Grandmother Finds Purpose and Inspiration Through Her Volunteer Work

Following her retirement, Catherine Owens reflects, “I was just spending my days in front of the TV. I knew there was more for me out there, I just didn’t know what it was.”

Now, ‘Grandmother,’ as she is affectionately known, is a daily fixture and vital member as a full-time community volunteer with the FamiliesFORWARD program at Hoffman-Parham Elementary School in Evanston. Catherine, pictured at left, accompanies Charlene Miller , prevention specialist for the site (pictured at Catherine's right), on students’ home visits after school and chaperones dental or eye doctor appointments.

FamiliesFORWARD, a United Way of Greater Cincinnati agency partner, brings children, families, schools, and communities together for mutual benefit through full-service family resource centers in schools, including behavior management and after-school programming.

Education is the cornerstone of individual and community success. Research has shown that a sustained and supportive relationship with at least one caring adult is proven to promote positive outcomes, like academic success and social skills, and reduce risky behaviors, such as alcohol and tobacco use. In addition, quality home visitation programs have been proven to encourage a nurturing home environment, increasing children’s success in school and life.

Catherine first encountered FamiliesFORWARD when, then 63 years old, she and her daughter were logging the required 500 hours of manual labor on the Habitat for Humanity house she was rewarded. Finding herself in need of clothes and food for her grandchildren, the agency provided the help she needed.

Today, as a FamiliesFORWARD liaison, she talks to the 7th and 8th graders she works with “about the importance of respecting their parents, and taking value in their appearance. I encourage them to make wise choices and not go down the wrong path.”

Her work with FamiliesFORWARD introduced her to Janilan, a 7th grader who was going down that wrong path. She remembers, “He wanted to run the streets.” With her intervention, Janilan is now a regular visitor to her house. His life has turned around, and his mother credits Catherine with all the progress he’s made.