The Adopt-A-Grandparent Program was started this school year by our Community Outreach Committee. The program unites students from Judson University with residents from Willow Lakes Estates. Students from Judson have an "adopted" grandparent or grandparents that they get to know by spending time doing various activities.
Here are what some students have to say...
"The Adopt-A-Grandparent program at Willow Lakes has been such a success. I think the coolest part about the program is that there are relationships being built through service to their community. It is really awesome to see how the students from Judson go over for the events with their grandparents in order to serve them. The really cool thing is that the grandparents at Willow Lakes see it as a service to the grand kids. It is really awesome to see these relationships being built that cross generational boundaries and are mutually beneficial to both the students and grandparents. Most of the residents that have become involved in the program are men or women who have lost their spouse within the last five years. Although, many of them have family in the area, the goal is to give both the students and grandparents an opportunity to become friends with people of a different generation. I had such a great opportunity to appreciate the wisdom from a different generation and build such a close relationship with my grandmother that I really wanted other college kids to have that opportunity. I know a lot of younger people see older people as very unlike themselves, and that is not the case. These elderly people, despite any physical setbacks, are vibrant loving people that just want someone to tell their life story to or someone to cook for. Not only has this program been great for both the grandparents and grand kids, but with the loss of both of my grandmothers almost exactly one year ago this has been a tremendous way that God has allowed me to heal. I really feel as though He has changed my sorrow, loss, and grief for something positive to further His kingdom. God has used this interaction I have had personally with the grandparents to fill this void and desire I have for grandparents. "