Maria Staples, project director for Penquis Foster Grandparent Program, was the guest speaker at the July meeting of the Greater Augusta AARP Chapter 511. The meeting was held at the Cohen Community Center in Hallowell.
Penquis covers 14 counties in Maine. Staples, who has worked for Penquis for more than 30 years, gave a presentation and video about the program.
The Foster Grandparent Program places income eligible volunteers (household earnings of $30,120 single or $40,880 couple) 55 years of age or older in public or nonprofit settings such as schools, Head Start centers and correctional facilities to serve as tutors and mentors to children and youth with special needs.
Volunteers commit to 10-15 hours per week during the school year or five hours a week with Head Start as it’s year-round. Benefits include a monthly $200 non-taxable stipend, liability insurance, mileage reimbursement, snow days and earned vacation time, according to a news release from the AARP chapter.
For more information, email [email protected].
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