A 2012 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that 16% of children who are not reading at grade level by third grade will not graduate high school. In crowded classrooms, teachers are often unable to provide these children with the attention they need to succeed. The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program enables caring, mature adults, often from their neighborhood, and from limited-income households, to support these children and help them advance to the next grade level with their peers. You can be a hero to a child struggling to learn or your child could benefit from our great volunteers.
The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) connects adults aged 55 and over with children who have special or exceptional needs, or who are academically or socially at-risk. Volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring, mentoring, and emotional support in settings like schools, early education centers, and hospitals. The program is a dual-purpose initiative that provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for seniors and critical support for children.
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Mission:
To provide one-on-one mentoring and support to children with special or exceptional needs or those who are at-risk.
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Participants:
Volunteers are adults aged 55 and over who provide a caring and experienced presence for children.
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Service locations:
Volunteers serve in a variety of community settings, including schools, early education and childcare centers, and community centers.
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Role of volunteers:
Foster Grandparents act as mentors, tutors, and friends to children, offering individual attention that helps boost a child’s self-esteem, critical thinking, and social skills.
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Time commitment:
Volunteers typically serve between 15 and 40 hours per week.
Eligibility and benefits for volunteers
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Eligibility:
Volunteers must be age 55 or older and meet certain income eligibility guidelines.
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Stipend:
Qualifying volunteers receive a non-taxable hourly stipend to help with their volunteer service, which is not considered income for other programs like social security or food stamps.
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Training:
Volunteers receive training from their assigned station on how to best support the children they serve.
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Other benefits:
Participants also receive travel reimbursement, supplemental insurance covering their volunteer activities, and annual recognition.
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Health and well-being:
Research suggests that staying socially engaged through the program can lead to improved mental and physical health for volunteers, including decreased anxiety and loneliness.
