Foster Grandparent Program

In partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service, OCWCOG recruits and matches volunteers to children aged five to 18 in Benton, Lincoln, and Linn Counties to participate in its Foster Grandparent Program. The program is intergenerational, providing volunteers age 55 and over the opportunity to mentor, nurture, and support children with special or exceptional needs, or who are at an academic, social, or financial disadvantage. OCWCOG leverages the skills of Foster Grandparents to improve school readiness and help children gain academic confidence to excel in school.  The Foster Grandparent Program is funded in part by the Early Learning Hub of Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Counties.

Foster Grandparents:

  • Work with students with exceptional needs,
  • Are 55 years of age or older,
  • Can volunteer 5 hours or more weekly,
  • Have limited income,
  • Receive an hourly tax-exempt stipend, and
  • Are reimbursed for meals and mileage.

Interested in volunteering? Volunteers must be 55 years or older, and are subject to a criminal history background check. 

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteering and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation's most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-tern, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.govAmeriCorps Seniors includes three core programs: Foster Grandparents Program, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, and Senior Companion Program.


Contact Us

Benton and Linn Counties
541-812-0849

Lincoln County
541-574-2684

Nationwide
800-942-2677

aseniors@ocwcog.org

americorps seniors logo