Felton Institute’s Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is a child-centric plan providing the opportunity for children to connect with seniors on a daily basis, using life experiences to help them learn new skills and gain the confidence needed to succeed.

The Foster Grandparent Program offers a multigenerational avenue for developing meaningful relationships, deep connections and shared experiences that are long-lasting. We place AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers into our Foster Grandparent Program. They are older adults ages 55 and older who offer support, love and wisdom to children and youth in the San Francisco Bay Area. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers are matched within childcare and school settings to help children with literacy and other developmental activities. They serve between 15 and 30 hours a week in preschools, elementary schools and various community settings.

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in our Foster Grandparent Program are tutors, mentors and friends who enrich young lives by sharing knowledge and experience through one-on-one classroom activities, group activities, reading support, creative play, field trips and much more. They have a passion for helping children and youth to succeed. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers bring their unique talents, kindness, focus and consistency to the children they support, who often do not have an older adult with whom to connect.

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers receive a small, hourly, Receive a small, TAX-FREE hourly stipend (that will not affect governmental benefits) and transportation reimbursement for their contribution. Applicants must be age 55 or older with a max income of $2,265/month (if single) or $3,052/month (if married) in order to receive a federal stipend.

The Foster Grandparent Program offers many benefits to AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, children and youth. One of the most important benefits of our program for volunteers is they remain physically and mentally active. Many AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers report that the quality of their lives is greatly improved through participation in our Foster Grandparent Program.