Summer is coming to an end, and back-to-school sales have already begun. Children and parents all over America will be getting ready for school. Foster Grandparents from Catholic Charities Central MN Foster Grandparent program will also be busy preparing for the upcoming school year. “Our Foster Grandparents provide smiles, encouragement, role-modeling and patience, while giving that special love that is generations wise. Foster Grandparents are tutors as well as mentors for the children. The children thrive through this type of supportive relationship,” says Jackie Johnson, program director. Johnson add that Foster Grandparents also benefit, knowing that they are needed and valued by the children, their parents and staff. The Foster Grandparent Pro-gram is a nationally recognized program that provides meaningful, rewarding volunteer opportunities to people 60 years and older to give back to their community. Foster Grandparents establish mentor relationships with children who have exceptional, emotional, and/or special needs within community non-profit agencies including schools, early education programs, residential facilities and social service agencies. Foster Grandparents volunteer 15-40 hours a week and receive a small tax-free stipend ($2.65 per 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. If you or someone you know would enjoy giving of your time to volunteer with the foster grandparents program please call Jean Yager at (866) 895-7992.
