Foster Grandparent application gives unique mentoring opportunities for senior citizens

Xavier D'Souza, almost ninety, sits surrounded by twenty wiggly, inquisitive four year olds.

just his ordinary routine for the remaining eight years.

A volunteer in the course of the Anne Arundel County department of growing older and Disabilities, D'Souza's been concerned with the Foster Grandparent program at the Freetown Head delivery center.

He used to live with the infants until four p.m., however needed to reduce lower back when his diabetes worsened last year.

Foster Grandparents, low-earnings county residents age 55 or older, serve in over 20 websites right through Anne Arundel County, including Head birth centers, the branch of Social service, Boys & girls clubs, public and particular training faculties, the kingdom Kare Childcare center in Odenton, and the county's pastime and Parks summer programs.

reports from Capital Gazette's Fall 2015 Retirement living particular section.

D'Souza turned into born in Goa, a former Portuguese province north of Bombay, India. This Portuguese territory on the Indian subcontinent existed for approximately 450 years unless it changed into annexed with the aid of India in 1961.

D'Souza had left his place of origin several years before for more desirable alternatives. He moved to Kenya together with his wife. starting as a clerk in a single govt company, his public carrier profession spanned 35 years and several companies before his 55th birthday, when govt employees face compulsory retirement. His final position turned into as senior personnel officer within the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture.

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during their childhood, his three daughters were sent to England for their schooling. One met and married an American. When she moved to Maryland, she satisfied D'Souza and his wife Maria, now 86, to be part of her in 1990.

All three daughters now live in the area. Patricia D'Souza, PhD, a Rockville resident, is a senior scientist and microbiologist at the national Institutes of fitness. Maryland resident Rosalie Therese D'Souza-Magee is employed at the World financial institution. In New Jersey, Delyse D'Souza works for a different financial institution.

The D'Souza couple has five grandchildren. The oldest, a Naval Academy graduate, is a Navy pilot.

of their new nation, D'Souza worked three half-time jobs to make ends meet. The couple, married for 60 years, live in a senior housing community in Glen Burnie. Maria D'Souza worked for many years within the Baltimore Public schools. She works in the future every week at Johns Hopkins school.

D'Souza ultimately retired at age eighty.

It was short-lived.

D'Souza met a gentleman on the Pascal girls's middle at Baltimore Washington clinic. the man, a branch of growing old worker, recommended D'Souza be a part of the Foster Grandparents application.

The retiree signed on and become assigned to the Freetown Head start core. In summer months, D'Souza spends six weeks on the neighborhood Freetown Boys & girls club.

"I read books to the toddlers," D'Souza noted, patting a tot's head. "I play games with them and help them construct with blocks and Legos."

He commonly units the classroom tables for the children's lunch.

"he is very first rate with the babies," said trainer Jennifer Marion.

The middle's director, Diana Henson, fondly calls him Grandpa.

"I just love it when he walks in the course of the school room and the children name out 'Grandpa! Grandpa!'" she observed. "The children pass over him when he's not right here."

For extra counsel about the Foster Grandparent software, contact Kristin Plumer at 410-222-4464 ext. 3010 or agkrpl77@aacounty.org.

talk over with the department of getting older's website at http://www.aacounty.org/aging .