GSEP Foster Grandparents Program's 2020-2021 Year In Review

Pepperdine GSEP Foster Grandparent Program thrived through a national, racial justice reckoning and a global health pandemic. We remember Mr. Elpidio Moralde, Ms. Jessie Beard, and Mrs. Mary Quick - Founder and Director of the Normandie Christian Pre-School, volunteers and community leaders who we lost this year. They will be forever in our hearts as we continue to serve in their legacy. This year was challenging, but we learned that we are stronger together and that we are more than just a community. We are a family that embodies steadfast service.

As we close out the 2020-2021 program year for the Pepperdine GSEP Foster Grandparent Program, we recognize and share an appreciation for our volunteers, stations, and community partners for their dedicated service and flexibility during these unprecedented times! We truly appreciate the FGP team, all of the volunteers, and partners for their dedication to the community! Despite the adversity experienced around the world, the Pepperdine GSEP FGP had an amazing year, thanks to you all!

ACHIEVEMENTS AMIDST COVID-19 PANDEMIC:

• Provided over 1500 bags of essential supplies (i.e. water, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, isolation/loneliness prevention tools, and activities, etc.) to volunteers and their families.
• Distributed over 600 reusable cloth masks and 500 packages of disposable gloves.
• Partnered with Girls Club of Los Angeles, Operation Putting Love to Work, Ebony Designs, Pretty Net Designs, Krietiv Imagery, Long Beach Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta, Ronic Tatum, Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Independence at Home, a SCAN Community Service, P.S. Arts, and Community Connections CLAW.
• Recruited and trained 24 peer companions to provide weekly, wellness checks to all of the volunteers. To maintain communication and program compliance, we sustained our volunteer files through diligent case management, while also transitioning to digital systems (i.e. Alertmedia, ADP Time and Attendance System, DocuSign, Venngage, etc.).

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a direct threat to our most valuable asset: volunteers. To protect and serve our volunteers, we executed essential supply distributions, provided resources and education on health and wellness, and continually offered isolation/loneliness prevention support to all of our volunteers and their families.

The program numbers for the 2020-2021 year are as follows:

• Number of Volunteers (July 1, 2020): 145
• Number of New Volunteers: 12
• Number of Volunteers (June 30, 2021): 157

We do not have a program without our volunteers; we value our volunteers and their service.

VISION 2021 - 2022:

Program Theme: 2020 - 2021

Steadfast Service: recognizing volunteers, stations, and community partners for their steadfast service and flexibility during these unprecedented times.

1 Corinthians 15:58

New Program Theme: 2021 - 2022

Help the Pepperdine GSEP Foster Grandparent Program select its 2021-2022 program theme and bible verse! Click here to share the theme and bible verse!

SAVE THE DATE:

• June 2021 In-Service Training

  WHEN: Tuesday, June 22, 2021, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

  Event Link

  Enter Meeting ID: 933 769 3164

• FGP "Happy" Hour

  WHEN: Thursday, June 24, 2021, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm

  Happy Hour Link

  Enter Meeting ID: 933 769 3164

• July 2021 In-Service Training

  WHEN: Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

  Training Link
  Enter Meeting ID: 933 769 3164​

Learn more about our GSEP Foster Grandparent program.