Seniors Lend Helping Hands

Jamie Pilarczyk

Feb. 18, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- TAMPA -- Dorothy Ford volunteered occasionally at Graham Elementary where her nieces and nephews attended. But she wanted to do more.

"I was sitting at home getting fat, and I thought it was about time I got to doing something," said Ford, 68, who is retired.

Through another volunteer at the school Ford learned of the foster grandparent program. It modestly reimburses volunteers, ranging in age from 60 to 93, who spend at least 20 hours a week helping in school classrooms, Head Start programs and shelters such as The Spring and Child Abuse Council.

"It gives them the financial ability to volunteer," said Nancy McWilliams, Director of Community Relations for Seniors in Service Tampa Bay, which sponsors the program.

The extra help in the classrooms is significant, said Graham Principal Sherry Orr.

"To have another hand will always help. That has to make a difference," Orr said. "With the foster grandparent in the media center, more books are checked out, more are put back on the shelf. They are tutoring and guiding students with online tests. Our school grade has improved, which I attribute to everyone who works with the children."

Harriet Pitt, or rather "Grandma Pitt" as she is known, has been a foster grandparent for a decade. At 84, she stays busy helping students read and assisting the media specialist processing books in the library.

"I enjoy being with the children. I know a lot of them," said Pitt, whose own child is in his 60s.

McWilliams said the number of foster grandparents has decreased slightly, but the need for them has risen sharply. She attributes that need partly to their proven accomplishments in classrooms.

Many volunteers say the work gives them a sense of purpose -- a reason to get up in the morning and get out of the house, she said.

"They are motivated," McWilliams said. "Once they get into it, they love it."

The consistency of the grandparents' schedule provides a stability that many of her students seek and need, said Orr.

"We can rely on them. In our children's lives, they may not have that, but they know Grandma Pitt is going to be here," she said. "They are another role model for our children. They are warm, caring, but structured."

Like Pitt, Ford said her health has improved in the three years since she became a foster grandparent. The daily commitment keeps her mind and body active. Plus, she says, she has a lot of fun.

"Everyone calls me grandma," Ford said. "That's all I want. It's a wonderful experience, and it's very rewarding to me."

GRANDPARENT GUIDELINES

TRAINING: 40 hours in class and on the job

COMMITMENT: 20 hours a week

QUALIFICATIONS: Volunteers must be 60 or older and pass a background check

BENEFITS: About $53 a week; mileage; one meal daily if available at school, otherwise a $1 stipend; insurance; accrued vacation and sick time

CONTACT: Nancy McWilliams at (813) 932-5228, Ext. 224 or nmcwilliams@seniorsinservice.org, or go to www.seniorsinservice.org.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0201-31913081