Foster Grandparent Program

Sharing a Lifetime of Wisdom

Has anyone ever asked you to volunteer?
Well, we are now.

You have the experience, wisdom and know how to make a difference in your community. The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) of Northwest Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota, will match your talents and interest to the needs of our children. Minnesota counties include ~Becker, Clay, Kittson, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties. North Dakota counties include ~ Barnes, Benson, Cass, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Griggs, Peirce, Ramsey, Richland, Sargent, Trail and Walsh counties. You can help by giving anywhere from 12 to 40 hours a week.  Foster Grandparents serve in area schools, Head Start Centers, developmental achievement centers, non-profit day care centers, juvenile detention centers, and other non-profit settings all under the supervision of staff or teachers.  Together we can build a stronger generation of children and a better community for ourselves and our neighbors.  Through your gifts of time and talent, you can share something very special – YOURSELF!

Call us at 800-584-7020 or 218-281-5832 or email us at Marley.Melbye@tvoc.org for more information. If you would like to fill out a Foster Grandparent application please Click Here.

Who can become a Foster Grandparent?

  • Be age 55 or over
  • Be willing to volunteer 12 – 40 hours each week, during school year (summer optional)
  • Individuals who would like direct interaction with infants/youth and children and believe they can make a difference in their lives.

Benefits:

  • A tax-free stipend
  • Transportation reimbursement
  • Meals while volunteering
  • Pre-service and monthly training sessions
  • An annual physical
  • Accident / Personal Liability Insurance / Excess Automobile Coverage
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

Responding to the Needs of Children and Youth.

The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), founded nationally in 1965, is a program that provides opportunities for volunteers to work with one of our most valuable resources – today’s children and youth.  By serving in settings that range from classrooms to non-profit day care centers, etc., Foster Grandparents lend their time, skill, and life experiences to assist our children in reaching their potential – academically, behaviorally, developmentally.  By interacting on a regular basis with our youth, Foster Grandparents provide the mentoring and role modeling that so many of today’s children lack in their lives.  The heart of the program is the one-on-one daily attention that Foster Grandparents provide.  This special care helps young people grow, gain confidence, learn, and become full and productive members of society.  The benefits to individuals and communities are both immediate and lasting.

Together we can make a difference in the life of a child!

As a Foster Grandparent, your placement is based on your schedule and interests.  You can serve from 12 – 40 hours a week, depending on your personal preferences and the need of the site.  There are no education or experience requirements and Foster Grandparents have the opportunity to work with children from infant years through high school.

Foster Grandparents are not intended to be a replacement for regular staff, but rather provide an added dimension of one on one attention that contributes to achieving developmentally appropriate skills for children of all ages.  In fact you will work closely with the classroom teacher or agency personnel and the FGP staff to develop your own unique volunteer activities that will best suit both you and the children.

This is Just a Sample of the Activities you Might do as a Foster Grandparent:

  • Help students with homework assignments.  Check that they are complete and submitted on time.
  • Support students in their reading and writing activities.  Work in small groups or one-on-one.
  • Work with infants, providing the nurturing experience that only a “grandparent” can provide.
  • Share your passion for math or science with students by being a tutor or classroom helper in these subjects.
  •  Assist in general classroom activities that utilize your own special talents and interests.
  • Share your love of arts and crafts and/or music with students through activities that address these areas of interest.

If you are interested in the program or would like to become a Foster Grandparent call us at 800-584-7020 or 218-281-5832 or email us at Marley.Melbye@tvoc.org.

The Foster Grandparent Program is sponsored by Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc

The Foster Grandparent Program is funded by AmeriCorps Seniors, Minnesota Board on Aging, United Way of Crookston, and the 43 sites in which we serve children.  The Foster Grandparent Program of northwest Minnesota is one of four projects in the state of Minnesota, the other projects and areas served in Minnesota can be found at the Minnesota Senior Corps website.