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Shaping the future

Foster Grandparents needed in area schools

-Messenger file photo
Foster Grandma Bonnie Russell helps Patrick Clay, then in second grade, read a book at her desk in the hallway at Feelhaver Elementary in May 2017. Russell was one of five Foster Grandmas at the school, reading in the hallway and helping out within in the classrooms.

Those looking for a volunteer opportunity who enjoy working with children should look no further than the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP).

FGP is a program for men and women aged 55 and older who would like to work with younger students. The grandparents go into local schools and work one-on-one with students who may need a little extra help. The program has been active in Iowa since 1973.

Program Director Molly Schaeffer said the program is very low on volunteers right now.

“At times we’ve had up to 40 volunteers, but right now I think we have only about 14,” she said.

Schaeffer said the main reason for the lack of volunteers is due to COVID-19.

“For a year the grandparents weren’t allowed to go into the schools and then many decided not to come back or are still nervous about coming back due to the pandemic. Some are on leave because they’ve been sick or are worried about getting sick,” she said.

Schaeffer said some volunteers also have gotten older and were unable to participate in the program anymore.

“I’m hoping we can get some younger volunteers. Maybe people who just retired, but want to give a little back to the community,” she said.

The main duties of the grandparents are to work with younger students, usually third grade and younger, with anything they may be struggling with.

“The teachers are the ones that identify the students that need extra help. They typically would be helping those children get ready for the day and getting their supplies out and then as they start the first lesson a child would come to the grandparent one-on-one and they would work on whatever the teacher has assigned them,” said Schaeffer.

Schaeffer said grandparents benefit just as much as the students from the program.

“The Foster Grandparents are well respected in the community. They are more active because they’re getting up and getting out and going in and they’re shaping the future with these children that are growing up,” she said. “Whether it’s teachers, a fellow grandparent, or the students, they can sit and talk with them and they get some social interaction out of it as well. And there’s just the satisfaction of being able to give back.”

The volunteers do receive training before they begin in the schools and then have ongoing training monthly for 10 months of the year.

Eligible volunteers can receive a stipend if they meet the income requirements and all volunteers receive meal and transportation reimbursement. Scheffer said most volunteers work between five and 40 hours a week, depending on their availability.

Schaeffer said the program is funded by a federal grant through AmeriCorps. While the city does sponsor the program, it is not a city program and very little cost is incurred by the city besides a small fund match for the grant.

For more information or to volunteer, call 515-576-5401.

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