(Riverton, WY) – Kathy Croft spends most of her mornings with the littles at Aspen Early Learning Center (AELC) as an AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent.
She is in her third year of service and is the third generation in her family to be a foster grandma; both her dad’s mother and her mother participated in the program.
Kathy decided to become a volunteer because of the family tradition and the need to keep busy. She spends four days a week and four hours each of those days at AELC.
Foster grandparents help the teachers in the classroom with different activities.
The kiddos are Kathy’s favorite part of the program, of course.
“There are so many needy ones,” she shared. “You can hug them and help them learn.”
She also noted the program helps children learn respect for older people.
The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) is a federal program that began in 1965 with the Wyoming Foster Grandparent Program being established in the fall of 1980. After changing hands a few times, the program is now with the Riverton-based Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc.
Those interested in becoming a foster grandparent in Fremont County can call Dawn Marie Thacker at (307) 856-6880, email fgpmgr@wyoming.com or stop by her office at 106 W. Adams Ave. in Riverton.
There is also a field office in Casper. The contact person for Natrona County is Vernita Lackey. Her email is scpfgp@wyoming.com, the office is located at 951 Werner Court, Suite 295 in Casper, and the phone is (307) 235-5959.