Assist and mentor disadvantaged children and youth
Do you like to work with children? The Foster Grandparent Program provides an opportunity for low-income seniors to earn a small income while working with high-risk children in 26 different settings. As a Foster Grandparent you will work in hospitals, schools, substance abuse treatment programs, day care centers, or other programs that help high-risk, ill, and special needs children. Foster Grandparents serve twenty hours each week and receive a minimal tax-free stipend of $2.65 per hour. To participate you must be age 60 or older with an income that is less than $1,100 for a single person and $1,485 for a couple. Some deductions may also be applied that would allow participation in some circumstances.
The Foster Grandparent Program is a Federal grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service sponsored by Salt Lake County Aging Services. The Program has a dual focus in that it serves children with special needs through the talent, time and experience of Salt Lake County residents that are willing to serve 20 hours per week.
There are many benefits to being a Foster Grandparent volunteer. There is a financial reimbursement of $2.65 per hour for the 20 hours of service each week, transportation reimbursement to and from the service site, a meal provided at the service site, recognition and other benefits. The money that is provided is non taxable, not considered income and does not effect other entitlements such as subsidized housing, Medicaid, food stamps, social security, or SSI.
Foster Grandparents serve at a variety of settings throughout Salt Lake County. These sites include elementary schools, hospital and day care settings, facilities for troubled youth, special education schools, and treatment centers for teens. The Grandparents are the caring adult that these children need to assist them in succeeding. Grandparents tutor, help students learn living skills, and provide the one to one care and love that many children do not have in their life. Although the financial reimbursements help the grandparent volunteers that are low income, what they really receive from serving is the feeling of satisfaction of helping a child grow and succeed to a higher level of potential.
For more information:
Contact: Jill Livingston, Foster Grandparent Program Assistant
Telephone: (801) 468-2855
E-mail: jlivingston@slco.org
If you are interested in the Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program, please visit : http://www.aging.slco.org/volunteerprograms/volfgp.xml
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