Community Action Partnership ofWestern Nebraska, Ameri-Corps Seniors and Bridgeport Elementary Schools are celebrating the Foster Grandparent program, nearly sixty years after the program began in Nebraska in 1965.
Bridgeport has been blessed to have several foster grandparents over the years. Currently, Bridgeport Elementary is served by Darlene Richards, who has been a part of the program for the past 21 years, and Kim Vondy, who joined the program this school year.
Foster grandparents connect with children one on one in elementary schools, Head Start centers, and day cares.They help with an array of activities, including reading to youngsters, helping them with schoolwork and working with them on special projects. According to promotional material put out by the community action health center, foster grandparents, “Act as role models, they gain trust, encourage good manners, and basic skills that children need to be successful adults.”
