Foster Grandparent Program Partners with BBBS of Central Minnesota

(KNSI) – Catholic Charities has started a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota to help extend the reach of its Foster Grandparent program. Area supervisor Sara Heurung says people 55 and older volunteer in daycares and schools and serve as mentors and helpers for kids. Through Big Brothers Big Sisters, the volunteers also serve as “big grands” for those kids.

“Our volunteers go in there and they mentor and work with kids in a positive way,” Heurung said. “They may help them with reading or math. With our younger kiddos, they are just there as mentors; they’ll read them a book, they play with them, they’re that positive go-to person in their classroom settings.

“Our partnership with [BBBS] is having our foster grandparent volunteers who are currently volunteering in their programs, whether they’re in a school, childcare setting, no matter where they’re at, to come in and be a ‘grand big,’ Heuring continued. “What that means is they’ll work with kids about one hour every two weeks in their school setting.”

Heuring shared the perspective of one Grandpa, Dennis, who is partnered with a Foley Elementary School student. As a “grand big,” he gets to mentor the student in school.

The program, which has been around since 1965, had to adjust during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some foster grandparents have been meeting with their kids virtually and using flashcards to help them study.

“They do their sight words or math facts and sometimes just visiting with the student,” she said.

Heurung says the program is looking for volunteers who can start mentoring this summer or in the upcoming school year, and potential volunteers age 55 and up can reach her at sheurung@ccstcloud.org or 320-229-4589 for more information.

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