As a Foster Grandparent, you’ll help children in your community develop the academic and life skills that are critical to their development and future successes. Sharing your time and experience can help children learn how to read, prepare younger students for school readiness, tackle tough subjects and make decisions that keep them on the right path. We’ll match your skills and passions to opportunities that interest you, including those in local schools, youth facilities, early childhood education and day care centers.
A Proud History of Helping
Foster Grandparents began in 1965 with 800 volunteers in more than 45 institutions. Today, nearly 30,000 volunteers help more than 280,000 children through our nationwide network of organizations. These organizations have clear-cut goals, so you can be sure your assistance focuses on high-impact activities like:
- Teaching job skills to economically disadvantaged youth.
- Improving behavioral and educational outcomes—including day care centers, grade school and college readiness—for students with special and or exceptional needs.
- Tutoring and mentoring in local schools and community-based programs.
- Supporting children of veterans and deployed military.
You Have What it Takes
Our program is open to volunteers 55 and over who can serve between 15 and 40 hours a week. You don’t need formal experience in tutoring or mentoring. You’ll receive pre-service orientation and training from the organization with which you will serve. We also offer a tax-free hourly stipend to help cover costs for income eligible volunteers. You’ll even receive supplemental, accident and liability insurance while you’re in service.