Volunteer

Foster Grandparent Program

The Senior Volunteers of Catholic Charites Central MN Foster Grandparent Program provide meaningful, supportive intergeneration relationships through tutoring and mentorship that enriches the lives of all involved.

The Foster Grandparent Program partners with schools, early education programs, after-school programs and other non-profit entities serving youth. Kathy Belsheim, Ogilvie Schools Superintendent, shared: “It is beautiful and powerful to see that intergenerational interaction. The Foster Grandparents add value to the kids by helping with schoolwork and just being there.”

In 2023, 195 Foster Grandparent Volunteers served 77,526 hours at 88 volunteer stations across 16 counties in Central MN. Volunteers worked with 9,994 children, 1,375 of the children were identified as having special/exceptional needs.

Teachers filled out a progress report on students at the end of the 2022-2023 school year that worked with Foster Grandparents in the classroom, below are the results of the survey:

School Readiness	Improved
Developing Language Skills	98.7%
Social Skill Development	94.7%
Reading Literacy Skills	98.7%
Math Skills	94.8%

K-12 Tutoring	Improved
Grad Specific: Reading/Literacy Skills	99.0%
Grad Specific: Writing Skills	97.3%
Interest in Reading	96.5%
Grade Specific: Math Skills	97.2%
Academic Engagement	95.5%
Other	Organization, Fine Motor, Letter Formation, Focus, Confidence, Communication, Socialization Skills, Enrichment

K-12 Tutoring	Improved
Grad Specific: Reading/Literacy Skills	99.0%
Grad Specific: Writing Skills	97.3%
Interest in Reading	96.5%
Grade Specific: Math Skills	97.2%
Academic Engagement	95.5%
Other	Organization, Fine Motor, Letter Formation, Focus, Confidence, Communication, Socialization Skills, Enrichment

Important links

Service Description How to Volunteer Host a Grandparent

Have Questions?

Contact Our Program Director or an Area Supervisor

How to Volunteer

Catholic Charities Central MN Foster Grandparent Program offers seniors, ages 55 and over, the opportunity to work with students in local schools, or other non-profit agencies with children who need extra assistance. Typically school “Grandmas” and “Grandpas” work one-on-one with kids who need some extra support and love.

We invite you to participate in this life changing program. Your involvement will positively benefit the lives of countless children, but will undoubtedly improve the quality of your life as well, through the documented health benefits and assurance that your contributions to the community are immense.

Thank you for considering becoming a Foster Grandparent! If you haven’t already, please speak with one of our area supervisors about your interest.

Service Description

Foster Grandparent Resources

Foster Grandparent Quick Guide

Volunteer Station Handbook

Foster Grandparent Injury Reporting

Host a Foster Grandparent

Foster Grandparents have the ability to use their time, skills and experience to help children learn. Foster Grandparents give 8 to 40 hours of service weekly or a minimum of 260 hours to a maximum of 2080 hours annually to community non-profit agencies, including:

Schools
Early education programs
Day treatment programs
Day cares
Social service agencies

Foster grandparents receive a small stipend, training and other benefits for their service.

Organizations benefit from Foster Grandparents presence. Foster grandparents offer:

Focused attention, whether one-on-one or in small groups, on children who need extra help.
The opportunity for children to receive additional emotional support, love and attention.

If you’re interested in having a foster grandparent enrich the lives of children in your organization, please contact Sara Heurung, program director, at (320) 229-4587.

Where We Serve

Foster grandparents volunteer throughout the 16 counties of the Diocese of St. Cloud: Benton, Douglas, Grant, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pope, Sherburne, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena and Wilkin counties.

Currently, over 200 Foster Grandparents are serving nearly 100 sites in these counties.