The Community Action Foster Grandparent Program currently has 40 grandparents who are patiently waiting to get through the COVID-9 Pandemic so they can proudly get back to what they do and that is SERVING CHILDREN. There are 8 grandparents who missed the children they serve in day care centers that they have returned and are practicing social distancing. All the grandparents were furnished with hand sanitizer and mask and are volunteering their regular schedules 5 days a week. This make me so proud to be a director and have seniors who are so committed to helping the children. Many of the grandparents are volunteers with public schools who have yet to allowed volunteers back in their schools. 
During the pandemic, many of the seniors are staying in and making sure they are staying safe from the virus, but that didn’t stop many of them from coming through the parking lot of Community Action and picking up a box of food. Helping with the distribution is Robert Griffin and Thomas Griffin. This was the third food distribution held for the grandparents.
The Community Action Foster Grandparent Program partnered with HIMBYHER Collegiate School to have a Back to School Event on August 8th, 2020. Executive Director Terrence White contributed in helping by going to Target and purchasing school supplies provided to the children. Pictured are grandparents and State Representative John Bartlett setting up for the Give-away. We also gave away a Chromebook 14 and the winner pictured with the Foster Grandparent Director (Shelida Kerr) was Tamika Smith. Tamika was so happy to win the computer and stated her 14-year-old son did not have a computer and was in real need of one. We were able to serve 450 low income children with book bags and supplies.
The Community Action Foster Grandparent Program is looking for individuals who are 55 and older and who love children to become a part of this wonderful program. We are also looking for Day Cares, Shelters, Schools, After School programs and any non-for-profit or Faith-based organization that work with children to call us and let us help you help our children. Our motto is an old African Proverb, “It takes a Village to Raise a Child” and we are part of that village. For more information, give me a call or email me at the information below.
Shelida Kerr
FGP Program Director
Community Action of Greater Indianapolis
Phone (317) 524-6860
Fax (317) 926-1278
skerr@cagi-in.org