COID - 2021 Annual Report - Digital Final - 210704 - Flipbook - Page 12
COLLEGE OF INNOVATION + DESIGN — Dean’s Report
Angie Bowers created the Grandparent
Reading Buddy Program in Fall, 2020 as
her capstone project for her Leadership
Certificate. Here’s how it happened.
ANGIE BOWERS
LEAD Certificate
Angie noticed the isolation many people
have complained of during COVID and
realized there is a segment of our society
that has been experiencing this form of
isolation, and the depression that often
accompanies it, long before COVID hit. Her
mother is part of that segment of
society—she’s a woman in an assisted living
facility with a healthy mind but a body that
has left her sedentary and unable to enjoy
the connections she once had. Angie
wondered whether there was a way to
bring greater connection to these
individuals through technology.
“I believe that no matter
what stage of life we are in,
we all need to feel needed
and we all need connection
with each other.”
At the same time, she reflected on when
her children were younger and she
volunteered for their school by sitting in
the hallway listening to a child who was
developing their reading skills by reading
out loud. She loved seeing the excitement
the “children had on their faces as they
worked to pronounce a word and the
sense of accomplishment they had when
they finished their assigned reading.”
These reflections gave her an idea: To
connect children with seniors via Zoom,
so that children could practice their
reading, and seniors could enjoy
connecting with kids and encouraging
their confidence. She was able to onboard
2nd grade teacher, Deborah Adamson at
Ronald Reagan Elementary and Activity
Director, Crystal Thresall, at Karcher
Estates Assisted Living Facility. Today, her
project has grown to three classrooms
and over 35 volunteer seniors.
One of Angie's core values is service and
she strongly believes that her purpose in
life is to use what talents she has to help
others. The 2020 Grandparent Reading
Buddy Program is a great example of
innovative thinking to bring together
segments of our community that
benefits everyone.
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