This Year's Project: Volunteer Training
About Our Organization
The Foster Grandparent & Senior Companion Programs of Greater Siouxland strives to engage persons 55 years and older, particulary those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs; and provide a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of volunteers.
Foster Grandparents are classroom grandparents that support children with special needs to improve their academic, social, or emotional development. The volunteers in this program help children in classrooms learn to read, provide one on one tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their lives.
Senior Companion volunteers provide supportive, individualized services to help older adults with special needs maintain their dignity and independance in their homes. Volunteers in this program provide companionship through visiting or even playing cards or games. They may provide transportation to appointments, stores or social events, help with light household tasks, or even offer brief relief services for primary caregivers. Adults serviced receive much love, care, and assistance that many more often than not, cannot get from anywhere else. There is no cost for friendship!
Our office area is located within Siouxland Center for Active Generations.
Current Project: Volunteer Training
Thank you for participating in the Siouxland Big Give!
This year our project supports volunteer training. Each month we hold volunteer training so that our volunteers can better serve individuals within our community. Our volunteers have received training on everything from healthy aging, child development, grief, self-care, safety in the community, ADHD, Dyslexia, mental health, and much more. This year we would love to utilize the Iowa State Extension office for in person training. Training costs $15 per person. We have 40 Foster Grandparent volunteers and 40 Senior Companion Volunteers.
Continuing the Mission
Project Details
Thank you everyone for supporting the Siouxland BIG GIVE!
Our mission is to engage individuals 55 and older in volunteer service to meet critical community needs, in their own communities. Our volunteers receive a monthly stipend from the government to encourage volunteer service. Funds raised in the Siouxland Big Give will be used for continuing operating costs for the program. There is always a need for our volunteers! In the Sioux City community we have a current wait list of 40+ individuals requesting a senior companion volunteer. Local schools are in search for Foster Grandparents to support their classrooms. Please consider a donation to support the future of the Foster Grandparent & Senior Companion Programs of Greater Siouxland. We are grateful to be a part of the Siouxland Community. We thank you for any support raised for our programs!
Volunteer Membership Drive
Project Details
Funds raised in the Siouxland Big Give will be used to revamp our recruitment efforts and grow the program to what it is destined to become... a great opportunity!!! Sioux City is a community where we have a current waiting list of 40+ individuals waiting for a senior companion, and we desire to meet needs for both programs. Schools are asking for Foster Grandparents to support their classrooms. COVID-19 has changed our communities so much, but people still need people!
We are thankful and grateful for any support raised for our programs.
Volunteer Recruitment Efforts
Project Details
Any funds raised in the Siouxland Big Give will be used to revamp our recruitment efforts and grow the program to what it is destined to become... a new opportunity!!! There are under-served areas we desire to meet needs in for both programs. Schools are asking for Foster Grandparents to support their classrooms and there are clients on hold in communities who do not have current volunteers for the Senior Companion Program. COVID-19 has changed our communities so much, but people still need people!
We are thankful and grateful for any support raised for our programs.
Creative Service During Covid Season
Project Details
This year we are in a position where we need to support our volunteers in continuing to do the service they love, safely! We would like to use the funds raised by this campaign to provide virtual opportunities for our volunteers. We could then purchase I-pads or "Grandpads" to allow for Foster Grandparents to connect with classrooms directly online to continue serving the kids safely. Many schools are not allowing our volunteers to serve in person due to guidelines they've set for the school year.
Any excess funds can then be used for PPE for the volunteers that are still able to serve in person. We thank you ahead of time for your donation. Your gift keeps on giving.
Grow Our Volunteer Support
Project Details
Any funds raised in the Siouxland Big Give will be used to purchase recruitment materials and grow the program to what it is destined to become... something great!!! There are underserved areas we desire to meet needs in for both programs. Schools are asking for Foster Grandparents to support their classrooms and there are clients on hold in communities who do not have current volunteers for the Senior Companion Program.
We are thankful and grateful for any support raised for our programs.