FOSTER GRANDPARENTS SOUGHT TO HELP SOUTHEAST MISSOURI SCHOOLS

SIKESTON -- If you want to make a difference in someone's life and you're 60 or older, the Foster Grandparent Program may be what you're looking for. They need you now more than ever.

For the first time in its 25 years in Sikeston, the program is experiencing a shortage of volunteers and Jolene Walker is hoping the situation won't last long.

Still, she worries. As part of the annual grant used to keep the Foster Grandparent Program going, a required 52,200 manpower hours must be maintained each year. Failing to do so puts the program at risk for losing the needed funding."I wish I knew why we're having such a time finding people to be Foster Grandparents," said Walker, director of the program. "I think one problem is we're losing a lot of our Foster Grandparents to illness and to those going on sick leave. It also might be that people just don't understand the program."Currently there are 57 Foster Grandparents ranging from age 62 to 90 in the program. Typically there are 65 volunteers.

Foster Grandparent Program volunteers serve 20 hours a week at public schools in Sikeston, East Prairie and Poplar Bluff, as well as in Head Start schools.

Throughout the years those who've volunteered to be Foster Grandparents have played vital roles in changing the lives of countless at-risk youths who need one-on-one attention and have special and/or exceptional needs. Each grandparent's interests and skills are matched as closely as possible to the assignment given.

In return, Foster Grandparent Program participants receive various benefits, including transportation to and from assignments, being honored at an annual recognition banquet and free annual physical examinations.

Volunteers receive a stipend of $2.55 per hour which will not affect their Social Security. In addition they are covered by accident, personal liability and when appropriate, excess automobile liability insurance."We try to provide them with a lot of incentives such as giving them all holidays off and when school dismisses because of snow we pay them for that too," Walker noted. "The teachers and the principals feel their grandparents are their very own, they become part of the family."Currently the program serves 16 volunteer stations in Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Butler counties.

For more information contact Walker at (573) 471-8676.