C.Oregon foster grandparents sought

Over the past three years, the Central Oregon Council On Aging has had the privilege to administer the Foster Grandparent Program in Central Oregon.

This program has two purposes: first to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to school age children identified as being at-risk for failing in academics or citizenship; the second is to provide volunteer employment for low income persons 55 years of age and older who have the desire and aptitude to help young students succeed in school studies and life skills.

FGP participation in the Lunch & Learn as well as the Migrant Education programs is an outstanding opportunity for our volunteers to sharpen and maintain their tutoring skills during the schools’ summer vacation period. Thus the program functions year round.

Central Oregon Council On Aging sees the Foster Grandparent Program as an integral part of its intergenerational strategy that assists children in learning from and truly appreciating what elders provide to their growth and development.

The program enhances the education to the children served while providing the senior volunteer a real purpose to make a difference in his/her community. The intergenerational benefits positively impact our community.

The COCOA FGP program subscribes to and follows the Foster Grandparent Program motto: Share Today: Shape Tomorrow.

If you are 55 years of age living in any community in Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, or Wasco counties and have a since desire to make a difference with children’s school success, the COCOA FGP wants YOU.

To find out more, call the Central Oregon Council On Aging at 541-678-5483 and ask for the Foster Grandparent Program Director.