An Opportunity

Here is Sonja Workman, Program Director for the Blue Valley Community Action, Inc., Foster Grandparents Program.  She offices in Beatrice to serve an 11 county area in SE Nebraska. The FGP is part of Senior Corps, a network of national service programs that provide older Americans the opportunity to put their life experiences to work for local communities. Foster Grandparents serve as one-on-one tutors and mentors to more than 2,900 young Nebraskans. While considered volunteers, they are paid $2.55/hour and work a minimum of 15 hours/week and a maximum of 40.  Perspective Foster Grandparents are subject to security screening and other requirements. She told of the bonding which takes place and the impact that either male or female Foster Grandparents can have on children. They have some 50 such Grandparents in her 11 county area and are interested in recruiting in Seward County. Their most elderly Foster Grandparent is 94 years old and she says that once people get started serving, they are reluctant to give it up. While the satisfaction of helping to positively shape young lives is the primary motivation,  the money helps too in some cases.