Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program is a success!

I recently made a trip out to Riverview Intermediate School in Sartell to capture a photo of the new designated parking sign for our Foster Grandparents. Social Worker, Connie Connor said, “My Grandma’s deserve it.”

Myrna and Penny are volunteers with Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program. They both average about 20 hours of service each week.

They work 1 on 1 with students on math and reading. They work with many students from multiple classrooms around the building. Connie stated that in addition to tutoring they provide, "Extra attention to students that could use an extra adult in their lives."

On my recent visit, Grandma Penny was listening to children read to her, helping them with difficult words, and reminding them to pause at punctuations, or slow down when they were excited about what they were reading. She greeted each child with a masked smile and a sincere greeting, and sent them back to the classroom with praise at a job well done.

I headed down the hall to find Grandma Myrna. I spotted her in an empty classroom working with a student on multiplication flashcards. The student struggled with some of the larger numbers, but Myrna talked him right through the difficulties by simplifying the problem and encouraging him of his knowledge.

Connie mentioned how invested both Penny and Myrna are in the students they work with. Myrna comes up with creative ways to work on math, and brings in her own flashcards and books to work with the students. A few years back, Grandma Penny had a replica of her cane made for a young student who used a wheelchair, because every time he passed her, he stopped her to admire her cane. Connie stated, “Penny and Myrna bring so much joy to the students at RIS and the students bring joy to them! This has been one of the best programs for kids in the years that I have been a school social worker.”

About Catholic Charities Central MN Foster Grandparent Program

Adults aged 55 and over receive an hourly tax-free stipend ($3/hour) for volunteering to help children with activities, reinforce learning, assist with art projects, and more, for as little as 5 hours a week. This is a great opportunity if you love to be with children, could use some extra non-taxable income and would like some hugs.

For more information, call Sara Heurung at 320-229-4589 or toll-free at 1-866-895-7992. You can also email for more information: SHeurung@ccstcloud.org.