Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program

Today, youth make up 16% of the world’s population, the largest ever in history. Children around the world experience extreme poverty.

Children in Washington DC make up 21% of the Districts population, 26% of DC’s youth experience poverty.

There were 36,707 children living in poverty in Washington DC in 2015 according to an ACS Census.  

More than 15,000 socioeconomically disadvantaged DC children at 60 volunteer sites including Early Head Start/Head Start centers, Elementary Schools and Children’s Hospitals, receive over 180,000 volunteer hours of service annually from dedicated UPO Foster Grandparents (UPO FGPs)

• The children receive tutoring, mentoring, social emotional support and are assisted in learning programs by UPO FGPs in cooperation with school systems.
• The children derive the benefit of verified outcomes of improved school readiness and K-12 success.
• The children are given a warm mix of academic acumen, nurturing and much needed attention by their UPO FGPs, which these low-income children so richly deserve.
• The children are the beneficiaries of UPO’s mission to Unite People with Opportunities thanks to the generosity of volunteer UPO FGPs.

Youth continue to act as community leaders and peacemakers. The theme for International Youth Day on Saturday August 12, 2017, is “Youth Building Peace” to recognize the youth efforts in creating sustainable change. Every day our children give us hope for a better future and a reason to fight for it.

GlobalGiving has announced the International YOUTH MATCH CAMPAIGN WEEEK, which will benefit its partners whose programs work for the benefit of children like we do in “Support UPO’s Foster Grandparent’s Program”.

Starting on Monday, August 7^th at 9:00am EDT until Saturday, August 12^th at 11:59pm EDT

• UPO will be eligible to receive a 100% Match on online donations made to “Support UPO’s Foster Grandparent’s program during the YOUTH MATCH CAMPAIGN WEEEK.

• Additionally UPO will receive a 100% Match on all recurring donations to “Support UPO’s Foster Grandparent’s Program” started during the YOUTH MATCH CAMPAIGN WEEEK.

We are truly grateful for your past support.

Please join in honoring our generous Super Heroes, 200 volunteer UPO FGPs, in gratitude for all they do daily for more than 15,000 low-income DC children by make a generous donation during this YOUTH MATCH CAMPAIGN WEEK, at least equivalent to your past donation, to “Support UPO’s Foster Grandparent’s Program”!

Your generous gift plus the 100% Match will help to make a significant difference in the lives of low-income children in DC.

One more request. Please share this message with family and friends.

Established in 1965, UPO’s Foster Grandparent Program trains low-income seniors with caring spirits to provide critical mentoring and support to Washington DC children in a variety of local settings. The Foster Grandparent Program provides fulfilling volunteer service opportunities for individuals 55 years and older. This program is an opportunity for seniors to give back by sharing their experience and wisdom with children who value and cherish the lessons. This program operates at 50 locations in the District of Columbia and includes early education centers, public and charter schools, before and after-school programs, as well as youth programs. Each year, more than 200 Foster Grandparents put in more than 175,000 volunteer service hours, serving more than 15,000 social economically disadvantaged children. – working one-on-one or in small groups. Foster Grandparents serve where the need is the greatest and because of this, our youth receive tremendous academic benefits alongside life-changing personal development.

Hear some of the accolades about how much they enjoy their work from two of UPO’s Foster Grandparent Superstars:

“As part of UPO’s Foster Grandparent program, I’m a volunteer at Malcom X Elementary School. I help classroom teachers with the daily lessons and I read to the children. I haven’t missed a day since I started years ago. I love going every day to hear the children say “Mama, help me with my work.” It’s overwhelming. Sometimes I get so full I want to cry. But I’m just happy that I’m able to do something and give something back to our children.” see attached picture

“UPO has given me an opportunity to work with young people. And, since working with UPO’s Foster Grandparents, I have worked with DC youth from different parts of the city. I enjoy what I do. UPO offers many locations to volunteer as a Foster Grandparent. I like my location. I’m at Job Corps. My role gives me the opportunity to give something back to the youth.” see attached picture

Every current partnering volunteer site has requested additional Foster Grandparents and 10 additional educational institutions are seeking to join the UPO Foster Grandparents program. UPO has a waiting list of 100 seniors applying to be Foster Grand Parents and desperately needs additional funding to meet the demand.

We sincerely thank you for your generous donations to-date, however we need substantially expanded support to reach our Goal of $11,500. Please help our program grow! Please help our Foster Grandparent volunteers and the children that they serve! You can do so with the click of a button by sharing this report with your friends and family by email and on Social Media.