparents - Antrim County

Sally has been volunteering with the programs since 2018. She was the first Foster Grandparent at her school. Sally has gone above and beyond through the years with serving students. She started a Friendship Club at lunch time. Where she had a table and kids that didn’t have friends or were left out would eat lunch together with Sally and they would also play games and go for walks together in the hallways. Lifting the children’s spirits and self esteem along the way. When the pandemic started it changed how we could serve in some of our schools.

Sally was able to connect virtually with her classroom and offer mentoring and support through video calls. Sally shared “When I am online with the kids, we are either working on counting to 120 or reading from a book. We both have the same book, so they read to me and I help them sound out words.” Sally is also offering that consistent intergenerational relationship. The students can continue to connect and count on Sally. Central Lake Elementary where Sally serves has been able to have her back full time and when school has to quarantine or such, Sally get’s back on her laptop and joins class virtually. Sally makes a difference in the lives of children in her community!