Foster Grandparents of the Wyoming Rockies

Volunteering for the Foster Grandparent Program enables limited income persons 55 years and older, to remain physically and mentally active as well as supplements their income with a tax-free stipend.  Volunteers serve children and teens who need one-on-one assistance by alleviating the academic, physical, mental, and or emotional problems of children and adolescents having special or exceptional needs.  Assistance may include tutoring, teaching remedial skills, motivating, listening, reading to and mentoring.  To be eligible to volunteer for the Foster Grandparent Program, a person must, among other things, meet established income guidelines, supply references, be able to serve 15-40 hours per week, be willing to accept supervision as required, must pass fingerprinting and undergo a background check, and attend 48 hours of additional training per year beyond their time in the classroom.

The Foster Grandparent Program began in 1965 as a national demonstration effort to show how low-income seniors have the maturity and experience to establish relationships with children having either exceptional or special needs.  By 1968, there was a total of 68 Foster Grandparent Projects funded in 40 states and in Puerto Rico, with 4,100 FGs helping more than 10,000 children.  By 2010, the FGP included 325 projects and 29,100 Foster Grandparents, who, together, made a difference in the lives of more than 250,000 children annually - while enriching their own lives through service.  The FGP operates through the National Senior Corps, which is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.  The Foster Grandparent Program of Southwestern Wyoming serves seven counties -  Albany, Carbon, Sweetwater, Uinta, Johnson, Sheridan and Lincoln - and currently has 35 Grandparents serving 120 children in classrooms, child development centers and other not-for-profit programs.  In Southwestern Wyoming, the Foster Grandparent Program operates under the umbrella of Action Resources International.