May 3—WILKES-BARRE — Many older adults want to stay active and engaged with their community.
Jill Emmert, director of the Foster Grandparent Program Luzerne/Wyoming Counties, part of Telespond Senior Services Inc., said the program, serving Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, provides an opportunity for senior volunteers to play a special role in the lives of young children in neighboring school districts and youth centers.
“Foster grandparents work one-on-one with children identified as high-risk or having special needs, supporting their physical, mental, emotional and social development,” Emmert said. “This is a free service available for ages 0 to 21, and the average age of children served is 3 to 5 years old. Foster grandparents meet with children on a weekly basis in pre-K programs, elementary schools, head start programs, and other youth-based facilities.”
Emmert said the Foster Grandparents provides:
—Help with reading and other learning tasks.
—One-on-one conversations and guidance.
—Love and support at critical moments in a child’s life.
To learn more about Telespond Senior Services’ Foster Grandparent Program, call: 570-961-1950.
Recognition Luncheon
The Foster Grandparent Program will hold its Recognition Luncheon from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at The Woodlands Inn and resort.
Emmert said there will be three speakers: Tiffany Ferrentino, principal of Pittston Intermediate; Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown; and Ryan Amos of Northwest Area.
The luncheon honors the volunteers who work in the schools to help children.
Emmert said there is a need for more volunteers for the program.
Schools that can use more volunteers are:
—Crestwood.
—Head Start — Edwardsville, Hazleton, Plains Township and Dallas.
—Wyoming Area — 10th Street Elementary.
—Northwest Primary School.
—Building Blocks — all locations.
Volunteer requirements
—Be 55 years of age or older.
—Meet the current AmeriCorps Seniors Income Guidelines.
—Have 20-plus hours per week availability.
—Enjoy spending time with children.
—Want a tax-free stipend.
Volunteer benefits
—A small tax-free financial stipend that does not endanger your Social Security, SNAP, PACE, rent rebates or other government entitlement programs
—Paid pre-service training and on-going training, vacation time and holidays
—Reimbursement of mileage or public transportation
—The joy of playing a valued role in the life of a child in need
“If becoming a foster grandparent sounds appealing to you, please get in touch,” Emmert said. “We’d love to connect with you and introduce you to a current foster grandparent so you can ask questions and learn more about the program and volunteer benefits.”
Facilities
Foster Grandparents work with children in the following Luzerne and Wyoming County facilities:
—Child Development Council (CDC).
—Crestwood School District.
—Greater Nanticoke Area School District.
—Hazleton Area School District.
—Lake Lehman Early Learning Center.
—Luzerne County Head Start.
—Northwest Area School District.
—Pittston Area School District.
—Wyoming Area School District.
—Wyoming Valley West School District.
—Wilkes-Barre Area School District.
The mission
Helen Schmid, president and CEO, Telespond Senior Services, said Telespond provides life-enriching services to older adults and their families on a community-wide and individual basis.
Since its inception in 1974, Telespond Senior Services has served aging adults and their caregivers in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The programs and organization were designed to encourage activity, promote independence and provide valuable programs and services to enrich the lives of clients and families navigating the aging process.
Schmid said many older adults want to stay active and engaged with their community. The Foster Grandparent Program, serving Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, provides an opportunity for senior volunteers to play a special role in the lives of young children in neighboring school districts and youth centers.
She said Foster Grandparents work one-on-one with children identified as high-risk or having special needs, supporting their physical, mental, emotional and social development.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.