Serving New Bedford Children for 40 Years

The Americorps Senior Foster Grandparent program has a 40-year history in the city of New Bedford. Its volunteers have done important work in city schools, helping young children with academics and providing emotional and social support.

The program is run through Coastline Elderly Services in New Bedford and right now they are recruiting new volunteers. Program Director Jacqueline Medeiros said their present roster numbers 43 and they're looking to increase their volunteers to about 60.

Volunteers must be 55 and older. Training will be provided to those applicants who qualify, and foster grandparents do receive a small per-hour stipend.

Anyone interested can call Medeiros at (508) 742-9198 or e-mail her at jmedeiros@coastlinenb.org.

I also had the chance to speak with "Grandma" Alana Andrews who has served as a foster grandparent for seven years. She works with children at the Carney Academy and said she is enjoying herself immensely. Andrews said she enjoys being around children and is learning a lot from them.

Our Townsquare Sunday interview with Medeiros and Andrews can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly public affairs program heard every Sunday at 6 and 11 a.m. on 1420 WBSM. The program highlights individuals and non-profit organizations that are striving to make Greater New Bedford a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.