Nobody loves kids exactly like grammas and grandpas do, and that dynamic is put to use to the best advantage of both age groups at Grossmont College.

The program is called “Seniors for Kids,” and it brings together volunteer seniors with kids in the college day-care program. Lorraine Martin of the Grossmont College Child Development Center is the project director.

The program’s goal is to let seniors of 55 and over become mentors for kids five and under. The mentors work to promote literacy and school readiness, and to work with children with disabilities, children traumatized by domestic violence, and children from international cultures.

Some of these contacts require special skills, which Martin teaches in 12 orientation sessions. Volunteers are taught about issues such as the qualities and expectations of a senior mentor, stages of child development, child abuse and neglect, and substance abuse.

Martin coordinates four orientation sessions a year and is recruiting a new cohort of 30 volunteers for training at Grossmont College, and placement in 10 area preschool sites, including Grossmont’s own Child Development Center. The new recruits will begin in June 22 and are asked to commit to 30 hours per month, or seven and one-half hours a week. Seniors choose their work schedule and also the preschool site where they will work, and receive a stipend of $225 every two months. The state program is funded by the First Five Commission of San Diego County.

From there, they work to fulfill the program’s motto, which is, “When over 55 meets under 5, there are high fives all around.”