Great grandpas

When Jim Isenberg first retired, he had no idea how lonely it could be. After working a long career in both transportation and family and youth services, Jim realized soon after his retirement that without his work, he wasn’t quite sure who he was anymore.

One thing he knew for sure, however, was that he loved being a grandpa.

• Jim craved community; he wanted to put himself out there and meet other men in a similar stage of life. 
• But he was sorely disappointed when he couldn’t find anything of the sort. There were plenty of organizations dedicated to grandmas, but next to nothing for grandfathers.

So Jim took matters into his own hands. And Grandpas United was born.

Jim and his friend, Frank Williams, founded Grandpas United to bring retired men together socially and form a community. 

During their initial get-togethers, they realized many older men needed a sense of purpose again—and what better way to provide that than by helping mentor other men?

• Over the seven years since its founding, Grandpas United has recruited around 60 volunteer grandpas(and non-grandpas) in and around White Plains, NY. 
• Members work with young boys and men, mentoring them through early fatherhood, career changes, and basic socialization lessons like shaking hands and preparing for job interviews.
• The grandpas also spend time every month hanging out with neighborhood kids, volunteering in elementary school classrooms to play games and enjoy each other’s company.

On top of helping their communities, Grandpas United members are also helping themselves. Regular volunteering for men over a two-year period increases the size of their brains in the regions associated with problem-solving and memory, NPR reports. Their volunteer work also helps the men feel a greater sense of purpose and belonging among other retirees.