Phyllis Bauman: 92 Years Old and Still Giving the Gift of Love

On Friday, July 20, the Foster Grandparent Program honored the retirement of one of our volunteers who has served the citizens of San Francisco since 1982. In honor of this exemplary citizen, SF Mayor Willie Brown declared the day "Grace Athias Day."

Grace Athias, who is 92 years old and a long-time Richmond District resident, has volunteered with unwed mothers and their babies at the Teen Age Parenting Program (T.A.P.P.) and the Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program for more than 19 years.

Her contribution to the young participants of the T.A.P.P. and her "down home" wisdom, has led many mothers who might have fallen through the cracks to become successful contributors to society. Many of the mothers who have long since graduated from T.A.P.P. continue to correspond with Athias and count her as a meaningful member of their families.

Athias' life exemplifies her belief in the goodness of the human race. She is a very humble, quiet person who has touched many lives in immeasurable ways while overcoming her own physical challenges.

Athias was born in Jamaica and for many years taught school and counseled teens how to live successfully. While a youngster in Jamaica, Athias fell sick from an illness that left her with difficulty walking - a challenge that would have left many feeling sorry for themselves and isolated from the world they live in. But not Grace.

When she immigrated to San Francisco, she went back to school to attain an education in the field of nursing. For many years, Athias went to visit elders at Laguna Honda Hospital every week, while working full time. When she retired from nursing, Athias joined the Foster Grandparent Program and became a volunteer, donating more than 20 hours a week helping teenage mothers get their GED and transition into successful lives with their new babies.

Grace Athias is a heroine. Her quiet humility and devotion to others is an outstanding example to all of us of what we can do to help our neighbors and make our community a stronger place to live.

Phyllis Bauman is the director of volunteers at the Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program.