$950,000 Grant to Head Start of Rockland for Foster Grandparent Program

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, today announced a three-year $949,878 Senior Corps Foster Grandparent Program grant for Head Start of Rockland, Inc., to provide mentorship to Rockland children.

The grant is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers Senior Corps programs, and this year marks the 50th anniversaries of both the Foster Grandparent Program and Head Start nationally.

“Foster grandparents have a lifetime of experience to offer children in need,” said Lowey. “I’m proud this federal grant will have a positive impact for grandparents and children in our community. We should be celebrating the 50th anniversary of these mission-driven organizations, but we must instead defend them against reckless cuts by House Republican Leadership. It’s not right to balance our federal budget on the backs of those in need.”

The grant will allow Head Start of Rockland to support 72 Senior Corps volunteers to mentor roughly 216 children in Rockland County each year for the next three years. Head Start of Rockland will hire two people to help administer the grant.

Lowey made the Foster Grandparent Program grant announcement Wednesday at Nyack Head Start, where she was joined by CNCS CEO Wendy Spencer, Head Start of Rockland, Inc., Executive Director Ouida Foster Toutebon, New York Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee, Town of Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart, and Nyack Deputy Mayor Don Hammond.

“Head Start of Rockland is grateful to receive this grant which will help us connect grandparents with children in need. We are grateful for Congresswoman Lowey’s steadfast support for programs that help us deliver quality services to families in Rockland County,” said Toutebon.

PHOTO: Foster Grandparent Program volunteer Zelda Rosenberg addresses attendees at the grant award announcement/Nita Lowey’s Office