Foster Grandparents
If you have a desire to learn new skills, meet interesting people, become part of a supportive team and solve the same old problems with new ideas, then Senior Corps is the place for you.
How Foster Grandparents Began
Begun as a pilot program in 1965, Foster Grandparents quickly demonstrated that Americans of all ages who were willing to share their time and had the desire to help others could make a lasting, positive impact on their community. That program continues today; matching volunteers with changing opportunities that best fit their interests and strengths.
If you are 55 or better, are willing to put the knowledge, skills and experience you’ve earned over your lifetime to work helping children who have exceptional needs, make the decision others just like you made and consider becoming a Foster Grandparent.
Use Your Knowledge to Help Children
Our volunteers are able to choose from thousands of local children’s organizations including public schools, local youth facilities, Head Start Centers and a large assortment of faith-based groups to help tutor and assist children in essential skills such as reading, writing and math while also offering the basic guidance of a mentor, advocate and a much needed friend.
Training
Foster Grandparents are specifically trained by the organization they will be working with after completing a comprehensive, pre-service training with Senior Corps, a division of The Corporation for National and Community Service. Senior Corps has spent the last 40 years connecting Americans with community projects and volunteer opportunities that create a positive impact on both the community and the volunteer.
Volunteers can provide up to 40 hours of service per week and may qualify for a tax-free, hourly stipend as well as free supplemental accident and liability insurance while serving.
18 Responses to “Foster Grandparents”
Leave a Reply to Patty Collins
Hi. I am a foster parent to a 7 month old little girl named Helen. We live in Boynton Beach, FL. I am anticipating adopting Helen in the coming year. My family is small as I am a single parent with just one sibling who I do not see much of. I am 44 and a widow. My inlaws live in NY, so we don’t get to see them at all. My parents live 11 miles from us and we visit them, but I would love for Helen to have 2 sets of grandparents to love her. I loved my grandparents very much and the role they had in my life was so special.
If there is a way to find a surrogate grandma and/or grandpa for Helen, that would be wonderful!
I would love to be a forster grandparent.However I do have a two month grandson, Could I sill be
a forster grandprant……..
thank you
Hi, I am a retired non-smoking professional. I would love to be a surrogate grandmother to kids who either have no grandparents or whose own grandparents live far from them. I live in the Scranton, Pennsylvania area. How do I go about helping out? I currently volunteer with children and have criminal and child abuse background clearance. Does anyone have any ideas where I could get started?
[...] Foster GrandparentsIf rocking chairs and purple hats aren’t your idea of retirement, consider joining Foster Grandparents today; America’s children need you! … How Foster Grandparents Began… [...]
I am interested in becoming a foster grandmother. I I love children and I have an associates degree in early childcare education. How do I get started?
I would love to be a foster grandparent, my husband died in 2009. I do love the children and i have lots of great nieces and nephews. I just would like that little one that needs to be read too and taught different things. It does bother me that so many children are being passed ahead when they don’t even know how to read.
Thank you for your time.
P S i am 65, and my twin truly is 65. I refuse to grow up only i am responsible trust me.
3/7/2012
I am interested in learning more and becoming a foster grandparent.
Is it possible to be a foster grandparent in a way that I can take a child to festivals, carnivals, to the park, for a walk, and to museums, and to read to them and teach them. I really would like to be able to with one child about age 3 or 4.
I have a clean background. I am a kind and considerate person. I love children. I am almost 60 yrs. of age, and in good health. I have experience in helping an elderly gentleman as an in home caregiver. Please write back to my email address.
Thank you.
Debbie Lawson
[...] later when they try to get housing and work. Two other sister programs of RSVP are the Foster Grandparents program, and the Senior Companion [...]
im intrested in becoming a foster grnd parent at one of the elementry schools
I made a call to the local organization which handles Foster Grandparents. They told me I didn’t qualify since I made too much money. I am happy to forgo any pay since I only want to be available to help a child. They told me again that they where sorry but I didn’t qualify.
I think there is a disconnect here. I am a ready, willing and able person who has been turned down as a volunteer. Could you help me understand this?
Thanks!
Cathy Danielson
What??? How much assets or income we have determines if we qualify to be a loving Foster Grandparent even if we do not wish to receive any payment? I was thinking of applying, but this would eliminate me as well. Please someone tell me this isn’t true.
I can’t believe that is a fact. I recently retired and wanted to VOLUNTEER that’s the key word. If money money were the issue I could have continued with a salaried jobs. I’ll be waiting for a response.
This was not true when we were Foster Grandparents many years ago, here in BC,Canada. They did police background report…NOT income report. I would phone again or try phoning a different local close by to where u live and see what they say.
Good luck
The foster grandparenting programs are two fold. The needs of the children and helping a low income senior to be able to volunteer. I am sure there are programs in the school that accept volunteers that are more financially able to volunteer their time. If you waived the stipend you would still be taking an opportunity away from someone who would like to volunteer but couldn’t afford
MY WIFE, MARYANN, WHO IS A VERY CAPEABLE WOMAN 80 YEARS OLD TOLD ME THE HAPPIEST TIME IN HER LIFE WAS WHEN SHE HAD HER SMALL 5 CHILD REGISTERED CHILD CARE FOR 14 YEARS. SHE WOULD LOVE TO CARE FOR A CHILD OR TWO PART TIME. WE LIVE IN REIDSVILLE N.C.
CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THE POSIBLITIES ARE FOR HER AND ANY OTHER INFO ABOUT IT.
THANKYOU,
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I am the executive Director of a Boys & Girls Club in Wisconsin. How would we go about starting a foster grandparent program here at the club? I love that idea!