Texas Seniors Trade Retirement for Mentoring Local Kids

Debra Whitfield could be watching soap operas at home, but instead she's helping children learn life skills that will stay with them forever. The retired Sherman, Texas resident volunteers through the Foster Grandparent Program, where seniors mentor kids who need extra support with behavior and development.

"It gives you a reason to get up, get going in the morning," Whitfield said. She prefers this meaningful work to a traditional desk job, and she's learning just as much from the children as they learn from her.

The program trains volunteers to guide children through everything from basic manners to calming techniques. Blair Shelton, a certified therapeutic writing instructor at Divine Equine, said volunteers help kids master crucial skills like taking deep breaths and practicing common courtesy.

Some of the most powerful moments happen with children who face bigger challenges. AmeriCorps member Judy Neidrich remembers working with a highly intelligent autistic child who refused to touch horses because of their hair texture.

During an art activity, Neidrich accidentally dabbed paint on the child's nose. He responded by carefully swirling paint on his finger and returning the favor, dotting her nose with paint too. The moment brought tears to Neidrich's eyes as she laughed.

That playful interaction created a breakthrough. Soon after, the child reached out and touched the horse for the first time. He joined other students painting handprints on Bunny the horse, a moment that showed how trust and connection can help children overcome their fears.

Sunny's Take

The beauty of this program isn't just what volunteers give to children. It's what they receive in return. "The kids bring me back," one volunteer shared, capturing how these relationships restore energy and joy to retired seniors.

Former program supervisor Bonnie Arrington has watched volunteers transform alongside the children they mentor. They gain something to look forward to each day and find deep satisfaction in watching kids grow and succeed.

These seniors prove that retirement doesn't mean stepping back from life. It can mean stepping into a new chapter where experience becomes wisdom shared, and quiet mornings become opportunities to shape young lives.

The Foster Grandparent Program shows that the best mentorship flows both ways, creating memories and breakthroughs that neither generation will forget.