{"id":5083695,"date":"2024-01-31T10:35:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T15:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ctlatinonews.com\/?p=5083695"},"modified":"2024-01-31T10:35:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-31T15:35:54","slug":"foster-grandparent-programs-mentor-of-the-year-manuela-sanchez-bodden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latinonewsnetwork.com\/ctln\/2024\/01\/31\/foster-grandparent-programs-mentor-of-the-year-manuela-sanchez-bodden\/","title":{"rendered":"Foster Grandparent Program\u2019s Mentor Of The Year: Manuela Sanchez-Bodden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WINDHAM \u2014 While running errands a few weeks ago, Willimantic resident Manuela Sanchez-Bodden, 73, heard someone call to her\u2014\u201cAbuelita!\u201d The voice belonged to a child she mentored years ago through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of CT Foster Grandparent program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, almost seven years later, the kindergartener she once spent so much time with was practically taller than her. The child recalled the times they learned and played together in the classroom and the positive impact those memories had on them. Their mother thanked Sanchez-Bodden for helping her child adjust to the U.S., as they had recently migrated to the U.S. at the time while the child\u2019s grandparents stayed in their home country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHa sido una experiencia \u00fanica, muy valiosa. No solamente por nosotros tambi\u00e9n para [los] ni\u00f1os\u2026No solo ayudamos a nuestro ni\u00f1os si no que ellos nos ayudan: nos dan cari\u00f1o, le damos atenci\u00f3n. Nosotros aprendemos de ellos y ellos aprenden de nosotros.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a unique experience, very valuable. Not just for us, but also for [the] children,\u201d Sanchez-Bodden shared in a phone call. \u201cWe don\u2019t only help our children but they also help us: they give us affection, we give them attention. We learn from them and they learn from us.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This winter, Sanchez-Bodden has been honored as Mentor Of The Year for her time within the volunteer program, supporting many young, local students in their learning and social development over the years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She received a total of four nominations for the award from either teachers, principals, or childcare directors and was selected out of the Foster Grandparent program\u2019s 57 volunteers. Sanchez-Bodden was honored with a certificate and award during the program\u2019s annual luncheon at the Pond House Cafe, according to Foster Grandparent Program Manager Jeannette Mendez. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can describe Manuela as a very happy person. Everywhere she goes, she has this nice energy,\u201d said Foster Grandparent Program Coordinator Cecilia Lopez. \u201cShe\u2019s always helping kids and the teacher that she works with, loves her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sanchez-Bodden shared that she looks to support as many children as possible when she\u2019s volunteering at Natchaug Elementary School in Willimantic. When the children she\u2019s normally assigned with are taking tests, she offers to assist students in other classrooms. As a Spanish speaker, she mostly works with children who speak Spanish. Sanchez-Bodden added that she is proud to help students with reading and pronunciation in English. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sanchez-Bodden was named as Mentor Of The Year at the Foster Grandparent Program\u2019s Annual Luncheon at the Pond House Cafe in West Hartford in December 2023. Photo Courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of CT. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sanchez-Bodden balances her week with working shifts at TJ Maxx and volunteering three to four days at the program. But she hasn\u2019t always been this busy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years ago, a neighbor mentioned the Foster Grandparent program to Sanchez-Bodden, encouraging her to apply. Sanchez-Bodden shared that she was struggling with depression at the time, feeling unmotivated to get up most days. She was hesitant at first, but her neighbor insisted that spending time with children would be beneficial to her mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cQuiz\u00e1s es verdad porque me levanto, me ba\u00f1o, me preparo, me voy. Cuando salga tengo la mente disipada.\u201d <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps it\u2019s true, because I get up, bathe, get ready, and I go. When I leave [the house] I have a clear mind,\u201d shared Sanchez-Bodden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She now actively encourages other residents in her community to join the program as well and offers to drive volunteers to the program\u2019s monthly in-service meetings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe tries to bring that sense of unity,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cIf she makes a joke in Spanish, she will make sure that the joke is [translated] to English to, she\u2019s always nice\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

WINDHAM \u2014 While running errands a few weeks ago, Willimantic resident Manuela Sanchez-Bodden, 73, heard someone call to her\u2014\u201cAbuelita!\u201d The 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