Summer is here and many children have the summer to play outside at the beach and participate in sports and hobbies they don’t have time for during school. During the summer many kids are in day care, summer school programs and other community organizations in which they will interact with foster grandparents. Being a foster grandparent helps you remember what it is like to be a child again. Foster grandparents have the opportunity to dream, imagine and play with children. In return, children learn new and exciting things. The love and care a child feels from a foster grandparent is irreplaceable. The Foster Grandparent program, sponsored locally by Catholic Charities since 1965, is a nationally-recognized intergenerational program, which provides meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunities to people age 60 and older. The mentor relationships built by foster grandparents help children who have exceptional, emotional and/or special needs within the community. Foster grandparents volunteer an average of 20 hours per week, and receive a small, tax-free stipend of $2.65 an hour. Other benefits include transportation assistance, annual medical review, accident and liability insurance while on assignment, a daily lunch or meal allowance, education and training, paid vacation and sick leave, recognition, social activities, and the satisfaction of knowing they have made a difference. Experience the love and wonder of children every day, become a foster grandparent. For more information call Jean Yager toll-free at (866) 895-7992.
