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Some children have special needs that only special people can meet. Foster Grandparents draw on the wisdom and devotion they have gained through their many years of life and in turn serve as mentors and tutors, restoring and reinforcing a sense of community and the value of an extended family in the children.
In helping children who are developmentally disabled, visually or hearing
impaired, emotionally or physically abused, physically or learning impaired,
Foster Grandparents earn the love of the children and also enjoy companionship
of other volunteers.
Foster Grandparents spend 15 to 20 hours each week giving one-on-one attention
to children with exceptional needs. Volunteers may rock babies, color
with pre-schoolers, listen to school-age children read, or assist teenage
parents with completing school successfully. In all cases, the relationship
that grows between the Foster Grandparent and the child makes a tremendous
difference in the lives of both.
Interested?
To be a Foster Grandparent, you must:
- be at least 60 years old
- enjoy children
- successfully complete our pre-service training and a police background check
- be income-eligible
For your service, you will receive:
- 20 hours of paid pre-service training and monthly in-service training
- a tax-free stipend which will not affect other benefits
- mileage reimbursement to and from service
- a nutritious meal each day of service
- an annual physical examination
- excess accident and liability insurance
- ongoing staff support
Within Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties, Foster Grandparents serve
in elementary, middle and high schools, learning centers, after-school
programs, early childhood centers, preschools, pediatric wards, migrant
programs, emergency shelters and juvenile centers.