Since 1965, the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents Program (FGP) has provided one-on-one mentoring, nurturing, and support to children with special or exceptional needs, or who are in circumstances that limit their academic, social, or emotional development. Foster Grandparents serve from 10 to 40 hours a week and receive hourly stipends; mileage reimbursement; recognition, and on-going training. Greene Lamp has served as an AmeriCorps Seniors Grantee in both Lenoir and Greene Counties since 2017 and Pitt County since 2021. 

As Foster Grandparents, seniors serve as role models in area Public Schools, Head Start/Early Head Start Centers; Youth Development Centers; Boys and Girls Clubs, Charter Schools, and non-profit After School Programs to name a few. The primary focus area of this project is Education. The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparents are responsible for children demonstrating school readiness gains, improved academic performance, improved social/emotional skills, and improved academic engagement. They assist children with learning to read, provide tutoring and give encouragement to children who need extra attention. While giving of their time, they aid children in growing academically and socially, and help them make better decisions while building self-confidence.

Greene Lamp currently partners with more than 55 AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Volunteers! The actively enrolled grandparents currently volunteer more than 3,150 hours monthly and assist well over 120 children with special or exceptional needs. Worth noting, more than 1,500 children benefit indirectly from the presence of an AmeriCorps Senior volunteer. In doing so, an increased number of children are well on their way to achieving academic, behavioral, and social success! 

The AmeriCorps Seniors FGP is open to volunteers age 55 and over who can serve between 10-40 hours per week and be capable of serving children with exceptional or special needs, or children who are in circumstances that limit their academic, social, or emotional development. Additionally, the volunteer must be willing to abide by the FGP requirements. Volunteers do not need formal experience in tutoring or mentoring. Orientation and on-going training will be provided! As a reminder, the program may offer a tax-free hourly stipend for income eligible volunteers. For more information, please visit Greene Lamp Community Action at 309 Summit Ave. Kinston, NC, or call 252-523-7770 ext. 101 or ext. 329. We look forward to you joining our team!  

Disclaimer

This webpage is supported by Grant Numbers 23SFHNC004 and 24SFHNC001 from AmeriCorps Seniors, a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service. Neither the Corporation for National and Community Service nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this webpage (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of Greene Lamp Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Corporation for National and Community Service and AmeriCorps Seniors.