Jake Browning
reporter@thefranklinpress.com
Mountain Projects is searching for volunteers to become “foster grandparents” and make a difference in the lives of Macon County students.
Organized by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Foster Grandparents program has been around since 1965. The program enlists lower-income citizens age 55 or older to go into schools and spend time with younger children, help them with their classwork and teach them life lessons they might not get anywhere else. Ashley Duckett of Mountain Projects said the program is especially helpful for children in difficult home situations who need more adult role models to take an interest in their wellbeing.
“Sometimes our foster grandparents are emotional support for children who may have come out of an abusive or neglectful situation,” Duckett said. “There is no shortage of children who just need someone to care about them and make them feel loved.”
The volunteers benefit from the program as well. Participants earn an hourly stipend of $2.65, which Duckett said can be a welcome supplement for those on a fixed income. More importantly, however, the program can give volunteers a heightened sense of wellbeing.
Erin McGrath, deputy director of the Senior Corps at CNCS, said the organization’s research reflects lower risks of cognitive and cardiovascular diseases among volunteers.
“What we’re learning is that these programs have a dramatic impact on the volunteers’ perception of their health and wellbeing over time.” McGrath said. “Being out socializing and interacting with others and volunteering with the children gives them a purpose and lets them know that they are needed. These children depend on and look forward to seeing their foster grandparents. The bridging of two generations has awesome benefits for both students and seniors.”
Mountain Projects currently oversees 36 foster grandparents in nine elementary schools, nine preschools and various childcare centers across Macon, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Swain, Jackson and Haywood counties. These volunteers work anywhere between five and 40 hours a week, depending on their own schedules.
Duckett said there’s always a need for more foster grandparents, and those who are already participating strongly recommend it.
“I am really loving the opportunity to interact with those precious faces as I used to do with my own grandchildren,” said Flo Martin, a foster grandparent with Mountain Projects. “To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful or perfect. You just have to care.”
Duckett assures prospective volunteers that they’ll be taken good care of with the program. Mountain Projects will handle training for the position, free food, accident insurance and paid leave for vacation and sick days.
Most of all, they’ll enjoy the chance to make a difference in the life of a child in need.
“There are many reasons to join the Foster Grandparent program, but the best one is that there are children out there right now that could use a friend, someone to listen to their stories and that will smile and show them someone cares,” Duckett said. “Join us and make a positive impact on a child’s life.”
To be accepted in the program, applicants must agree to a background check and meet income requirements Income limits are $24,980 for one-person households, $33,820 for two-person households, $42,660 for three and $51,500 for four.
For more information on how to become a foster grandparent, call Duckett at 828-400-0906 or go online to mountainprojects.org.