Happy New Year to all!

Now that the dust has settled from welcoming in the New Year, it might be time to consider participating in either the Foster Grandparent or the Senior Companion volunteer programs. Participation will allow you to be part of a unique AmeriCorps Seniors service team, and it will improve your health and longevity because you will develop new personal connections, help others in need, and experience joy by making a difference in your community.

 Foster Grandparents enrich young children’s lives by serving as mentors to young people who need extra support in the classroom. Foster Grandparents provide guidance, comfort, and love necessary to put a child on a path to a brighter future. Senior Companions use their talents to help older adults who need assistance with daily tasks remain living independently for as long as possible. Senior Companions often become friends with their clients because they regularly participate in social activities and engage in meaningful conversation together.

 In 2023, our Senior Companion volunteers helped over 50 older adults by providing them with loving encouragement, companionship, and support. Our Foster Grandparent volunteers helped over 40 young students in the Greater New Haven area, building the children’s self-confidence and developing life skills necessary for success.

 Our Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent volunteers were certainly busy last year, but we predict the best is yet to come! All volunteers have shown their desire to do more by stepping up and re-committing to volunteering in these programs in 2024. We are so grateful to have such wonderful AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers. Your caring and passion is infectious, and we appreciate all that you do!

 If you are interested in joining this special group of volunteers and want to learn more, please contact Judy Neron at 203-752-3059 for additional information.