He signed up to 'be there' for kids. At 73, he learned just as much from them

On a beautiful, sunny day inside room 303 at Chenango Forks Elementary School, one person at the back of the classroom stands out from the rest — 73-year-old John Steinbrecher is sitting with the children, explaining the day's reading. It's just one of his many responsibilities as a foster grandparent.

The Foster Grandparent Program is funded through AmeriCorps Seniors and sponsored by the Broome County Office for Aging. Contrary to the name, volunteers do not foster children, but rather assist with day-to-day functions of classrooms and are there to lend a helping hand to any student that may need it during school hours.

The program is open to those over age 55, and features benefits including a paid stipend of four dollars an hour, travel reimbursement and a meal on days volunteered. Volunteers can work up to 40 hours a week at levels ranging from daycare to fifth grade, according to the program's website.

What is the goal behind the Foster Grandparents Program?

Francie Keefe, program manager for the Foster Grandparents Program, said the program provides two services, as it helps children struggling with learning, as well as senior citizens who need supplemental income or a fulfilling activity.

"The program was created to help low-income seniors bridge the financial gap, as well as remain active in the community," said Keefe. "Their tasks vary depending on the needs of the children."

Keefe said the volunteers' responsibilities can range from emotional — such as cheering up a student on a bad day — to educational, which involves actively helping with assignments and learning. Foster grandparents are present in schools in the Chenango Forks, Johnson City and Binghamton school districts.

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The program is continuously hiring, and new retirees are often interested in becoming involved with the program. Keefe said the program also runs monthly meetings, which are attended by local experts who can educate seniors on topics such as new financial incentives or stress management. These meetings also offer social opportunities for a demographic which can often feel isolated.

At a meeting to honor senior volunteers on April 5, Broome County Executive Jason Garnar named April Volunteer Recognition Month in Broome County.

"It is such a great way to give back to the community, and it is very important to give back to the community," said Garnar. "There are a lot of kids that need that who don't have that type of help and support at home."

A day with a foster grandparent

Steinbrecher, an artist who lives in Windsor, was the Broome County Public Library's featured artist of the month in July 2016 and has had his artwork featured at the Bundy Museum and Hamilton House. Steinbrecher also has one of his paintings hung up in the Chenango Forks Elementary School auditorium, where he volunteers as a foster grandparent.

Steinbrecher, who assisted children with reading and a Venn diagram assignment on Monday, said he has worked with every child in the classroom at one point or another. He was first introduced to the program through a TV commercial. Now, he works three days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and says he loves the job.

The program, which he has been with for over three years, offers him a unique opportunity to be there for children, something Steinbrecher said was not available when he was growing up.

"There was nobody back in the old days to actually talk to about things that were happening," he said. "You just didn't talk about stuff like that. I started thinking, it would be cool if I could actually be there for someone — even just one kid."

Helpful for children, Steinbrecher said the program is also fulfilling for seniors, who said stand to gain a lot by getting involved in it.

"The response from the children, it touches your heart," he said. "Birthday cards and the things that they say, the love they bring, you can't get better than that."

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Chenango Forks foster grandparent's work 'touches your heart'