“We are here, not really to serve,” said Virginia. “It actually is more of being a friend.”
Virginia Espinueva is a senior volunteer at the San Gabriel/Pomona Regional Center. During AmeriCorps Week (March 9-15), we shared how Virginia has built meaningful connections and found fulfillment through the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs.
Funded by the federal AmeriCorps program, volunteers ages 55 and older serve as mentors, role models, and companions to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Foster Grandparents support children in schools and early learning programs, while Senior Companions help older adults stay active, independent, and connected to their communities.
If you are 55 or older and interested in volunteering, you can learn more about becoming a mentor, role model, or companion through programs supported by AmeriCorps.
Learn more about the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs.