Are you a grandparent or wish you were?
There are children in your community who don't have grandparents actively involved in their lives who could really benefit from a close association with a responsible, caring adult.

Do you enjoy working and playing with children?
There are children in your community you could help with their reading, socialization, play skills, and math. At the same time you would be providing a very special and important adult connection for the child.

Do you care about your community?
By helping the children of today you will be helping the community of tomorrow. Make a real difference in the life of a child and the life of your community.

Serving the critical needs of children and youth
Since its beginning three decades ago, the Foster Grandparent Program has provided young and old the chance to grow together. Today nearly 24,000 older Americans volunteer as Foster Grandparents. They give care and attention every day to more than 80,000 children and youth with exceptional needs. In improving the lives of the children they serve, Foster Grandparents also profoundly enrich their own lives.  Our program serves children & youth in the following counties, Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, Ravalli and Sanders.

Foster Grandparents volunteer in such varied settings as schools, correctional institutions, Head Start, and teen pregnancy programs. They help children who have been abused or neglected, mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers, and care for children with physical disabilities.

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 and become more responsible and productive members of society. The benefits to individuals and communities are both immediate and lasting.

Are you eligible?
Foster Grandparents must meet certain eligibility requirements. They must be at least 60 years of age, love children and be willing to devote 15-40 hours a week to service. They do not need special training or educational degrees.

What are the benefits of being a Foster Grandparent?

• Foster Grandparents participate in and are supported by pre-service orientation and training workshops throughout their service at their volunteer sites, and through the Foster Grandparent Program.

• Foster Grandparents who qualify receive a modest, tax-free stipend, assistance with transportation, and meals during service.

• Foster Grandparents receive annual physical examinations, and accident and liability insurance while on duty.

The Big Picture
Foster Grandparents serve through almost 300 projects sponsored and managed by local nonprofit agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

The Foster Grandparent Program is part of the National Senior Service Corps. The Senior Corp is a network of programs that help older Americans find opportunities to address community needs through service. The Senior Corp also includes the Senior Companion Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Together, these programs involve more than a half million seniors in tens of thousands of sites across the country.