70-something Jim Isenberg and his buddy, Frank Williams, formed a group in 2018 called Grandpas United. A recent NPR report provided an update on the group and its formation.
When Isenberg first became a grandfather, he wanted to meet other men his age. But when he searched online “trying to find any kind of organization with grandpas,” he was out of luck. “There were a lot of things for grandmas, but nothing for grandfathers,” he told Ashley Milne-Tyte of NPR.
The purpose of the group is to offer an opportunity for retired men to connect socially but also have a continued sense of purpose by volunteering in the community.
The grandpas realized that the skills they have from a lifetime of experience can help the younger generation, especially boys and young men. Williams and Isenberg went around the community recruiting retired men from varied backgrounds to become mentors.
The Grandpas might help new dads adjust to parenthood, play strategy games with fourth-grade boys, teach socializing skills, and even the art of the handshake.
Grandpas United volunteer Marc Sharf learned an important lesson himself from his work with the group. “One of the things that I love about Grandpas, it’s not only with the kids, it’s the camaraderie and building new friendships,” he told NPR. “There are people I never knew before. We’ve developed relationships, and I cherish that.”
Read the original article or listen to the reporting here: Grandpas United
