Mobius, the Mentoring Movement recognized mentors from Chittenden County Mentoring Programs on January 22nd at Contois Auditorium in Burlington. Foster Grandparent Veronica Cardinal was among those recognized.

Foster Grandparent Veronica Cardinal (center) with JFK Elementary School

Veronica has been a Foster Grandparent at JFK Elementary School in Winooski for more than eight years. She spends over 20 hours each week volunteering in Barb Crandall’s art class where she uses her special talents to support and encourage students as they learn and grow. Her teacher says that “Grandma takes the time and effort to work one-on-one with the students who need the help the most. Veronica scouts the classroom with her ‘eagle eyes’ and picks out the student who needs help – the one who is too shy or behind to speak out. She will sit next to them and guide him or her through the art making process so that they feel more confident and successful.” Since classes rotate every 40 minutes – Grandma stays very busy!

Grandma Vern seems to know just how to motivate each student to give anything a try, to use techniques that they are not familiar with, and to have fun in the process. Her talents shine through whenever she is working with a student who does not speak English. Through the magic of art, she finds a way to include them in the learning process and connect them with their new surroundings. When they succeed and are so excited at what they have done, Grandma is also there to share a hug and let them know that she is proud of them.

Foster Grandparents (from left) Dee Howe, Maggie Rutledge, Veronica Cardinal, Lee Liakakes and Louise Dawson at Mobius Mentor Recognition.

In promoting mentoring in our community, Mobius the Mentoring Movement provides research that proves young people who have mentors in their lives are more likely to stay in school, aspire to and achieve better grades, go on to college, and become more trusting and communicative. They are less likely to skip school, smoke carry a weapon, or engage in violent acts.

Veronica’s constant encouragement inspires students to try harder and her genuine belief in them shows them that they matter. Many students who have moved on to middle school still seek out Veronica to tell her about their successes as well as their struggles.

Mentoring is all about leaving a positive, lasting impression with the person you are mentoring. That’s what Veronica does every single day at JFK Elementary – for many, many children!

Source URL: Bridging the Generations, March 2009 Foster Grandparents’ Newsletter
http://www.unitedwaycc.org/index.php?page=70

[1] www.unitedwaycc.org
[2] www.mobiusmentors.org
[3] www.winooski.k12.vt.us/schools/jfk/index.html

Tags: Awards, foster grandparent program, Mentoring, Mobius, National Mentoring Month 2009, united way, Volunteering