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The Foster Grandparent Program has served the West Maricopa
County for the past eight years and is recognized as a
Promising Practice by the Academy of Educational
Development. Our project offers older adult volunteers the
opportunity to put their life experiences toward meaningful
service in western Maricopa County.
Foster Grandparents provide love, encouragement and
companionship to children and youth with special needs
during in-school and out-of-school time. They serve as
caring adult mentors and caregivers at community
schools, libraries, Head Start centers, and after-school and
summer programs. In fiscal year 2003, an average of 36
Foster Grandparents logged a combined total of 35,248
service hours.
Foster Grandparents tended to the individualized needs
of 108 assigned children and youth focused on literacy, and
assisted approximately 1066 children and youth in classroom
and/or center activities. Furthermore, local neighborhoods
and communities benefit from service-learning activities and
community service projects organized by the Foster
Grandparent-led Volunteer Action Committees, including
community clean-ups, clothing drives, and intergenerational
art murals.
Currently, there are approximately 40 Foster
Grandparents making an active difference (getting things
done). “The Foster Grandparent Program is priceless,” says
one community partner “because it is a win-win situation for
everyone.” Individuals, groups, and organizations sustain
and drive the project locally in partnership with Save the
Children. |
