Eightcap AmeriCorps Senior Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs

02/26/2026

Foster Grandparent, Papa Jim, has been working with the children at Edmore 2 Head Start with their clothing study. The children enjoyed learning about how important it is to donate clothes they no longer need or fit into. They learned their donation would help other children who may be in need and would really appreciate the clothing.

Papa Jim is shown with the children who are decorating their donation box. They can't wait to fill the box with their donations to make a difference to the children who will benefit from their generosity. Kindness counts at all ages!

Great job, Papa Jim!

02/24/2026

Last Friday, the Senior Companion volunteers received wonderful training on how to assist others and even themselves with life saving techniques at their in-service meeting.

A huge "Thank You" goes out to Dean Dykstra of Save a Life CPR in Sheridan. Not only will the volunteers have this important information, but they are now able to help educate their in-home clients, family, and friends with some of these techniques and ideas. Many different health topics were addressed, and Dean was able to provide the volunteers with plenty of vital information.

It goes to prove; we are never too old to learn something new. Thank you, Dean, for taking the time to help educate all of us. You are a lifesaver!

02/17/2026

Don't miss this opportunity!

02/16/2026

02/03/2026

We are very proud to have Foster Grandparents serving at this site. Join MacNaughton Learning Center for their Open House on February 18th and see what they have to offer your preschooler.

01/29/2026

PIT Count surveys are available at EightCAP offices.

01/29/2026

We asked staff members what the theme of our 60th Anniversary, "Fueled by Heart. Powered by Purpose.", means to them. 💚

Thanks for your dedication to the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Programs, Tammie!

01/28/2026

Mecosta County - When a client is admitted to a rehab facility, don't think for a minute their Senior Companion volunteer drops them like a hot potato. Quite the opposite. The volunteer wants and usually insists to be there for the client to keep them encouraged so they can get back home, where they are much more comfortable, as soon as possible.

The ultimate goal of the Senior Companion Program is to help individuals stay independent and in their own home for as long as possible. We are so fortunate to have the wonderful volunteers who strive to make this possible. Do many of the volunteers go above and beyond? Without a doubt, but that shows how strong the bound between the client and volunteer is. So many lifelong friendships have developed through this program and that makes our hearts extremely happy to see them smiling and where each of them wants to be.

Thank you, Marcia, for being there for Barb! You are making a difference!

01/26/2026

We certainly appreciate how much the Foster Grandparent sites admire, appreciate, and acknowledge the volunteers serving at their sites. We want to give MacNaughton Learning Center in Howard City a huge Shout-Out for welcoming another volunteer to their site. Principal, Amy Gould, sent the following out to the parents who have pre-school children at MacNaughton Learning Center:

Dear Families,
We are so excited to share some wonderful news with you! Please join us in welcoming Grandpa Miles to MacNaughton Learning Center. We are thrilled to have him joining our school community, and we know our students will benefit greatly from his time, care, and support.
Grandpa Miles is part of the Foster Grandparent Program, a program designed to connect caring adults ages 55 and better with children in schools and community programs. The program’s purpose is to support children while also providing meaningful and enriching volunteer experiences for the grandparents who serve. Grandma Tammy currently serves as a Foster Grandparent in our Head Start program. We are grateful to have both grandparents supporting our students in meaningful ways.
We are incredibly grateful to have Grandpa Miles with us and are so happy he will be spending time building relationships with our students, offering encouragement, and supporting learning throughout the day.
Thank you for being part of our MacNaughton family. We are excited for the positive impact Grandpa Miles will have in our classrooms!
Warmly,
Amy Gould
Principal
MacNaughton Learning Center

What a beautiful and warm welcome for Grandpa Miles who will be serving at the same site as his wife, Grandma Tammy. Thank you, Amy, for making Grandpa Miles feel very welcomed!

01/21/2026

Happy Foster Grandparent Volunteer Day!

We would like to give a huge shout out to the wonderful Foster Grandparent volunteers who strive whole-heartedly to improve the academic success of the children they serve. Your service makes every step of a child's achievement that much more special, and your encouragement and unconditional love not only helps them develop socially but creates a special place in their heart for you.

We are very proud of your daily accomplishments with the children who adore you. Thank you!

01/19/2026

The time is always right to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!