Proud granny figures
ST. MARTINVILLE — Grandmothers who have a special place in their heart for children, a love for the community and want to give back. That’s all that Foster Grandparent Program Director Dolores Broussard said is required to become a “maw maw” to students around the Teche Area.
The Early Learning Center in St. Martinville is home to 18 “maw maws,” all who have signed on as volunteers through the Foster Grandparent Program an extension of Lafayette’s Council on Aging.
Broussard said she needs more willing grandparents and school sites in Iberia and St. Mary parishes to help keep momentum going and help spread the love and attention that this particular group of ladies have become known for.
“They set the standard for what a volunteer should do,” Broussard said.
“You can see into their hearts by just looking at them. You can tell that they love the children, love interacting with them, each other and the staff. They’re called Maw Maw’s here at school and in the community.” she said.
Principal Jessica Landry said the program has been a part of ELC for 15 years and the grandparents have become a valued and reliable resource to the classroom.
“They’re amazing. We have a foster grandparent for every teacher in Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade,” Landry said.
“They help us with tutoring, enrichment remediation. They do pullouts. They help us with developing our kindergarten students with their social and emotional development,which is the focus we concentrate on in that age group.”
Stella Simon said she has been with the Foster grandparent program for three years. With three children and no grandkids of her own, she loves the fact there are youngsters somewhere looking up to her as a granny figure.
“It’s wonderful to interact with the kids,” Simon said.
“I love getting up in the morning and I can come here and have all these kids call me “maw maw,” she said with a smile..
Zana Fontenette said she feels the same way.
“Yesterday I missed because I had a meeting and they asked the teacher, where’s ‘maw maw?’ They missed me,” Fontenette said.
Hugs and smiles are a common sight in the ELC Hallways as foster grandparents assist in classroom exchanges, bathroom breaks and, even, classroom instruction.
“I love kids and I love doing things with them and helping them out,” Foster grandparent Earline Williams said.
She also admits her own grandchildren sometimes get a little jealous.
Broussard said the loss of SMILE HeadStart centers around the area has increased the need for more sites to invite grandparents.
“There are two sites in St. Martinville, Catahoula Elementary and ELC. In New Iberia we have Caneview, Johnston-Hopkins and Sugarland.” Broussard said. “Right now I don’t have any in St. Mary and we are looking to work with Jeanerette Elementary next school year.”
Foster grandparents are given a small stipend that Broussard said amounts to about $300 a month. Volunteers have to go through a 20-hour orientation and receive a once a month professional development training. They also are paid for mileage.
Anyone needing to find out more information on how to become a foster grandparent can contact Dolores Broussard at 337-262-5990 or email her at dolores@lafcoa.org.