Shore Up Foster Grandparents program looking for volunteers
SALISBURY, Md. – A program set out to bring elderly individuals and children on Delmarva together.
It’s called the Foster Grandparents program. “That embracement with them children is important,” says volunteer Lamont T. Spates I.
Senior citizens and children are connecting through classrooms on the Eastern Shore in the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents Program. “Senior volunteers age 55 and older go into the headstart, early head start, and the public school system, as mentors, and they support children with school readiness,” says Program Director Joyce Farrare.
“It’s an experience that volunteer of 2 years, Beverly Jackson describes as a full support system. “We’re there and the teachers use us not only just for support, they use us for guidance, to read we help them with homework, whatever’s needed,” says Jackson.
Also volunteering in the program for 10 years, Sandra Whiting says this program helps individuals on both ends. “Some of my students I need them as well as they need me, some times I might go to work not feeling well, and they’ll say “mom mom are you okay?” and I’m like “mom mom not feeling too good this morning,” and they’ll say “mom mom it’s going to be okay,” says Whiting.
Ms. Whiting says she loves what she does and volunteer Lamont T. Spates I says that this is a great program to be a part of but they need some more help. “But we’re here ad we’re strong, we need more men, that are willing to come in here and love these babies cause that’s what we do best,” says Spates.
Program Director Joyce Fararre says this program means love for all. “Because it supports the teachers, it supports the children, and it also helps to develop children skill concepts by having volunteers there, the mom moms and the pop pops that nurture, embrace, and just provide that extra set of hands, and also that love on a daily basis,” she adds.
The Program helps all 4 counties on the shore and you can help out by becoming a volunteer. For more information about the program visit Shore Up’s website and you can reach them at 410-749-1142. This opportunity does come with a stipend, however there are requirements you have to meet in order to participate.
