The Foster Grandparent Program is a service project which gives senior citizens the opportunity to share their lifetime skills, talents and abilities with special needs children and young adults. As volunteers, Foster Grandparents spend 20 hours each week at local elementary schools, daycare centers, head start sites, hospitals, detention centers and group homes. Serving as positive role models,Foster Grandparents give one-to-one attention, encouragement and support to children needing assistance in overcoming physical, mental, social and emotional obstacles.

Whether cuddling an abused infant, tutoring a second grader, or mentoring a teen mother, Foster Grandparents make a remarkable difference. Their presence ensures that special needs children are receiving additional individualized support, encouragement and companionship. By providing a stable, loving presence in a young person’s life, Foster Grandparents are building bridges between the younger and older generations.

In improving the lives of the children they serve, Foster Grandparents are profoundly improving their own lives. While remaining active and making valuable contributions to their communities, Foster Grandparents experience improved health, welfare and quality of life.

Foster Grandparents must be 55 years of age and older, in good health, able to serve a minimum of 20 hours a week, have access to reliable transportation, and meet income eligibility requirements. In return for their service, foster grandparents receive an hourly stipend of $2.65 (equaling $2,677 a year). The stipend is tax free and cannot be counted as income to reduce benefits, such as SSI, Medicaid, rent subsidies, food stamps and other senior benefits. All transportation expenses associated with their FGP assignment are reimbursed.

For more information on becoming a Foster Grandparent, please contact:

Foster Grandparent Program
401 S. Midler Ave
Syracuse NY 13206
Phone: 295-0719
Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday

Funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the New York State Office for the Aging.