Support UPO's Foster Grandparents Program

The White House asked our “Foster Grandparents” — senior volunteers who mentor children — to participate in the annual Easter Egg Roll. Our team helped children navigate the Rose Garden during the event, especially children with special needs. What a glorious day!

Then the White House staff invited our Foster Grandparents to return. President Biden’s team didn’t just want to offer thanks — they also asked for our seniors’ advice on how to improve inclusion in federal programs for children, seniors, and others. Our Foster Grandparents’ wisdom led to a spirited discussion that will spark ongoing engagement with the White House.

While all of this excitement is happening, we continue to train seniors in computer literacy thanks to people like you with generous hearts. Our seniors want to be the best possible mentors for children in Title 1 schools — the kids who need the most help in literacy, math, motor skills, and social-emotional skills.

Your support gives our seniors a skill set that enhances their lives and helps them shape our future, because that’s what children are!

“This class has given me new skills so I can help the children. I have always enjoyed technology but I never had the opportunity to learn in an environment geared toward people my age. The teacher strengthened my computer skills for volunteer service and for life.”

– UPO Foster Grandma Sarah Burton, age 78, who has mentored children for 7 years

Our “Foster Grandparents” — senior volunteers who mentor children — want to be the best possible educators. That’s why UPO’s Foster Grandparent Program is committed to providing every volunteer with the training they need to support children in Title 1 schools — the kids who need the most help in literacy, math, motor skills, and social-emotional skills.

The DC Public Schools Empowerment Literacy Initiative is a comprehensive 3-year commitment to close the digital divide and empower every young learner. It will ensure that students in grades 3-12 have equitable access to technology and our Foster Grandparents will help to meet this goal. Over the past year, we provided a laptop and computer literacy training to 125 Foster Grandparents; the project is a well-documented success.

We also see the value of computer literacy for seniors, especially for access to healthcare and family. And research shows that volunteering improves their health and reduces feelings of depression and isolation (see americorps.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2019/volunteering-helps-keep-seniors-healthy-new-study-suggests).

As a result, we want to provide computer literacy to all of our current Foster Grandparents and all future ones by making computer literacy a permanent part of our training for new volunteers. Your support will give our seniors a skill set that enhances their lives and enables them to give the highest-quality support to children so they can learn and RISE!