Terrebonne’s 4-H, Foster Grandparents’ programs get BP funding

Even before the disaster in the Gulf, south Louisiana, as well as the rest of the country, had been suffering the blow of a faltering economy, and two of Terrebonne Parish’s extracurricular programs fell victim to lost funding for the upcoming year.

But thanks to a generous grant from BP, announced at the June 15 Terrebonne Parish School Board meeting, the Foster Grandparent Program and the 4-H Program have been resuscitated and won’t have to make any drastic changes for the upcoming year.

“I’m really glad to see BP stepped up to the plate,” said Terrebonne Superintendent Phillip Martin. “Long before the oil spill, BP has always been supportive of the school system and a responsible corporate citizen and is well received by members of those groups.”

4-H, a program that is facing a lack of funding in areas all over the country was glad to have the support in Terrebonne.

The program generally has 1,200 to 1,300 students participating in Terrebonne Parish alone, according to the program director, Barton Joffrion. The program itself advocates leadership skills, and hosts various activities and summer camps.

“This is going to allow us to do a lot of things and to function within our program,” Joffrion said.

The Foster Grandparent Program, that takes volunteers ages 55 and older to tutor students after school, will also see $10,000 of the approximate $23,000 BP has granted to the school board.

Program director Van J. Johnson couldn’t be happier.

“It’s a needed service in our area to be role models and mentors for students in our parish,” he said at the board meeting.

“In order for services to be provided, the grandparents need to be compensated one free meal,” Johnson explained. Without the funding for the meals, Johnson said his only other option would have been to reach out to non-profit daycare organizations.

“Because of this grant, at least 42 grandparents will remain in the public school system,” Johnson said. “It’s a blessing for us.”