Nonprofit empowers children through ‘Classroom Grandparent’ program
Summary
The St. Petersburg resident spends more than 60 hours each month volunteering, working with children and mentoring students.She adds so much to the lessons, whether its social studies, math or reading. She brings her wisdom and her background to help expand the kids knowledge of whatever the topic is that were teaching about, said Laurie Herson, a second grade teacher at Bear Creek Elementary. She keeps the kids grounded and has the same high expectations for them as I do.Robin Ingles, President and CEO of Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay, said the nonprofit engages more than 1,500 volunteers across a broad spectrum of community initiatives throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco Counties each year.Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg Foundation, in partnership with Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital, recently awarded the nonprofit a nearly $250,000 grant to expand its Foster Grandparent Program, which supports mental health and wellness for BIPOC K-5 grade youth struggling at school. Its a real solution to a lot of our societal problems, to get more elders involved.The army of volunteers also receives continuing education from Seniors in Service, including trauma-informed training, classroom teaching strategies and instruction on mentoring neurodivergent children. Not only does the program make a positive impact on the education experience of young learners, but it also bridges the generational gap, creating meaningful connections that nurture learning and self-esteem in the next generation.Anyone can go out and get paid to do a job that you hate, said Burnett.