Foster Grandparents Rock!

Foster Grandparents Rock!

PEACE, Inc. recently honored its AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent volunteers at the annual program recognition luncheon. Honor was given to 70 volunteers for their committed service and dedication to the children of our community. Special recognition was given to 13 foster grandparents celebrating 10 years in Foster Grandparent.

Of special note were 2 volunteers who have each given 15 years of service:

Brenda Bradforth is friendly, outgoing, and always has a kind word to share with students at Bellevue Elementary School. This fashionista grandma excels at helping students develop math and reading skills and can easily be spotted, sharply dressed and color coordinated in the classroom, surrounded by adoring first graders!

Bill Zimmer’s quiet, caring presence has helped the 3rd graders at McKinley-Brighton Elementary develop social-emotional, literacy, and math skills. He loves a good comic strip, and uses the funny pages to help children build reading confidence and practice their fluency.

Throughout the luncheon, we were reminded of the powerful quote: “The rock that is an obstacle in the path of one person, becomes the stepping stone in the path of another.” To all foster grandparents – thank you for being that ever-present, sturdy stepping stone for the children you serve in our community’s elementary schools and Head Start centers. You are setting a great example and a fantastic foundation for our next generation!

Foster Grandparents Receive Grant Support

Foster Grandparents Receive Grant Support

A huge thank you to the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County for awarding a $3,000 grant to PEACE, Inc.’s Foster Grandparent Program! With this generous support, AmeriCorps Seniors volunteering in Syracuse City Schools and Head Start/Early Head Start Classrooms will receive specialized early childhood literacy training — empowering them to make an even greater impact on young learners’ lives. This is but one wonderful example of our Seniors imparting wisdom while continuing their own lifelong learning. It’s a win for everyone involved!

If you’re interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent, visit us right here.

Foster Grandparent Program visited the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

Foster Grandparent Program visited the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

The foster grandparents toured the historic site, including Tubman’s residence and the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, established to care for elderly freed persons.

We learned that Harriet was guided by deep faith and devotion to family, freedom, and community.

As a conductor on the Underground Railroad, she moved herself and her family members from slavery to Auburn, where she continued to fight for human rights, abolition, and women’s suffrage during her 50 years in Central New York.

Dialogues with the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents

Dialogues with the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents

The Community Engagement team had great dialogues with the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents this week.

These conversations were follow-up ones from February, when the team spoke with Seniors about their needs and incorporated their responses into the agency’s Community Needs Assessment.

The team shared its findings and continued to listen to the Seniors’ concerns around housing, their neighborhoods, and the general direction of the community. Thank you all!

AmeriCorps Seniors FGP recently visited SU’s Special Collection Research Center

AmeriCorps Seniors FGP recently visited SU’s Special Collection Research Center

Our AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program recently visited Syracuse University’s Special Collection Research Center at Bird Library to view: “A Love Supreme: Black Cultural Expression and Political Activism of the 1960s and 1970s”.

The exhibition was co-curated by Caroline and Jessica, both Ph.D. candidates at SU and raised in Syracuse, NY. The smiles in the photo show the immediate connection made between these bright scholars and our wise senior citizens.

Our AmeriCorps Seniors FGP recently held a Master-PEACEs painting party

Our AmeriCorps Seniors FGP recently held a Master-PEACEs painting party

Our AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program recently held a Master-PEACEs painting party.

FGP’s resident artist and Coordinator, Jenn Gaffney, guided the fun – encouraging the foster grandparents to be creative with sunsets or sunrises over the skyline of our city. Can you identify the iconic buildings of Syracuse??

This was a fun activity for our seniors and informative- stressing art’s importance. Art is a process, not a product – it encourages creativity and self-expression while developing cognitive and physical skills.

AmeriCorps Senior – Foster Grandparent Program makes a remarkable difference

AmeriCorps Senior – Foster Grandparent Program makes a remarkable difference

Their presence ensures that special needs children receive additional individualized support, encouragement and companionship. By providing a stable, loving presence in a young person’s life, Foster Grandparents are building bridges between the younger and older generations.

In improving the lives of the children they serve, Foster Grandparents are profoundly improving their own lives. While remaining active and contributing to their communities, Foster Grandparents experience improved health, welfare and quality of life.

Despite the pandemic, 96% of AmeriCorps Senior-Foster Grandparent Program participants reported improved mental and emotional health.

For more information, visit: www.peace-caa.org/fostergrandparent/

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