“Grandparents who tutor the students have a great deal of patience,” says Sandy Bowers, specialist for the Foster Grandparent Program. “That patience goes a long way toward helping young children stay motivated to keep up their reading skills over the summer.”
For the students and their coaches, the relaxed atmosphere of a summer camp makes the learning a little easier. This summer will be the third year that Foster Grandparents have served as tutors. “The first year, we didn’t know what to expect,” said Bowers. “But the experience was so rewarding that every tutor wanted to come back the following year.”
During the academic year, Foster Grandparents work with students in Ypsilanti elementary and middle schools, as well as in Ann Arbor elementary schools and preschools. The program, which started in Washtenaw County in 1968, has over 60 members who are 55 or older and commit to volunteering for 20 hours a week. Each volunteer receives a small stipend.
This year’s summer programs will be held at:
- West Willow: New Covenant Church, 2345 Tyler Rd., Ypsilanti
- Sugarbrook Neighborhood: Grace Fellowship Church, 1301 S. Harris Road, Ypsilanti
Superior Township: Christian Love Fellowship Church, 1601 Stamford Rd., Superior Township