Enriching the lives of seniors and students through the Foster Grandparent Program

“It’s a win-win situation,” said Kathryn Gutierrez, coordinator of the Foster Grandparent Program in Valencia County. “It benefits both the foster grandparent and the students, socially and as well as educationally.”

The FGP is a federally-funded volunteer program for older adults who wish to work with children in their communities. Participants serve as mentors and tutors for children in elementary school classrooms and head start programs. They especially assist students with special needs or other circumstances deemed necessary.

The FGP is a nation-wide program and there is now a program established in every county in New Mexico. Gutierrez said the program based in Los Lunas was the first FGP program to be established in New Mexico.

“It began as a national demonstration project in 1965 here at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School,” she said. “In 1998, after 33 years of the training school being open, it closed, and all of the individuals were placed out in the community. That is how we ended up in the schools.”

Currently, local foster grandparents assist at four schools within the Los Lunas Schools district, two within the Belen Consolidated Schools district and at Adelino Early Childhood Development Center.

“They offer a sense of comfort, a sense of community and they provide that comfort to these children, and I think that’s really important,” said Gutierrez. “They play big roles in shaping these little individuals and helping to educate them.”

Foster grandparents can provide anywhere from 10-40 hours of weekly service. An added benefit is that foster grandparents receive an hourly stipend of $4 an hour and they build their own schedule, deciding what days they want to volunteer and for how long.

Meals are provided and, if needed, transportation can also be arranged to pick up foster grandparents and drop them off.

“They’re assigned to a classroom and they’ll stay in that classroom for the whole year, and oftentimes they go back to that same school and to the same teacher,” said Gutierrez.

The day-to-day duties of a FGP vary and are based on what the teacher decides is needed. This can take the form of assisting and guiding students in need with their assignments, reading to students and generally providing a helping hand and friendly presence in the classroom.

Students light up when they see their foster grandparent, said Gutierrez, and they are also cherished by parents and the teachers they aid. The impact they have on the well-being and education of students is well known, but Gutierrez emphasized that foster grandparents themselves also benefit greatly from the program and many of them find a lot of fulfillment through their role.

“At that age, oftentimes they’re alone, so I think it’s just that sense of community and being a part of something,” said Gutierrez. “They feel like they are welcome and that they’re needed. They will definitely be the first to tell you that they don’t do it for money. Those small checks, they’re nice, but they also get to be part of something that they enjoy. They love kids, and I feel like it keeps them healthy and active.”

Foster grandparent Willie Ortega, who volunteers at Raymond Gabaldon Elementary in Los Lunas, agrees that she loves her role and she always looks forward to coming in.

“I’m so happy when I come; I have no complaints,” said Ortega. “A lot of jobs you kind of dread and stuff, but not this one. I’m excited to get up, I’m excited to come and I just love it. The teachers are so nice and everyone treats you good.”

Ortega has been a part of the program for several years and one can tell just from a brief visit to the classroom how adored by the students she is and vice versa.

“I like helping the kids. They’re happy to see me, and I’m happy to see them — that’s my favorite part,” she said.

Foster grandparent Antonio Apodoca who has been volunteering at RGE for 15 years, mainly in fourth-grade classrooms, said he enjoys how much he learns from the kids.

“I enjoy working with the students; It’s been a great experience,” he said.

Lita Aragon, also a foster grandparent at RGE, said “it’s interesting and (the students) tell me a lot of things. Staying at home all day can get a little too boring sometimes, so it’s nice to get out a little bit in the morning and help kids.”

Ortega, Apodoca and Aragon said they would all recommend the program to other older adults. They also shared that they form lasting relationships through the program and students remember the impact they’ve had on their lives.

“I see them in the store and stuff and they’ll run up and say hi to me,” said Ortega. “A couple weeks ago, I saw one of the kids in my gym. He’s in his 20s, all grown up already, and he remembered me and he gave me a big hug.”

“Sometimes I see a lot of them have gone on to graduate high school and have gone to college and they send me graduation cards,” Aragon recalled. “It’s so nice to see that they remember you.”

Gutierrez said the foster grandparents also form friendships amongst each other and with the program leaders, demonstrating just how impactful the program is in so many people’s lives.

“They’re full of wisdom and stories,” said Gutierrez. “It’s a wonderful thing seeing how close we become to them, and how important they become to us.”

Since the pandemic, the number of foster grandparent volunteers has significantly decreased, especially since they had to pause the program during that time, so if you are an older adult that is patient and loves children, Gutierrez said they would love for you to apply.

“I think that it can be their calling, if they just give it a try,” she said.

Gutierrez said the program is a low-income based program that one would need to qualify for, but beyond that, one just has to be 55 and older and pass the program’s background checks to join. No prior experience in a school setting is needed, as training will be provided. She also noted that the supplemental income is tax free and does not affect Social Security, Medicaid or housing benefits.

“It’s really endearing to witness,” she said. “They feel important, they feel wanted and know that they belong somewhere.”

To learn more about the Foster Grandparent Program, call 505-866-6313 or 505-866-6302. You can also visit them at 1000 Main St. NW, in building 3.