Foster Grandparent Program featured by KSN News

Story courtesy of KSN

Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program offers children and grandparents a special bond outside of traditional families. For Kim Ross and Donna Blea, the program is special.

Ross works with students at Dodge Elementary who call her grandma. She provides students with encouragement.

“The kids just flock to you, or you’re walking down the halls. Good morning Grandma Kim, good morning or where have you been? I missed you.”

Grandparents assist in schools and shelters

Ross has worked for nine years as a foster grandparent. The grandparents work in schools and shelters across Sedgwick County, helping children learn.

“They will tell you if something is going on with them. They may not have a grandma. They’ll tell you I don’t have a grandma. I don’t have a grandpa, or my grandma died, and then, they have you. That’s a blessing,” Ross said.

The grandparents help foster an unlimited source of love.

“They have somebody to come in and know they love them unconditionally just because they’re a child,” Donna Blea.

The job gives these grandparents a purpose. “It’s this great thing that I get to do every day. Makes me get out of bed, get dressed and take good care of myself,” Blea said. 

“I believe this is the plan that God had for me,” Ross said.

The program is open to people 55 and older and gives a stipend. Catholic Charities is hoping to hire 25 more grandparents.

The Foster Grandparent Program at Catholic Charities is funded by Americorps Seniors and in-kind assistance from volunteer stations where foster grandparents serve through the communities in Sedgwick County.