Fostering Hope for At-Risk Children

About Our Program

Foster Grandparents is a successful nationwide volunteer program that helps seniors use their experience to improve the lives of children in need.

Our Mission Volunteers of America serves the basic needs of the most vulnerable individuals and families in the community.

Volunteer Sites might include infant day care, pre-school or Head Start, elementary or middle school, or youth correctional facilities.  In all activities volunteers provide positive role modeling and mentoring to at-risk children.

Who is Eligible to Serve

Volunteers of America’s Foster Grandparent Program is an initiative that links low income seniors who love children with at-risk children who can benefit from nurturing and mentoring.

Applicants must meet income guidelines, have an annual physical that clears them to volunteer for 20 hours per week, and pass a background check.

The Children We Serve Volunteers of America’s Foster Grandparent Program is available to eligible people regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, marital or parental status, or military service. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

How Our Program Works

During the past year 3,985 children enjoyed the one-on-one attention of 171 Foster Grandparents.

Volunteer Activities Volunteer activities include rocking, feeding, and playing with infants, assisting pre-school children to learn colors, shapes, and develop fine and gross motor skills, tutoring reading and other subjects in elementary school, tutoring, sharing with, interacting with, and mentoring older children.

Volunteers receive a non taxable stipend of $212 per month.  The stipend does not affect benefits such as subsidized housing, Medicaid, Social Security, SSI, etc.  Volunteers also receive assistance with the cost of transportation.

Getting Started as a Foster Grandparent

Details
Volunteers generally attend a 2 hour group interview with other potential volunteers.  This provides an opportunity to learn more about the program, complete necessary paperwork, and begin to get to know the staff. 

The next step is a 20 hour orientation which is held over 4 or 5 days.  Orientation is an opportunity for you to learn more about the program, develop skills that you will use as a Foster Grandparent, and to meet and get to know program staff and other Foster Grandparents.

Benefits
We do pay the stipend for attendance at orientation and also assist with the cost of transportation.
To become a Foster Grandparent Volunteer please contact us.

Foster Grandparent volunteers attend monthly in-service meetings on topics such as Tutoring Tips and Techniques, Stress Management, Healthy Living, and Consumer Fraud and Identity Theft. 

Contact Information

Denver's Volunteers of America Foster Grandparents Program

Director:  Naomi Taggart
Phone (720) 264-3308

Fax (720) 264-3312
Address

2660 Larimer St.
Denver, CO  80205
Website Volunteers of America Foster Grandparents Program