FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM - UCAN

FOSTERGRANDPARENTPROGRAMConnecting seniors withspecial childrenChildren who live in limited income communitiesor who suffer from mental and physical challengesoften need special care to grow, gain confidence,and thrive. Teachers and parents have many pressingdemands on their limited time and cannot alwaysprovide the children with the intense and specializedattention they might need..This is where foster grandparents canhelp. The senior volunteers who work asfoster grandparents give children plentyof extra affection, wisdom, and support –just the way a loving grandparent would.These senior volunteers provide friendship,assistance, and one-on-one mentorship totheir young charges. They are intenselyappreciated, not only by the children theyhelp every day, but also by the organizationsthey service, such as schools, daycare centers, rehabilitation centers, andHeadstart programs.WHAT FOSTERGRANDPARENTS DOOur foster grandparents spend fromfifteen to forty hours each week helpingchildren on a one-on-one basis, generallyin a school setting, providing support toat-risk children who are pre-school orschool-aged.As mentors, they assist with homework,listen to the children, provide emotionalsupport, and offer praise, feedback, andpositive reinforcement. Often, fostergrandparents become true role modelsfor the children they assist.A relationship with a foster grandparenthas huge benefits for the child. At the sametime, it provides significant benefits to thesenior volunteer as well. The volunteersexperience the satisfaction of helpingyoungsters grow, mature, and preparefor successful and self-sufficient futures.Even the many seniors with grandchildrenof their own find that this connectionbrings extra joy and fulfillment.

ABOUT UCANUCAN (Uhlich Children’s AdvantageNetwork) was founded in 1869 as a CivilWar orphanage, UCAN serves wards ofthe state who have suffered severe abuseor neglect as well as foster families andfamilies in crisis.BENEFITS OF BEING AFOSTER GRANDPARENTBeyond the satisfaction of making adifference in a child’s life, fostergrandparents receive:– A small tax-free stipend– Transportation assistance or reimbursementto and from volunteer stations– Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation days– Free lunches on work days– Formal and informal recognition eventsWHERE FOSTERGRANDPARENTS SERVEFoster grandparents work in the communitiesof south suburban Cook County.There are 28 volunteer stations in ChicagoHeights, Ford Heights, Riverdale, Harvey,Markham, Robbins, Matteson, RichtonPark, Calumet City, Maywood, Bellwood,Oak Park, Olympia Fields, and Park Forest.At each of these stations, foster grandparentsoffer support and guidance tochildren whose families are working toovercome educational, developmental,and/or economic challenges.TO BECOME A VOLUNTEERContact:Tracee Marion – Director10046 S. Western AvenueChicago, IL 60643Phone: (773) 429.9335Fax: (773) 429.0200mariont@ucanchicago.orgLillian Scruggs – Coordinator10046 S. Western AvenueChicago, IL 60643Phone: (773) 429.9308scruggsl@ucanchicago.orgFOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAMConnecting seniors with special children10046 S. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60643P. (773) 429.9335 F. (773) 429.0200www.ucanchicago.org