Overview
Foster Grandparents mentor and tutor students who are struggling academically and socially. The program connects role models like you with students who benefit from the caring connection you can provide. You’ll be volunteering with young children in the classroom under a teacher’s guidance.
Anyone over 55 years old who is able to volunteer at least 15 hours per week can be a Foster Grandparent. Volunteers who meet the income requirement will earn a non-taxable stipend of approximately $220 per month. Join a popular and respected national program that’s been active in your community for over thirty years.
Foster Grandparent Program Benefits
- Tax-free stipend averaging $220 per month
- Monthly training session with lunch provided
- Reimbursement for transportation costs
- A meal each day at the volunteer site or a cash subsidy
- Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Annual Recognition Luncheon and Gifts
- The satisfaction of helping children in your community
Who can be a Foster Grandparent?
Foster Grandparents are individuals age 55 and over who thrive on direct interaction with children and believe they can make a difference in their lives. They are interested in volunteering 15 - 20 hours per week and meet our low-income requirement in order to receive a non-taxable stipend for their volunteer service.
Today the Seniors Council coordinates 150 active Foster Grandparent volunteers. These volunteers serve at 80 school sites, mentoring and tutoring 560 students. We hope that you will help us grow by signing up as a volunteer today.
Program Goals
Communities in Need
In a recent needs assessment conducted by the Seniors Council, 36% of those who responded reported feeling isolated or depressed. The issue continues to rise and now ranks, for the first time, among the top ten challenges facing older adults. Additionally, many older adults are on fixed incomes that may not reflect the rising costs of necessities. 37% of respondents reported difficulty buying food and other essential items in the same needs assessment.
Volunteering with as a Foster Grandparent provides a way for seniors to address both of these challenges in a thoughtful and impactful way. Volunteers receive tax-free stipends averaging $220 per month. Since these stipends are not income, they do not impact a volunteer’s eligibility to receive other social benefits such as SSI or MediCal.
