Helping Children to Thrive
When you share your time, experience, and love, you have a chance to make a difference in a child’s life. Foster grandparents work with children in Dane County schools, Head Start Programs and community centers, helping them to be successful learners. They are consistent, caring role models providing one-on-one adult attention. Put simply, they provide the kind of unconditional love that sets a child on a path to a secure future.
Who is Eligible to be a Foster Grandparent?
To be eligible, you must:
- Be age 55 or older
- Be able to work at least 5 hours per week
- Be able to travel to nearby volunteer sites or public schools (transportation costs can be reimbursed)
- Have a willing heart, a lot of love and the desire to work with children
Benefits of the Program
Foster grandparent volunteers benefit from an in-depth orientation program, ongoing training, interaction with others in the program and reimbursement of transportation costs. A tax-free stipend is provided for participants who meet income guidelines.
When you volunteer, you aren’t just helping others—you’re helping yourself as well. Volunteering leads to new discoveries and new friends—and studies show seniors who volunteer live longer and have a more positive outlook on life.
Become a Foster Grandparent
To find out more about becoming a foster grandparent, contact Laura Mikkelson at 608-441-7894 or . For information on other ways to work with children, visit our Intergenerational page.
Additional Resources
National Corporation for Service Foster Grandparent Program
Foster Grandparent State Coordinator
Watch an interview with Foster Grandparent Charlotte Rankin on Buzzed in Madison.
This video, from the national Foster Grandparent Program, provides more information.