 Foster
grandparents are low-income seniors who are matched with
children to provide individual assistance and love to children in
schools, day cares and Head Start centers. Foster grandparents
provide supportive relationships, friendship, love, encouragement,
guidance, stability and emotional support, as well as assist
teachers with a variety of activities. Foster grandparents also
listen, talk, sing, assist in feedings, tutor and promote literacy
through reading and being read to by children.The Community
Action Partnership of Central Illinois coordinates the program in
DeWitt, Fulton, Logan, Macon, Mason, Menard and Piatt counties.
Previously individuals had to be 60 and older to participate in
the program, but the age has been lowered to 55. The income
eligibility has also been raised to 200 percent of the poverty
level. Participants in the program earn a tax-free stipend, lunches,
travel reimbursement, paid vacation and sick leave, and 13 paid
holidays.
Annually, the foster grandparents are recognized at a
Thanksgiving luncheon and recognition banquet. The biggest reward
comes from giving help to the children and seeing their improvement.
Interested individuals should call Paula Gregg at 217-732-2159,
ext. 237, to find out more information. Any day cares, school
districts and preschools are also encouraged to contact Gregg to
become a site for foster grandparents. There is no cost to be a
site.
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The Community Action Foster Grandparent program has been active in
the community for 44 years. Lots of children in the community have
benefited from the foster grandmas and grandpas and there are
opportunities available now.
For more information about Community Action, visit
www.capcil.org.
(See letter
from a child who loved the foster grandma she had at school.) [Text from file received from
Community Action Partnership of
Central Illinois]
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