In classrooms across Franklin County, something extraordinary is happening every day: older adults, many of whom live on limited incomes, are stepping into schools as foster grandparents — and in doing so, they are shaping a better future for everyone.
At first glance, the Foster Grandparent Program is a simple idea: pair low-income seniors with elementary and Head Start students to offer tutoring, mentorship and companionship. But its true power lies in its dual mission and far-reaching impact. It helps children thrive academically and emotionally, and it offers seniors the chance to stay engaged, supplement their income and find purpose beyond their own challenges.
Every week, foster grandparents visit schools to work one-on-one with students who teachers identify as needing extra help in reading, math or social skills. But the effect extends beyond academic support. Foster grandparents also model kindness, perseverance and life skills — lessons that can’t be measured by test scores alone.
A single intervention can change a life and a family
One powerful example shows how a seemingly small act can create a ripple of hope. Celia, a foster grandparent with three years of experience, noticed that her third-grade student, Jasmyn, began falling behind. Once an eager learner, Jasmyn stopped doing homework, struggled to stay awake in class, and her reading progress stalled.
Because of her foster grandparent training, Celia knew to look beyond academics. With gentle questions, Celia learned that Jasmyn’s family had lost electricity in their apartment and were sleeping on the kitchen floor, using the gas stove for heat. Exhausted and without space to study, Jasmyn simply couldn’t keep up.
Celia quickly shared what she learned with the teacher, school administration and Catholic Social Services. Together, they mobilized support — working with the utility company and community partners to restore power and help stabilize the family’s situation.
Without Celia’s intervention, Jasmyn could have continued to slip further behind, possibly labeled as disruptive or disinterested. Instead, Jasmyn got the help she needed to stay on track — a powerful reminder that academic success often depends on meeting basic needs first.
Building equity, resilience and community health
This story is not unique. In Franklin County, about 19,800 seniors live in poverty, and the rate is even higher among African American seniors. The Foster Grandparent Program helps address this inequity by providing a modest stipend to volunteers — most of whom are women and people of color — helping them cover essential expenses.
At the same time, the program strengthens the future for the next generation. Many of the students served come from low-income families and are students of color. Foster grandparents help close opportunity gaps by providing individualized support, encouragement and a caring presence.
Beyond academics, the program also fights social isolation among seniors — a risk factor linked to poor health and early mortality — by giving them meaningful roles where they know they are needed and valued.
Quiet force for systemic change
The Foster Grandparent Program is more than tutoring sessions or warm smiles in hallways. It is a model of community care — where seniors find purpose and stability, students receive the support they need to succeed and schools gain trusted allies to help address deeper challenges.
Through thousands of moments like Celia’s with Jasmyn, the program weaves a stronger safety net for the whole community: a network of hope, resilience and shared responsibility.
By connecting generations, the Foster Grandparent Program doesn’t just change individual stories — it helps create a future where everyone, regardless of age or income, has a chance to thrive.
This article appears in October 19 2025.