Foster grandparents recognized for vital role
Shirley Rambo looks on as she helps one of her students focus on his work. Rambo was recognized for her volunteered hours and effort in participating in the Foster Grandparent program.
Franklin County Probate Judge Barry Moore, the Franklin County Commissioners along with Franklin County Schools Superintendent Gary Williams participated in County Day of Recognition for National Service which promotes counties that are turning to national service and volunteerism as a cost effective strategy to address challenges at a time of fiscal constraints.
Ten Foster Grandparent Program volunteers help mentor and tutor special needs children throughout the Franklin County School System. These volunteers work one-on-one with assigned special or exceptional needs children daily with class work and help them reach their academic goals.
There is a total of 79 seniors who participate in the Foster Grandparent program in Franklin, Colbert, Marion, Lauderdale, and Winston counties in Alabama and of that total 10 serve in the Franklin County school system.
During 2014 volunteers with the program provided over 14,000 hours of mentoring and tutoring to students with special and exceptional needs in Franklin County.
Volunteers in Franklin County currently include:
Martha Oliver and Eva Rickard at Belgreen School, Peggy Benn and Eva Duncan at Red Bay, Edna Jean Potter, Shirley Rambo, and Linda Smith at East Franklin Junior High, Dessie Taylor at Tharptown, and Lennis Reams and Martha Taylor at Vina.
Shirley Rambo was recognized as the Foster Grandparent of the year and said she loves the program.
“I started when my grandson was in kindergarten,” Rambo said. “I volunteered and joined the program and enjoyed it so much I’ve been doing it ever since.
“I get so much enjoyment from seeing their little light bulbs go on when we’ve finally gotten it,” Rambo said. “It is a real pleasure to work with the kids.”
Franklin County Commissioner Rayburn Massey said he is glad to see a program like this in place.
“I think this is a great resource for the students and the county,” Massey said. “I can visualize the effect that these volunteers have on the students.”
East Franklin Junior High School Principal, Nancy Hallman, said the students love the volunteers.
“A lot of the students just gravitate to the foster grandparents,” Hallman said. “It is really great to see them in the classroom connecting with the students.
“Some students would fall by the wayside if they didn’t get the one-on-one attention from the volunteers,” Hallman said. “The volunteers, the students and the teachers all see it as beneficial.”
The Foster Grandparent Program , which began in 1965, provides loving and experienced tutors and mentors to children and youth with special needs. Working one-on-one and serving between 15 and 40 hours a week, Foster Grandparents provide support in schools, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, and childcare centers. Among other activities, they review schoolwork, reinforce values, teach parenting skills to young parents, and care for premature infants and children with disabilities. Foster Grandparents often maintain an ongoing, intensive relationship with the children and youth served for a year or longer. Eligibility: Volunteers must be 55 years of age or over. Those who meet certain income guidelines receive a small stipend. All FGP volunteers receive accident and liability insurance and meals while on duty, reimbursement for transportation, and monthly training.
