What Role Can Seniors Play?
You may have raised kids of your own - maybe even grandkids. Pass on your wisdom, time and talent to the next generation.
SENIORS:
"Foster grandparent" programs are good ways to get involved with young people, but be a "foster parent" to the mom or dad in the family as well by offering nonjudgmental support.
Retirement can often give us the opportunity to volunteer - spend one morning a week reading with kids at a local elementary school or get involved with a local nonprofit.
What Can You Do?
Parenting is challenging at times (and sometimes very often) for all parents.
Acknowledging this and offering support goes a long way.
Help to reduce silence and isolation.
Be that person people reach out to for support. In Lane County, 47% of survivors of child abuse and neglect said no one helped them at the time they were first being mistreated, and 19% said they were rarely helped. Be that person people reach out to for support.
Join the 90by30 Regional Leadership Team in your community.
Volunteer.
United Way’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) matches people 55 and older with meaningful year-round volunteer experiences that support students’ third grade reading. Email Debra at United Way to find out more.
Get involved with a cause you care deeply about.
Be a powerful voice for abused kids by volunteering with CASA of Lane County.
Knit infant hats for the Welcome Baby Bundles in your region.
Get to know the families that live around you.
Meet the kids and talk to the parents so that they know you are there if they ever need help. Social connection and social support are the cornerstones of family well-being and child safety.
Once you know a family, offer to babysit so that parents can enjoy a night off.
Volunteer.
Visit AmeriCorps Seniors to find out how you can help in your community.
“Fill in” for a friend or neighbor when they can’t attend a child’s dance recital or soccer game.
Tell a parent that you know parenting is a challenge; ‘normalize’ the challenge.
Offer resources, such as Lane Kids and Parenting Now.
Learn how to intervene in a situation where you are concerned about domestic violence.
Womenspace or the National Domestic Violence Hotline has more information.
Gain confidence in knowing what to do when you are concerned about a child.
Find out what others have done when faced with a tricky situation in What Would We Do? Lane County, a video put together by local volunteers. (Coming soon!)
Encourage your local school to adopt Roots of Empathy.
This groundbreaking program teaches first- and second-grade students compassion through interaction with an infant and caregiver.
Help families in need of concrete support.
Contribute goods and services through Love for Lane County or refer someone in need of support to Catholic Community Services.
Join 5,000 Strong.
Support prevention efforts by joining 5,000 Strong, a campaign by Friends of 90by30 to raise funds for and awareness of 90by30’s work. Part of a community group or club? Invite 90by30 to present at a meeting by emailing friends@90by30.com.
Share K(no)w More on Facebook and spread the word that there are ways to get involved.
What is the Welcome Baby Box? It’s a gift to babies in the community - and you can be a part of it.
Resources for Seniors
