At the age of 10, Cory didn’t know how to read. He came to a Berrien County school for the first time to register in the fall. It was the first time in his life he had ever been enrolled in a school. He couldn’t write, or tell you the sounds the letters of the alphabet made.
A Foster grandparent was immediately assigned to help him try and catch up and become more comfortable in the school setting. The Foster Grandparent program supported by you, United Way and Area Agency on aging provides senior citizens who serve 20 hours each week for a small stipend. The program gives the grandparent a stronger purpose and gives the children a caring adult who is ready to listen and help.
Working with Cory took patience, understanding and a great deal of time – time that a single teacher could not have taken away from the rest of the class.It was January, only four months after he stepped foot into the school, when Cory brought a book to the principal and asked, “Can I read this to you?” The principal put her papers away and listened as Cory carefully pronounced the words and read and understood the book.
Both the teacher and the principal credit the love, teaching and patience of the Foster Grandparent for helping him learn to read in only four months.
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