Imagine walking into a classroom where a kind, caring senior sits beside a child, helping them read or just offering encouragement with a warm smile. That’s the essence of the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)—a powerful, people-centered initiative where older adults provide mentorship, love, and support to children who need it most.
In plain terms, the Foster Grandparent Program connects seniors aged 55 and older with children and youth facing challenges such as learning disabilities, abuse, neglect, or poverty. These “foster grandparents” are not biological grandparents—they’re volunteer mentors who offer time, care, and consistency.
Simple Definition – Foster Grandparent Program
The Foster Grandparent Program is a federally funded volunteer program that allows older adults (55+) to support children with special or exceptional needs by mentoring, tutoring, and guiding them in schools, daycare centers, youth programs, or other community settings.
It’s a national service program under AmeriCorps Seniors, but it operates locally—community by community, heart by heart.
What’s the Purpose Behind It?
The program has a dual mission:
- Help children thrive—especially those who need extra attention, love, or academic help.
- Empower seniors to stay active, purposeful, and connected to their communities.
It’s about mutual benefit. Children get trusted adult role models. Seniors stay engaged and emotionally fulfilled. It’s intergenerational magic.
Who Are the Foster Grandparents?
They’re adults 55 and older from all walks of life—retired teachers, veterans, homemakers, factory workers. What they all have in common is a desire to give back.
Many are living on limited incomes, so the program provides a small, tax-free stipend to help cover expenses. But make no mistake—these aren’t paid jobs. They’re service roles, filled with purpose, not profit.
Where Do They Serve?
Foster Grandparents volunteer in:
- Public and private schools
- Head Start programs
- After-school centers
- Juvenile detention centers
- Hospitals and shelters
Wherever children need guidance, foster grandparents are there—with patience, wisdom, and open hearts.
What Do They Actually Do?
The tasks vary depending on the setting, but here’s what you’ll typically see:
- Helping kids read one-on-one
- Tutoring in math or writing
- Mentoring youth in need of emotional support
- Providing comfort to infants in hospitals
- Offering encouragement and structure to children with behavioral challenges
The common thread? Consistent, compassionate presence. For a lot of these kids, their foster grandparent is the most stable adult relationship in their lives.
Who Benefits from This Program?
Children & Youth
- Get individualized attention and care
- Improve academic and social skills
- Build self-esteem and emotional resilience
- Feel seen, heard, and supported
Foster Grandparents
- Gain renewed purpose and routine
- Improve mental and physical health
- Combat loneliness and isolation
- Receive modest financial support (stipend, transportation, meals, etc.)
Communities
- Strengthen intergenerational bonds
- Reduce education gaps
- Enhance community service culture
- Foster empathy and inclusion
Real-Life Example
Take Mrs. Delores, a retired nurse from Ohio. At 70, she became a foster grandparent at a local elementary school. She worked with a first-grader named Jordan, who struggled with reading and confidence. Every day, Delores sat beside him, reading picture books and celebrating every small win.
By the end of the school year, Jordan had improved a full grade level—and Mrs. Delores found a renewed sense of joy and purpose. That’s the Foster Grandparent Program in action: changing two lives at once.
Is There a Catch?
Not really—but like any program, it has requirements:
- Must be 55 or older
- Commit to a minimum of 15–40 hours a week
- Pass a background check
- Be low-income (to qualify for stipend support, though anyone can volunteer without the stipend)
And yes, the application process includes training. But the reward? Priceless.
