Southern University Shreveport Caddo/Bossier/Desoto Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for the nation’s volunteer and service efforts with AmeriCorps, the federal funding agency. The Foster Grandparent Program provides grants to organizations with a dual purpose: to engage Americans 55 years and older in volunteer service and to provide one-on-one support to children with special needs to improve their academic, social, or emotional development. The volunteers in this program help children learn to read and provide one-on-one tutoring; mentor trouble teenagers and young mothers; care for premature infants or children with disabilities; help children who have been abused or neglected. Through the SUSLA AmeriCorps Seniors Caddo/Bossier/Desoto Foster Grandparent Volunteer Programs serving as tutors and mentors providing needed strong, consistent relationships with caring adults that help build confidence and life skills with youth.

The Foster Grandparent program connects role models like you to children and young people with exceptional needs. The AmeriCorps Seniors SUSLA Caddo/Bossier/Desoto Foster Grandparent Program offers seniors 55 and older the opportunity to serve as mentors, tutors and loving caregivers for youth with special needs. Volunteers serve in a variety of locations throughout the community, including schools, after school summer camp, Head Start, and youth centers. The personal attention offered by the FGP’s helps youth grow, gain confidence and succeed as productive members of society. In return, Foster Grandparents receive the joy of being needed within their communities.