Volunteer opportunities change lives, including yours! Just ask Helen who has volunteered with our Foster Grandparent Program for over 16 years!
Volunteer Foster Grandparents are special people. The children we serve need volunteer grandparents to thrive! We prioritize support for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with exceptional needs. The extra attention and mentorship provided are critical to school readiness and academic success. Helen Wiencek has devoted 16 years to the YW3CA Foster Grandparent Program. Throughout her time in the Pottstown School District, she has profoundly impacted the lives of countless children, teachers, and parents. However, Helen reluctantly decided to retire from the program this year and was honored for her achievements at a recent event.
When asked about her retirement, Helen shared, “I am retiring and already hate it.” She struggled to hold back tears as she continued,
“I just love the children so much, and I am going to miss them dearly.”
With more than 30 Foster Grandparent volunteers, YW has greatly impacted over 85 students in Montgomery County. Together these volunteers spent more than 13,975 hours helping students in local classrooms learn to read, write and regulate their emotions.
The estimated value of these hours is over $254,000, but as Chief Mission Impact Officer Kelly Grosser said: “We can quantify it but ultimately it is priceless.“ Thank you to all our Foster Grandparents, teachers, and staff for making this program possible.
To volunteer with FGP or explore other rewarding opportunities visit:
About the FGP Program
The Foster Grandparent Program is part of AmeriCorps Seniors, administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that supports service and volunteering programs to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement.
