(KIWA Staff Photo)
Rock Valley, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Companion Programs of Greater Siouxland, which support both local students and homebound seniors, are seeking new volunteers as they look to expand across nine counties.
Program Director Heidi Suah of the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs recently discussed the mission, history, and growing needs of both initiatives.
Operated through AmeriCorps Seniors and sponsored by the Rock Valley Rotary, the programs serve Woodbury, Cherokee, Sioux, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, and Plymouth counties in Iowa, along with Dakota County in Nebraska and Union County in South Dakota.
Connecting Generations in the Classroom
The Foster Grandparent Program, founded in Rock Valley in 1974, places adults age 55 and older in daycares and schools from pre-K through 12th grade. Volunteers assist children with special needs, help students struggling with language skills, and mentor students in reading, math, and science.
Many volunteers choose kindergarten or first grade, but others work with older students, including high schoolers. Sewell says the connection between volunteers and students is especially valuable for kids who don’t have family nearby.
Supporting Independence for Seniors
The Senior Companion Program, launched in 2006, helps older adults and adults with disabilities maintain independence at home. Volunteers provide companionship, play games, and offer transportation for groceries or medication pickups.
Because many senior-support services are costly, the free nature of the program is vital for clients facing financial barriers. Suah says the relationships often grow into lasting friendships.
How to Get Involved
Volunters commit at least five hours per week, up to a maximum of 40. They receive monthly in-service training and a small stipend. Applicants must complete an application, pass a digital federal background check, and attend orientation.
Participation dipped during the pandemic, and program leaders hope to rebuild numbers. The organization currently oversees 30 foster grandparents across 16 schools and 50 senior companions, but maintains waiting lists for clients seeking services.
Members of the public interested in volunteering or applying for companion services can call 712-476-2628 to get started.
