Foster Grandparents Receive Good Apple Awards

Foster Grandparents Receive Good Apple Awards

As the school year wound down, the Wichita Board of Education honored employees, volunteers and partners with Good Apple awards, including three Foster Grandparents from the Catholic Charities of Wichita program. Foster Grandparents are 55 or older and work 15-40 hours a week at local schools, helping children develop the social and academic skills necessary for success in school.

Earning Good Apple awards were Mazel Davis, Judi Fellers and Serlestine Stone. Each of the Foster Grandparents received high praise from their nominating school:

Grandma Mazel Davis at Gordon Parks Academy

Photo courtesy of USD 259.

“Mazel has been a dedicated and respected Foster Grandma in our kindergarten classes at Gordon Parks Academy for 10 years. She works with small groups, one on one and builds relationships with each student. She is a motivator and encourager!”

Grandma Judi Fellers at Marshall Middle School.

Photo courtesy of USD 259.

“Judi is an asset to Marshall Middle School. She comes into the building with a smile on her face. Respectively known as Grandma to the students, she happily goes into the classroom and assists with every task that is asked of her.”

Grandma Serlestine Stone at Anderson Elementary School

Photo courtesy of USD 259.

“Ms. Stone is devoted to the Anderson Elementary School community. She comes to school with a positive attitude and is ready to get to work. She puts tremendous effort into every interaction she has with a child so they feel valued.”

Teachers and students are not the only ones who benefit from the Foster Grandparent experience. Ninety eight percent of the grandparents say that involvement with the Foster Grandparent program is a key reason that retirement is meaningful and rewarding.

All photos courtesy of USD 259.

Interested in becoming a Foster Grandparent?

Learn more about the program and income stipend you can earn at one of these July informational programs:

July 17 · July 18 · July 31 Sessions at 9 a.m. and noon each day.

Call 316-264-8344, ext. 1211, to register for a session. Seniors 55 and older must attend an information session prior to orientation in August.

Catholic Charities is the local sponsor of the program. The federal Corporation for National and Community Service provides 90 percent of the funding matched by local funds from United Way of the Plains and from Catholic Charities, Inc.