VCS Foster Grandparent Program

Overview:
Foster Grandparent Program in Rockland County, NY, recruits income eligible adults 55 years of age and older to serve as mentors, tutors for students with learning deficits. The Foster Grandparent Volunteers serve in public (elementary) educational programs, Head Starts and Day Care Centers and make sure that children in their care get plenty of individual attention. The 67 volunteers take part in class activities, but their main focus is the one-on-one time they spend with up to four children who are assigned to them. The children are selected by their teachers, on the basis of their need for help in three areas: academics, social skills and emotional behavior. The volunteers play a major role in meeting the needs of specific groups, including economically disadvantaged students, children with limited English proficiency, and students with special and/or exceptional disabilities.

Requirements of Volunteering:
Be at least 55 years of age or older, meet income eligibility and background check requirements, and attend pre-service orientation. Volunteers must commit to volunteer between 15-40 hours a week.

Benefits of Volunteering:
Foster Grandparents receive a modest, tax-free stipend, assistance with transportation, and meals during service, annual physical examinations and accident and liability insurance while on duty. In addition to these benefits, the Foster Grandparents receive 20 hours of pre-service orientation and monthly trainings during the school year.

Why It Works:
The VCS Foster Grandparent Program cites the Volunteers’ enthusiasm, commitment and collaboration with the teachers and helping the 1388 children in the 17 schools they serve as a reason for its success. The program is so popular among teachers that they ask to take the Foster Grandparents with them when they are assigned to new schools or classrooms. More than half of the volunteers have served as Foster Grandparents for more than 8 years, possessing terrific experience in helping children improve their academic skills.

Lessons Learned:
The Foster Grandparents have a renewed sense of purpose and a love for the children "calling for help, giving [us] hugs even when they are in fourth grade!" The students benefit from having a Grandparent-figure and getting the special attention in the one-on-one time spent in developing academic, emotional behavior and social skills.

Contact: Eva Hernandez-Goley, Director (845) 634-5729 ext. 309, or
ehernandezgoley@vcs-inc.org