Foster Grandparent Carol Is a Role Model to First Graders at St. Cloud's All Saints Academy

April 5, 2022

Are you interested in mentoring and tutoring children? Serve as an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer in our Foster Grandparent program.



Thank you to Cindy Bautch, who teachers first grade at All Saints Academy, St. Cloud, for sharing this story about Foster Grandparent Carol.

I have been fortunate enough to work with Grandma Carol for the past nine years. In that time she and I have grown very close. I see her not as just a Foster Grandparent volunteer, but a true friend and role model. Grandma Carol is always a professional and comes to school with a positive energy and genuine interest to help all the kiddos in my class succeed to the best of their abilities.

Grandma Carol gives countless extra hours of her time and energy to help make my job so much easier. I could not do all the activities that I plan in a day or week without the help of someone like Grandma Carol. When she is here, she pays full attention to each and every child who comes to sit next to her and work. She asks questions about what’s going on in their life, develops a great rapport, and lets those children know that she is 100 percent there to listen and help them be successful in school.

A perfect example of the report she builds with students is the current relationship she has with Jonathan. Jonathan is making the gains he has because he knows Grandma Carol is there to help him through thick and thin. She keeps him focused, she keeps him on task, she helps him finish work. . . .

I am so thankful that Grandma Carol is in my life and in the lives of all the students that she comes in contact with. She is a true blessing!

Grandma Carol shared that she and Jonathan were working together when Jonathan whispered to her a request: “Can we have a meeting?” Carol replied, “Absolutely. About what?” Jonathan responded, “What did you do this weekend?” Now Jonathan and Carol have weekly meetings to catch up.




The Foster Grandparent Program is always seeking volunteers 55+. If you or someone you know is looking to make a difference in the lives of children, please contact Sara Heurung, Program Director, at 320-229-4587 or sara.heurung@ccstcloud.org.

Our Recent News

Pack the Porches 2026

By Jenna Pettit • March 27, 2026
Catholic Charities is thrilled to announce the success of our 16th Annual Pack the Porches Food and Fund Drive, held on March 27th, 2026.

Meet Nicole from Emergency Services

By Brittany Hoversten • March 5, 2026
If you ask anyone at Emergency Services, they’ll tell you the same thing: Nikki is unstoppable. Every single day, she goes above and beyond for Catholic Charities, our clients, and her team. Nikki is a proud mom of two, and her youngest recently moved out on their own. Life hasn’t always been easy—she lost her children’s father suddenly in 2006, a time she describes as chaotic and life-changing. Today, she’s in a happy relationship and loves spending time at the cabin, traveling, riding motorcycle, and making the yearly trip to Sturgis. Catholic Charities “found” Nikki in a very full-circle way. At the time, she was helping her dad with his job as a grocery vendor—the same stores that donate to Catholic Charities. difference for the community every day. At the end of each night, she lays her head down knowing she helped someone—and that’s what keeps her going. When her dad broke his elbow, Nikki stepped in to help him. Her strong work ethic caught the attention of a Catholic Charities program manager who had grown up with her dad. He saw something special in her and offered her a position. Her first assignment? Driving the Catholic Charities food truck—even though she had never driven a truck before. She remembers being terrified backing down the ramps, but her supervisor simply told her, “Keep it between the yellow lines.” She did—and that moment sparked the confidence that has fueled her ever since. Over the past 13 years, Nikki has worked in nearly every corner of Emergency Services. Nikki originally got pulled into Mardi Gras because her mom is crafty, and she’s been involved ever since. She especially loves the decorating and seeing everything come together. Last year’s event was particularly wild with so many new people, but Nikki’s natural leadership helped bring everyone together to create a fantastic experience. When asked what motivates her, Nikki doesn’t hesitate: positive thinking. “Negative thoughts will never give you a positive life,” she says. She believes positivity is contagious, and her mantra is simple: Do the best you can with what you have, take it one day at a time, and always pay it forward.

Mary’s Journey to Financial Stability

By Brittany Hoversten • January 15, 2026
When Mary reached out to FHC, she was overwhelmed and worried about losing her home. A devoted wife and mother with a strong career, she never expected that sudden health issues would reduce her income and cause her to fall behind on her mortgage. Missing several payments left her feeling vulnerable and unsure of where to turn. Once her health improved and she returned to full-time work, Mary was determined to regain control of her finances. She partnered with a housing counselor who helped her take a clear look at her household budget, identify areas to reduce expenses, and create a realistic plan to address her debt. During the process, Mary shared heartfelt gratitude with her counselor: “I can’t thank you enough for being my voice when I couldn’t advocate for myself and not judging me for my mishaps. I’m thankful Catholic Charities is part of our community and is a blessing for many.” With renewed confidence, Mary contacted her mortgage company to explore available workout options. Because her illness qualified as a hardship, she was eligible for a partial claim. This option allowed her to resume regular mortgage payments while moving the past-due balance to the end of her loan—giving her the breathing room she needed. Today, Mary feels empowered and more intentional about managing her household finances. She has also brought her husband into the budgeting process, realizing she doesn’t have to shoulder everything alone. This experience has strengthened her confidence and set her family on a path toward long-term financial stability.