It was the mid-1960s; poverty was running rampant. The overall national poverty rate was 19 percent. The War on Poverty was the unofficial name for legislation first introduced by US President Lyndon Johnson. He passionately proposed this “War” in his state of the Union Speech on Jan. 8, 1964. The legacy of the War on Poverty policy initiative remains in the continued existence of such federal programs as The Foster Grandparent Program, Head Start, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), TRiO (Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and Special Services), and Job Corps. 

The Foster Grandparent Program is a simple concept that led to a unique and enduring program Established in 1965, Sargent Shriver developed the Foster Grandparent Program. Shriver was named director of the newly formed Office of Economic Opportunity. Shriver mounted a national effort to eliminate the root causes of poverty and income inequality by pursuing an empowerment approach to government: a comprehensive, targeted strategy designed to insure that all Americans had access to economic opportunity. Shriver’s motto for the War on Poverty was “A hand up, not a hand out,” 

The Foster Grandparent Program of Central Missouri recruits lower income men and women ages 55 and older to offer support to children in educational settings. Our volunteers serve in preschools and elementary schools where they share their love of children and provide academic, and sometimes behavioral and developmental support to the youth in their communities. Central Missouri Community Action sponsors the Foster Grandparent Program and the program is partially funded with a Federal Grant from the agency now known as AmeriCorps. Central Missouri Community Action is the sponsoring agency to the Foster Grandparent Program in Central Missouri and has been since1967. The Foster Grandparent Program through CMCA manages ten counties in Mid-Missouri and currently supports approximately 50 volunteers. Our volunteers touched the lives of 561 children last year by supporting students with academic and emotional guidance. The program has a proven positive impact on both generations.

“We work with 10 school districts, 11 Head Start centers and six non-profit childcare centers,” said a spokesperson. “We pay a small stipend to individuals who meet the 200 percent or below of National Poverty Levels.”

In 2024, that amount is $2,510 per month for a single person household or $3,407 for a two-person husband and wife household. This is not a wage, it is an amount paid to offset any out-of-pocket expenses the volunteer may encounter. This stipend does not interfere with any other benefits a volunteer may be receiving, such as a housing voucher or SNAP benefits. They also pay mileage, supply uniforms, and training and appreciation events.

“We desperately need volunteers in Mexico Mo. and all the counties we cover in central Missouri,” said a spokesperson. “We had volunteers at Williams Family Learning Center, but all have retired,” said a spokesperson. “This included our beautiful volunteer Bernadette who just passed away at 101 years. She only retired because the COVID lockdown stopped her.”

For more information, reach out to the Foster Grandparent Program of Central Missouri Senior Programs at 573-777-5225.