For more information about:
Visit the national association of Campus Compact at http://www.compact.org
Programs
Foster Grandparent Program
Sharing a Lifetime of Wisdom
Every day in communities across America, Foster Grandparents are the people children in need depend on for love, wisdom, and support.
In schools, hospitals, drug treatment centers, correctional institutions, Head Start and day care facilities, Foster Grandparents even the odds for children who have special needs.
The Foster Grandparent Program provides a way for those 60 and older whose incomes are limited to serve as extended family members to children and youth with exceptional needs. Foster Grandparents serve 15-40 hours a week in schools, Head Start centers, after-school programs and other locations.
They help children who have been abused or neglected, mentor troubled teenagers and young mothers, and care for infants or children with physical disabilities.
Foster Grandparents serve as role models, mentors and friends while helping children learn to read, providing one-on-one tutoring, and guiding children at a critical time in their lives. Put simply, they give the kind of comfort and love that sets a child on the path toward a successful future.
The Hattiesburg Foster Grandparent Program serves 36 seniors and more than 500 pine belt children. Foster Grandparent volunteers receive:
- A $2.65 hourly, non-taxed stipend
By federal law, the stipend is not subject to tax or garnishment. It also does not reduce or eliminate the level of, or eligibility for, assistance or services a Foster Grandparent may be receiving under any governmental program, including: unemployment insurance, worker's compensation, temporary disability, retirement, public assistance or similar benefit payments or minimum wage laws.
- On-the-job excess accident, liability and auto liability insurance
- Mileage reimbursement or transportation assistance
- Daily meal provided by volunteer station, when possible
- Accrued paid vacation and sick leave
- Annual physical examination
- Recognition
- Pre-assignment training plus ongoing monthly training at in-service meetings
RIF – Reading is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental Inc. prepares and motivates children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to children and families who need them most.
In Mississippi, Campus Compact manages one of two RIF programs and last year provided more than 45,000 books to nearly 10,000 students at 21 K-12 schools.
Founded in 1966, RIF is the oldest and largest children's and family nonprofit literacy organization in the United States. RIF’s highest priority is reaching underserved children from birth to age 8.
Campus Compact has managed RIF for 10 years and serves high-risk schools and after-school programs with 75 percent or more of their student populations receiving free or reduced lunches. Children receive books three times a year, and 100 percent of grant funds go toward the purchase of new books.
The RIF program coordinator and teachers review and approve book purchases, but students are encouraged to make their own selections to enjoy reading outside the classroom. The children can choose to give their book selection to a friend or relative, sharing the excitement of reading and discovery.
Through community volunteers in every state and U.S. territory, RIF provides 4.5 million children with 16 million new, free books and literacy resources each year. All RIF programs combine three essential elements to foster children's literacy: reading motivation, family and community involvement and the excitement of choosing free books to keep.
RIF's accomplishments are due in part to the generous support of the U.S. Department of Education, corporations, foundations, community organizations and thousands of individuals. Our individual program received donations from Dollar General and General Dynamics.
For more information about RIF in Mississippi, contact Samantha Jones at 601.266.5205 or samantha.markland@usm.edu.
