City’s Foster Grandparent Program Celebrates 46 Years Of Service

The work of more than 130 Foster Grandparents who help mentor children will be honored at a special luncheon on Friday, April 20. Themed “Volunteers…the Heart of the Foster Grandparent Program”, the event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Olmsted, 3701 Frankfort Ave.

Participants in the Louisville Metro Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) are individuals 55 years or older who tutor and assist children with special or exceptional learning needs in essential skills such as reading, writing and math, while offering the basic guidance of a mentor, advocate and friend. Currently, more than 130 Foster “Grannies” and “Grandpas” share their compassion and caring at over 28 sites including Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), Boys & Girls Clubs and several faith-based community centers and after school programs.

Now in its 53rd year nationwide, the Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) was initiated in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act and is federally sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Locally, FGP has been operating in our community for 46 years and is part of Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS). By the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year, FGP volunteers served 500 children and youth and logged nearly 132,000 hours of services.

At this year’s celebration, Foster Grandparents and their guests will be joined by volunteer station representatives, Senior Corps Advisory Council members, RCS staff and other guests. One special feature will be the presentation of milestone achievement awards to individuals serving 5,10,15,20 and 25 years as a Foster Grandparent.  And the “Volunteer Parade of Hats” is back by popular hand.

“Our Foster Grannies and Grandpas are wonderful individuals who not only contribute to children’s learning but also bring warmth and caring to the classroom”, stated Gena Redmon Harris, director of the Office of Resilience and Community Services. “The FGP volunteers make a positive difference and lasting impact in the lives of hundreds of Louisville youth each year.”

Foster Grandparent volunteers provide a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 40 hours of service per week and income eligibility may qualify for a minimal tax-free, hourly stipend, meal and transportation reimbursement as well as free supplemental accident and liability insurance while serving. For more information on how you can become a Louisville Metro Foster Grandparent, please call (502) 574-7307 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/foster-grandparent-program-fgp