Parsons Mayor, Dorothy Judy, joined more than 1,760 mayors across the country for the second annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service, a nationwide bipartisan effort that highlights the impact of national service in tackling city problems.
Three Foster Grandparents serving at Tucker Valley Pre-K and Tucker Valley Elementary provide vital support by mentoring to children with special or exceptional needs or circumstances identified as limiting their academic, social, or emotion development.
“In talking with the teachers and principals of the schools where they serve, what I hear often is that the Grandparents are an essential part of the child’s education. The Foster Grandparents provide that one-on-one interaction when necessary in the classroom. It’s very rewarding to the Grandparents to make a difference in a child’s life”. Michelle Williams, Program Coordinator
The Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service is a nationwide bipartisan effort to recognize the positive impact of national service in cities, to thank those who serve, and to encourage citizens to give back to their communities. The day is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the National League of Cities, and Cities of Service, and U.S. Conference of Mayors President Scott Smith, Mayor of Mesa, Ariz.
As the federal agency for service and volunteering, CNCS annually engages more than five million citizens in service at more than 60,000 locations in 8,500 cities across the country through AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and other programs. National service participants address the most pressing challenges facing our cities and nation, from educating students for the jobs of the 21st century and supporting veterans and military families to preserving the environment and helping communities recover from natural disasters.
Across the country, mayors are participating in a variety of activities, including visiting national service programs, hosting roundtables at City Hall, issuing proclamations, and communicating about national service through social media. By shining the spotlight on the impact of service and thanking those who serve, mayors hope to inspire more residents to get involved in their communities.
Mayor Dorothy Judy stated, “We very much appreciate everything that the Foster Grandparents do and I’m sure that the children do too. I thank them for all the help they give”.
For more information on the Foster Grandparent Program, contact Michelle Williams, Program Coordinator @ 304-621-1279 or mrowwilliams@aol.com
