The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) annual appreciation luncheon honors local Foster Grandparents for their service to children in the community. Principals and teachers from FGP affiliated schools, Don Brewer Elementary, Parkwood Heights Elementary and ATOSS school sites, will also be in attendance and acknowledged. Each year, three senior citizens are awarded the Arnolta “Mama Williams” Award for their dynamic roles in community service.

FGP of Jacksonville was founded in 1972 by Harriet Day. In 2011- 2012, FGP Jacksonville’s 101 volunteers spent more than 84,000 hours serving 1,217 children. Since October 2012, 94 Foster Grandparents have spent 36,690 hours tutoring and mentoring 616 children.

Foster Grandparents serve children who are visually or hearing impaired, emotionally or physically abused, physically handicapped or learning disabled. Foster Grandparents assist in the development of motor skills, self-care, learning skills and independence. They serve as mentors and tutors to special needs and at-risk children. In addition, they help restore and reinforce a sense of community and family values in the children. Foster Grandparents are assigned to day care centers, public schools, youth detention centers, parent-child centers, hospitals and Police Athletic Leagues, among other youth-serving organizations.

FGP Jacksonville is sponsored and funded by the National Senior Service Corps, Corporation for National Service, with matching funds from the City of Jacksonville Senior Services Division.