Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program

Until COVID-19, 200 UPO Foster Grandparents were annually serving 6,000 socio-economically disadvantaged children in Washington, DC. Engaged in tutoring, mentoring, social and emotional support and assisting students in learning programs, proven outcomes are improved school readiness and K-12 success. In response to the restraints we have restructured our UPO Foster Grandparents program to become an integral part of the remote classroom.

• We have continued a service delivery model of working one-on-one and in small groups with 600 students in grades PreK-3rd at 7 schools remotely.
• We have 8 additional schools requesting 32 Foster Grandparents to serve in the remote and Care classrooms (CARE stands for “Canvas Academics and Real Engagement” and is an example of our commitment to maximize learning. In these small-group classrooms, students will have supervised care for the school day from a Foster Grandparent and caring adult who is not their teacher. Students will have the benefit of being with their peers at school but will participate in lessons virtually with their teacher on a computer.)
• Our partnership with Reading Partners will provide students with remote learning opportunities.
• 130 Foster Grandparents will participate in ongoing training via email and ZOOM platform on teaching early literacy, reading, math and social and emotional development.
• We are positioning the program to provide various opportunities under the COVID19 safety protocols and beyond.

Your support at his time in support of these new projects in response to the pandemic will certainly be greatly appreciated

You have an opportunity to double your donation in Support UPO’s Foster Grandparents Program!

Please consider taking advantage of GlobalGiving’s 100% Monthly Match. New monthly donations set up will be eligible for a one-time 100% match (up to $200) as long as the new monthly donation remains active for a minimum of four payments.

Until COVID-19, 200 UPO Foster Grandparents were annually serving 6,000 socio-economically disadvantaged children in Washington, DC. Engaged in tutoring, mentoring, social emotional support and assisting students in learning programs, proven outcomes are improved school readiness and K-12 success. DC Title I Public and Public Charter Schools have reopened virtually.  In response, we are restructuring our UPO Foster Grandparents program to become an integral part of the remote classroom. 

Initially, we will continue a service delivery model of working one-on-one and in small groups with 600 students in grades PreK-3rd at 7 schools.  Our 200 senior volunteers are being provided with laptop computers and training. Students at DC Public and Public Charter Schools have been provided with laptop computers. To assist with homework, art projects, math and vocabulary, our students need remote learning supplies. Our challenge is raising the funds to provide all their essential supplies.

Now IS the time. Together, we’ll make your dollars go further:

GlobalGiving’s Little by Little Matching Campaign runs from 09:00:00 ET on Monday, September 14, 2020, to 23:59:59 ET on Friday, September 18, 2020. During the Little by Little campaign, all eligible donations up to $50 will be matched at 50%!

Your generous Support of  UPO's Foster Grandparents Program, to help us meet our project goal of $15,000, will help us raise $7,500, which will ensure that the cost of essential supplies will be fully funded for at least 60 students.

Until COVID-19 took hold 5 months ago 200 UPO Foster Grandparents were giving over 180,000 volunteer hours annually, serving over 15,000 social economically disadvantaged children at 60 volunteer sites in Washington, DC including Early Head Start/Head Start centers, Elementary Schools and Children's Hospitals. They help the kids who need them most in reading, math, and social-emotional skills.

Schools have been closed and elementary students in DC schools have all been provided laptop computers for virtual learning. Reopening of schools in the fall is questionable. Plans are being made at UPO to get our Foster Grandparents reunited with their students by virtual mentoring. 

A fundraising campaign to provide laptops computers for each of our 200 senior volunteers and helping them with training is underway.  At UPO we treat them like family, and they are eager to return the favor by donating their time and love by getting back to virtual mentoring their students at home or in their classrooms across DC.

Let’s stand with these seniors. Let’s help them get back on track by supporting their efforts.

Now IS the time. Together, we’re making your dollars go farther: Wednesday July 15 is Bonus Day! GlobalGiving will match your donation of $100 to $1,000 donation by up to 50%.

Thank you for everything you can do to support our Campaign to provide laptop computers and training for our Foster Grandparents, enabling them to resume the important volunteer work they do virtual mentoring DC children who need their help.

The coronavirus affects all of us but the most vulnerable are our elders. At UPO we treat them like family, and over 200 of them return the favor by donating their time and love as they mentor young children in classrooms across DC.

Until two weeks ago 200 UPO Foster Grandparents were giving over 180,000 volunteer hours annually, serving over 15,000 social economically disadvantaged children at 60 volunteer sites in Washington, DC including Early Head Start/Head Start centers, Elementary Schools and Children's Hospitals. They help the kids who need them most in reading, math, and social-emotional skills.

Schools are closed right now, of course, but our volunteers are eager to get back to their favorite activity: helping students blossom.

Let’s stand with these seniors. Let’s help them get back on track by supporting their efforts.

Now IS the time. Together, we’re making your dollars go farther: GlobalGiving will match ALL of your online donations up to $50 at 50% from March 23 - 27. We CAN help our elders—now.

Thank you for everything you can do to support our Little by Little Campaign for seniors.

Children's Holiday Party: When UPO held our 30^th annual party, dignitaries joined our staff and volunteers in the huge Catholic University ballroom. Mr. & Mrs. Claus listened to whispered requests, then our partner, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, joined the fun. The 250 children had a blast singing, dancing, playing, and eating…and each one left with a bag of toys! - see attached file for great pictures! Each year this annual party is generously sponsored by corporations and individuals who open up their hearts to provide holiday cheer for social economically disadvantaged DC children.

Each one of you must be celebrating the season with your family and friends and we at UPO wish you all, good friends of UPO, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

During the past year UPO Foster Grandparents gave over 180,000 volunteer hours, serving over 15,000 social economically disadvantaged children at 60 volunteer sites in Washington, DC including Early Head Start/Head Start centers, Elementary Schools and Children's Hospitals. Volunteers engaged in tutoring, mentoring, social emotional support and assisting students in learning programs in cooperation with school systems. Proven outcomes are improved school readiness and K-12 success. As 2019 comes to an end 2020 commences in a week's time our FGP volunteers are committed to generously embark on the challenges ahead.

Your generous support of the UPO FGPs Program this past year has helped us to fund the cost of training, materials, uniforms, and daily travel reimbursement for our FG Parents. We urgently need to refill the coffers to ensure sufficient funding for 2020. Right now with one week of 2019 remaining there are two giving options available to you. Both will benefit UPO's Foster Grandparent Program and whichever you choose, will have a financial benefits to you:

• This project is currently competing for bonus prizes through the 2019 Year - End Campaign: Do you need an additional tax deduction for FY 19? Your generous gift to the FGP Program before 12/31/19 will provide you with that benefit!
• Did you know that one of the most impactful actions you can take as a donor is to start a recurring donation. When you commit a monthly donation to the FGP Program before 12/31/19 Global Giving will MATCH your DECEMBER gift 100%!   

You know your circumstances. Your gift, made either way, will provide you with the warm pleasure of giving to help other less fortunate than you. The UPO Family wishes you a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year for 2020!

• Childrens Holiday Party (PDF)