Volunteer Of The Month

December, 2007 

RSVP - Foster Grandparents

I'm Helen Abeyta...

I was born in Silver City, New Mexico, where I graduated from Beauty School and worked in a Beauty Shop for several years.  I left the Beauty Shop to help care for my Great Grandmother, who eventually passed away at the age of 104.  When I returned to the workforce, I found employment in rest homes caring for the elderly.  After a 12 year career in that profession, I discovered the Grant County Foster Grandparent Program.

I became a volunteer for the Foster Grandparent Program in 1998, and have had the pleasure to work with different age groups throughout my years of service.  I have really enjoyed serving the individuals and the community, and it has been a very great and rewarding experience for me.  The many teachers I’ve been assigned to have always treated me with respect, and Terry Anderson and the office staff have been very good and considerate of me.

I raised 4 children, a son and 3 daughters, in this area, but also lost one of my daughters at the age of 15 in a car accident.  I feel very lucky to have my mother still living, and I have 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.  They are my pride and joy.