Volunteer programs put seniors to work

     By Chris Jones
     View staff writer
      Seniors are making a difference in the lives of pupils at Thomas Elementary thanks in large part to a pair of successful volunteer programs.
      Operating under the umbrella of the Corporation for National Service, the programs -- Foster Grandparents and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, or RSVP -- have given dozens of older residents a chance to pass on their skills to pupils from kindergarten through fifth grade.
      Maria Dent, manager of the RSVP program sponsored locally by Catholic Charities, said in addition to helping the pupils, her program has been a benefit for seniors.
      "Volunteers are now given a chance to really feel they're making a contribution," Dent said. "They can see how they make a difference directly to a person who has that need."
      Dent said volunteers work with more than 100 agencies in Las Vegas, where they try to adapt to work within a group's specific needs.
      Her group elected to assist pupils at Thomas, along with two other Clark County schools, based on the pupil's low reading scores. She hopes to expand the program as the manpower becomes available.
      "This is a 12-month school, so we need more volunteers," Dent said. "We hope to have five grandparents here before long. There are a lot of transient kids who come in and out.
      "There are also a lot of English Language Learners here, so the need for volunteers is very real."
      Volunteers typically come into the school for two to four hours a day, once or twice each week.
      Dent said her volunteers will work with the same children during their visits to enable them to build a relationship and monitor the pupil's progress.
      Working alongside the volunteers at Thomas are members of the Foster Grandparents program, which is sponsored by the Economic Opportunity Board and requires its volunteers to meet specific income criteria.
      The Foster Grandparent program is open to people ages 60 and older. Participants receive orientation training, a stipend of $2.55 an hour and a travel allowance.
      Their activities range from simple conversations with children to teaching crafts, letter writing or tutoring.
      "The Foster Grandparent program has been in Las Vegas for 28 years," said Judith A. Rothstein, who oversees the program locally. "We've had close to 5 million hours of service provided in schools, day-care facilities, Child Haven and other similar agencies throughout Clark County."
      Rothstein said the organization currently has two volunteers working at Thomas and hopes to increase that number by year's end. Dent and Rothstein would like to see the program expand to other schools throughout the district.
      "We're recruiting volunteers for other schools," Dent said. "It's great satisfaction, not only teaching a child to read, but building on their self esteem. A lot of times it's just a matter of making the kids feel good and then their reading takes off. The children feel that there's someone who really cares for them."
      Officials at the school are grateful for the assistance provided by the seniors.
      "You truly can't measure the help that these volunteers bring to this school," said Kay Worwood, a reading specialist at Thomas Elementary. "The kids come here early because they love the attention and they love the help."
      The volunteers are also happy to be of assistance.
      "If you think of what's ahead for these kids, it's what's ahead for us also," said Foster Grandparents volunteer Marie Prego. "Everybody should be conscious of these children because they are our future. If you give them a chance, they'll brighten up and do really well. I feel like they're my children."
      Seniors interested in volunteering can call 382-0721, or Foster Grandparents at 647-1515.