To the youngsters at Jonathon’s Place, a temporary home for children of recovering drug addicts, neighborhood resident Leah Willis is simply known as “Grandma.”
Four hours a day, five days a week, Willis cares for a selected child, providing much-needed love and nurturing.
“She’s wonderful,” says Lisa Cunningham, volunteer coordinator at Jonathon’s Place.
“She truly gets attached to the babies and makes them hers.”
Willis is one of 90 volunteers age 60 and up who participate in the Foster Grandparent Program, a service of the Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas.
“I am a foster grandparent, not a real grandparent,” says Willis, who has participated in the program for the past seven years.
“I have to keep remembering that so I don’t have the tendency to follow them (the children) when they leave.”
“You can implant love into them that they may or may not have had, and to me, that’s important.”
Begun locally in 1981, Foster Grandparents provide love, care and support to needy children at more than 15 sites throughout the City. Volunteers are given a stipend of $2.45 an hour, which is not considered income and has no effect on other benefits volunteers may receive.
“The program benefits both the seniors and the children,” says program director Janice Moore.
“For the senior, it lessens isolation and lets them meet other people.
“And children benefit by having someone interact with them on a one-to-one basis.”
Volunteers are given 40 hours of training before being placed at a volunteer site, and are provided five additional hours of in-service training each month.
“They really love being able to provide service to the community,” Moore says.
“They are able to provide love and consistency to children in need on a daily basis.”
For more information, call Janice Moore at 214-823-5700.
NEWS & NOTES
Ridgewood Park AARP: The Ridgewood Park Chapter of AARP will meet Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church, 6445 E. Lovers. The program will feature the kindergarten class of the Ridgewood Park United Methodist Church Day School. Lunch will be served; cost is $1.50 each. Everyone is welcome to attend the program. The chapter’s community service project consists of donations to the Wilkinson Center in the way of food, clothing or cash. For information, call Dorthea Sooby at 214-827-6678.
C.C. Young Retirement Community: C.C. Young, 4829 W. Lawther, recently announced the start of construction for its new Adult Day Services Complex. The new community-based facility will allow at-home caregivers an option to leave home for work or other activities. The program provides social and health services, along with activities. Opening in January 1998, the complex will provide programming and facilities to serve up to 45 adults and will include a dining area, indoor and outdoor activity areas, bathing facilities, examination rooms and space for physical and occupational therapy. For information, call Ted Gephardt, Jr. at 214-827-8080.
