Foster Grandparent Program celebrates 50 years

This month, Miami Dade County Group Motion and Human Providers Division (CAHSD) commemorates 50 years of the Foster Grandparent Program and the various devoted foster grandparents who’ve volunteered many years of service to the group. This system supplies grants to organizations that interact residents 55 years and older in volunteer service and supplies one-on-one assist to kids with particular wants to enhance their tutorial, social, and emotional growth.

“This win-win program brings kids and grandparents collectively for love, assist and profit for the entire group,” mentioned County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “Miami-Dade County is a proud sponsor of the Foster Grandparents Program because it helps the engagement of older adults in our group who’ve a lot to contribute. By sharing their time and expertise, we will meet important wants in schooling, the setting, public security, and different group priorities.”

The Foster Grandparent Program was developed by Sargent Shriver as a part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Struggle on Poverty” in 1965. The assumption that impressed the founding of this system was that low-income older adults throughout America have extraordinary presents to share with weak kids in all kinds of settings. This system is a part of The AmeriCorps Seniors, a community of service packages that yearly helps the engagement of practically 500,000 People 55 years and older, who in trade for his or her service, obtain a stipend, lunch, reimbursement for transportation and coaching. Participation within the FGP volunteer program doesn’t have an effect on any of the members advantages equivalent to Social Safety, SNAP advantages or governmental housing.

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“We are going to proceed to acknowledge these volunteers and their ongoing intensive relationship with the younger kids they serve, serving to to satisfy group wants,” mentioned CAHSD Director Sonia Grice. The volunteers on this program assist kids study to learn and supply one-on-one tutoring; mentor youngsters and younger moms; take care of untimely infants or kids with disabilities; assist kids who’ve been abused or uncared for. Foster Grandparents serve from 5 to 40 hours weekly, in public faculties, Head Begin and day care facilities county-wide.

“Our volunteers not solely construct multigenerational friendships with their assigned kids, but additionally with the employees on the websites the place they serve,” mentioned Shari Garcia, CAHSD’s Aged and Incapacity Division’s Foster Grandparent Program Coordinator.

CAHSD joins the nation in celebrating 50 years of The Foster Grandparent Program and members’ service to the group. People who meet the age and different necessities are inspired to hitch this system by calling (786) 469-4839 and or go to/apply on-line at: www.miamidade.gov/socialservices.