December 2007 Vol. 26. No. 12

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Senior Friends
HSRC launches community-based initiative to improve Alzheimer’s care
Alzheimer's: Food and the person with dementia
Around the Center: Holiday foods can conflict with medications
Foster Grandparents: Make a difference in the lives of children

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Foster Grandparents
Make a difference in the lives of children
by Dori Felardo

Seniors, do you have time on your hands? Would you like to make a difference in the lives of children?

Consider the Foster Grandparent Program. In exchange for volunteering 20 hours a week with special needs children, you will receive a modest tax-free stipend (about $180 to $200 monthly) as well as travel reimbursement and a meal.

Foster Grandparents serve much like tutors in classrooms giving extra time and attention to children with special needs. Typical activities include reading with the children, helping with class projects and helping the children learn to think and follow directions. The classroom teacher is responsible for planning activities. The volunteer helps carry out the plan and develops a caring relationship with the child.

There are three main requirements for eligibility — to be at least 60 years old, to be in a specific low-income level, and to be able to spend 20 hours a week in a local school setting.

By federal law, this stipend will not affect Social Security or any other grant program the senior may be on. Volunteers earn sick leave and vacation while also getting the stipend for holidays. They receive a travel allowance and a meal at the school each day they volunteer. But the greatest benefits could be the intangibles – the reasons to get up and going each morning and a generous supply of smiles and hugs from the children.

The Foster Grandparent Program is a federal grant program run through the Corporation for National Service. Here we are administered by North Coast Opportunities Inc. of Ukiah. There are about 100 volunteers serving in the five North Coast counties of Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake and Sonoma.

For more information in Humboldt call Nancy at 839-9600 (now in Hoopa, too); in Del Norte call Kim at 465-6800 or the Ukiah office at 462-2596, ext. 106.

Dori Felardo is the Humboldt County coordinator of Foster Grandparents. She can be reached at 443-9184.