The Central Missouri Foster Grandparent Program is looking for volunteers to assist children while in school.
The program is open to income eligible adults ages 55 and older who are available to serve 15-40 hours each week. Their responsibilities will be to sit in with students in class and assist students with development in reading, motor, social and learning skills.
No formal experience is needed to qualify for the Foster Grandparent Program. All that is needed is a patient and caring heart. However, a brief orientation and training session will be applied prior to service in the classrooms.
Volunteers are assigned to schools, head start centers, child care centers and after-school programs, as well as youth programs.
As the hours are not extensive, the position does come with a handful of benefits - a tax-free hourly stipend, ongoing training, mileage reimbursement, paid personal time off and a flexible schedule. Of course, volunteers may also enjoy making new friends and the concept of making a difference in the life of a child, as well as a difference in the community.
As of yet, the program is available in ten counties in central Missouri including Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Monroe, Moniteau, Osage and Randolph.
For more information, call Central Missouri Community Action at 573-443-8706 to reach Julie at extension 1131 or Kim at 1129. Their office is located at 800 North Providence Road in Columbia. The program can also be found on Facebook at Central Missouri Foster Grandparent Program.