Land of Sky Regional Council

Foster Grandparent Program

Foster Grandparent Program is made up of mentors, tutors, friends and role models who improve their own lives, while encouraging academic and social achievement in the children of the communities they serve in Buncombe, Madison, Henderson and Transylvania counties. An estimated 65 FGP volunteers, age 55 and older, serve approximately 150 children one-on-one in local elementary schools, Head Start Programs and nonprofit childcare centers. As a result of this relationship, more than 80 percent of these children demonstrate gains in social, as well as emotional development and improved academic performance. This direct, person-to-person, supportive relationship provides an environment that promotes growth and learning of the child and directly helps address the adverse effect of poverty.