Home Uncategorized Foster grandparent training set for this week at Arkadelphia

Foster grandparent training set for this week at Arkadelphia

2050
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ARKADELPHIA – Approximately 125 retirees, who volunteer as Foster Grandparents in 22 south and western Arkansas counties, are registered to attend the 32nd annual Foster Grandparent Training Conference at DeGray Lodge in Lake DeGray State Park June 2-4. Event organizers said the conference is designed for participants to return to their respective neighborhoods energized to provide one-on-one assistance to thousands of children and families in need.
This year’s theme is “Thank You for Being a Friend” as participants celebrate the national program’s 50th anniversary. They will enjoy a banquet and concert by music evangelist Charles Graham, classes on aging and helping at-risk children, barge rides, park interpreter workshops and bingo (assisted by Arkadelphia Southern Bancorp Bank volunteers). A memorial service also will be held.
The conference is partially sponsored by Halley Baptist Church in Dermott, and will also feature a free health fair and exercise classes conducted by Schmieding Home Caregiver Training with staff from their aging centers in El Dorado, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and Texarkana. Meal sponsors include Southern LP Gas of DeQueen, Tyson Foods of Grannis, Horatio State Bank, Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home, of Monticello, Drew County Farm Bureau Insurance, Mike Zieman of Monticello, South Arkansas Electric in Hope, Union Bank of Monticello and Southern Bancorp of Arkadelphia.
FGP “Senior Corps” members are from Foster Grandparent Programs sponsored by Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, DeQueen-Mena-Branch Education Cooperative in Gillham and Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative in Monticello. The three programs serve a combined total of 2000 at-risk children in 30 public schools, nine schools for developmentally delayed children, nine HeadStart programs and five day-care centers in 54 towns and rural communities in south central, southeast and western Arkansas.
Funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the three Foster Grandparent Programs hosting the conference add at least $1 million to the economy annually. They provide more than 258,000 hours of volunteer service per year, valued at a total of $3.5 million. The programs also generate an additional 10 percent to 20 percent in community support.
For more information about the Foster Grandparent Program, contact Shirley McMillan at Ouachita Baptist University at 870-245-5195 or the project director in your area.
COUNTIES (22): Clark, Hot Spring, Johnson, Montgomery, Polk, Yell, Little River, Howard, Sevier, Scott, Sebastian, Logan, Franklin, Crawford, Garland, Dallas, Nevada, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Desha, Drew.
TOWNS (54): Arkadelphia, Malvern, Hot Springs, Amity, Glenwood, Sparkman, Gurdon, Prescott, McGehee, Dumas, Crossett, Dermott, Monticello, Eudora, Warren, Hermitage, Lake Village, Hamburg, Wilmot, Hartman, Mansfield, Hartford, Mountainburg, Booneville, Magazine, Acorn, Hatfield, Vandervoort, Wickes, DeQueen, Horatio, Lockesburg, Winthrop, Foreman, Ashdown, Nashville, Mena, Cove, Waldron, Mineral Springs, Saratoga, Paris, Altus, Branch, Clarksville, Cedarville, Pleasantview, Ft. Smith, Greenwood, Scranton, Murfreesboro, Mt. Ida, Oden, Caddo Hills.

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