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PLAINS TWP. — The Foster Grandparent Program celebrated the holiday season with its annual luncheon Friday at the Woodlands.
Mary Lou Zerfoss, director of the program, said Foster Grandparents are individuals age 55 or older who meet income eligibility standards and who desire to share their life experience with at-risk children. Zerfoss said although the grandparents are considered volunteers, these older Americans work 20 hours per week, receiving a modest, tax-free stipend of $2.65 per hour. Other benefits would include transportation assistance or reimbursement; a free lunch; paid holidays, sick days, vacation days, and personal days; and a yearly, recognition event.
“Perhaps of even more benefit are the immeasurable, nonmaterial effects,” Zerfoss said. “Foster Grandparents report feelings of increased self worth, social contacts, and being needed. They express a strong desire to get up each morning and get moving, of being energized and having a real purpose in life. The program often fills a void in one’s life and eases the despair of loneliness.”
Zerfoss reports that next to newspaper publicity, her best recruitment method is “word of mouth.”
“Those individuals who are serving as Foster Grandparents recruit from among their family, friends, neighbors, and church members,” she said.
Zerfoss explained that there are no special educational requirements or previous training necessary to become a foster grandparent. All it takes is a willingness to give of yourself, an appreciation for the needs of young people, and an open mind and heart.
Each new foster grandparent receives training during a Pre-Service Orientation. On-the-job training is provided by the teacher and staff at the host agencies (schools, day care, etc.) to help ease the adjustment of new recruits.
Assignments are determined by two main factors: location and interests of the seniors. Some individuals relate better to teenagers and older children, while others are more comfortable around the little ones. All placements are made as close to the home of the participants as possible, in an appropriate, enjoyable atmosphere.
On the national level, the program has been operating for nearly 55 years while the local program celebrated its 47th anniversary in June. The Foster Grandparent Program is locally sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging For Luzerne/Wyoming Counties and federally funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Foster Grandparents are answering the President’s Call to Service through membership in the USA Freedom Corps.
Zerfoss said being a foster grandparent promotes strength for the 125 Luzerne and Wyoming county residents who are currently serving. The average age of a foster grandparent is 78, while the youngest is 55 — the oldest turned 96 in July.
Anyone interested in serving in the program can call Zerfoss at 570-822-1158, ext. 2265.
