BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University's award-winning Foster Grandparent Program, a subprogram of Appalachian Senior Programs (ASP), is celebrating 45 years in 2025. In recognition of volunteer service in the community with seniors, the program has been nominated for the 2025 North Carolina Governor's Volunteer Service Award.
ASP provides services to children and older adults throughout Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Wilkes counties. ASP fulfills its mission through two volunteer-based programs: the Senior Companion Program and the Foster Grandparent Program.
In the Foster Grandparent Program, volunteers assist children in need of academic attention by providing one-on-one classroom assistance. They work on specific academic goals outlined in Individual Education Plans (IEPs) identified by teachers, often in the areas of reading ability and reading comprehension. For children in Head Start programs, it can be assisting with activities of daily living and school readiness.
To provide these services for free, ASP relies on federal and local grants and donations, which provide a small stipend to low-income volunteers. The stipend does not affect their other benefits, and helps offset the cost of their volunteer service. The programs are primarily supported through federal grants from AmeriCorps Seniors and local grants from United Way agencies, county administrations and the North Carolina Community Foundation.
The Appalachian Foster Grandparent Program was established in 1980 under the sponsorship of New River Mental Health. The program came under the sponsorship of Appalachian State and the Department of Sociology in 2003, given their focus on gerontology and their success with community-based programs.
Since 2020, Dr. Amy Dellinger Page has served as the executive director of ASP. Page is a professor and the director of undergraduate programs in Appalachian's Department of Sociology. Tammy Taylor serves as the director of the Foster Grandparent Program and Sherry Lambert serves as the program assistant. According to Dr. Page, Taylor and Lambert are "the heart and soul of this program."
Previously, the Foster Grandparent Program received the 2024 Corporate/Business Involvement of the Year Award for Ashe County. The award recognizes contributions and dedication to improving the lives of citizens in Ashe County.
Now, the program is nominated for the prestigious Governor's Volunteer Service Award, which honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals and groups that make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. The results of the Governor's Volunteer Service Awards will be announced at the end of April.
"I'm excited the program has been recognized for its long-standing commitment to the community," said Page. "Our senior volunteers provide a vital service to children through mentorship and one-on-one structured attention focused on achieving academic goals. These services are even more important given the impact on learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Helene."
###
About Appalachian Senior Programs
Appalachian Senior Programs (ASP), sponsored by Appalachian State University, assists children and the senior population of a five-county area in northwestern North Carolina through the grant-funded Foster Grandparent program and Senior Companion program. Consisting of volunteers, ages fifty-five and older, ASP enhances the social-emotional and academic skills of children who need one-on-one assistance, and provides companionship and assistance for older adults who do not qualify for other assistance. Learn more at seniorprograms.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Sociology
The Department of Sociology offers a Bachelor of Arts and seven Bachelor of Science concentrations (applied research methods; criminology; families and intimate relationships; health and aging; power and social change; social inequalities; and individually designed, which requires departmental approval). The department also offers minors in sociology and health and aging, plus two online graduate certificates: aging, health and society, and sociology. Learn more at soc.appstate.edu.
By Lauren Gibbs & Dr. Amy Dellinger Page
March 24, 2025
BOONE, N.C.
In the Foster Grandparent Program, volunteers assist children in need of academic attention by providing one-on-one classroom assistance. Photo submitted
In the Foster Grandparent Program, volunteers assist children in need of academic attention by providing one-on-one classroom assistance. Photo submitted