For over four decades, Raleigh’s seniors have been bridging the gap between generations inside classrooms, nurturing young minds with patience and wisdom. The Foster Grandparent Program celebrates 42 years of bringing together elders and students in a symbiotic exchange of knowledge and compassion. Volunteers like Alice Singley, despite having left school years ago, can be found lending her experience to kids for a few days each week. "When something comes up and I'm able to shine light on a particular subject, it's just great!" Singley said in an interview with the City of Raleigh.
These Foster Grandparents, according to the City of Raleigh, offer not only academic aid in reading and other subjects, but provide emotional support to children needing that extra bit of attention. With a love that runs deep, volunteers including Yvette Daniel-Cheston enter classrooms eager to make a difference. "That love from the young people makes me want to go and help them out," Daniel-Cheston explained, "And so, my heart goes in deeper to help them."
Teachers like Sonya Mitchiner have witnessed the enduring bonds formed, noting that the Foster Grandparents become fixtures in children's lives, offering continuity and reassurance. "I still have kids come back to not just me, but to see grandma," Mitchiner reminisced, "Because she was there when they weren’t having a great day." Educators across the board acknowledge the profound influence these seniors have in crafting a positive and nurturing learning environment, as per the City of Raleigh.
It is not only the students who benefit from this arrangement. Carolyn Blaylock observes the reciprocal nature of the program, energizing the seniors while granting young ones the affection they seek. "With the older generation, it gives them more energy. And with the younger generation they can find the love they've been looking for," Blaylock articulated, in a sentiment resonating with the value of intergenerational connection. Meanwhile, school administrators like Principal Cejuan Morgan express gratitude for the municipal support, highlighting the city's role in facilitating these vital community interactions. "The City has been really supportive and helpful in setting it up and finding great fits for our school," Morgan said in a statement obtained by the City of Raleigh.
