Murphy – For 57 years, the AmeriCorps Senior Foster Grandparent program has been quietly sending seniors – ages 55 and older – into classrooms and day-care centers around the nation. These silver soldiers provide one-on-one help, love and encouragement to children, who benefit from their care and attention.
Ashley Duckett, foster grandparent program director for the Foster Grandparent Program with Mountain Projects, said, “The classroom grandparent serves the children who need a little extra help making friends, managing their feelings or educational support.”
The program allows Foster Grandparents to choose their own schedule, working from 5-40 hours a week. They receive a tax-free hourly stipend to assist with any costs. Additionally, they can request mileage reimbursement and accident and liability insurance. To add a cherry on top, the Foster Grandparent Program even pays for sick leave and vacation time.
However, the job requires a great deal from each foster grandparent.
“They must get a yearly physical exam (paid for by the program), attend pre-service and monthly training sessions as well as serve as a mentor, tutor and encourager to children who are considered special needs,” Duckett said.
They also must meet the income requirements to volunteer.
“If they live in a two-person home, for example,” Duckett said, “their yearly income must be at $36,600 or below to qualify.”
Despite the rigid requirements, the program affects the community in lasting ways. Duckett said, “Seniors who volunteer report better health, decreased depression and less social isolation.”
What of the community benefits? The program has been around long enough to recognize that foster grandparents, in addition to providing support to individual children, can indirectly benefit their communities as well.
“Our goal is to promote the bridging of two generations,” Duckett said. “It has awesome benefits for both students and seniors.”
This continuity between the youth and the elderly helps to cement a deeper understanding, and perhaps even tolerance, when melding old-fashioned ideas with modern sensibilities.
The Foster Grandparent Program of Mountain Projects joined the AmeriCorps initiative in the late 1980s.
“The program is available in all seven western counties with over 90 volunteers,” Duckett said.
One of those volunteers, Sandi Slaughter, has been with the program for six years.
“I have enjoyed working with this program for it has given me the great opportunity to work with students one on one. I want to make a difference in their lives in any way I can,” she said.
Slaughter feels useful to the classroom teacher as well.
“I love to help the teacher by working with the students individually with math, listening to them read, showing them that I care about their well being and to show grandma love,” she said. “It is a wonderful experience for me, and hopefully for them.”
Classroom teachers recognize the grandparents’ contribution.
“The foster grandparent program has helped toward providing the much needed extra pair of hands in our local classrooms,” said Jenn Forchetti, a second-grade teacher at Andrews Elementary School. “The relationship between foster grandparents, teachers and students has been mutually beneficial, and has allowed different generations to learn from and build caring relationships with each other.”
However, the program has faltered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Duckett said the pandemic has dramatically decreased her army of volunteers.
“We are actively looking for volunteers in all seven counties,” she added.
For details on volunteering for the Foster Grandparent Program with Mountain Projects, call Central Intake at 828-452-1447 or Duckett at 828-356-2800.