Harnessing the Wisdom of the Ages
When you become a Grandmas2Go volunteer and share the wisdom of your life experience, you can make a lasting difference in the lives of new parents and the children they are raising.
We need women of wisdom and experience to help us build a model of new community support that benefits ALL. Women, 50 and over, are in an ideal position to act as mentors.
If you would like to volunteer to be a Grandma2G0, click on the Online Volunteer Application button below and fill in the application online. Click on the “print” icon at the top of the page, and then select “Save as PDF” and save the completed PDF to your desktop. Email this PDF to grandmas2go@gmail.com. The application requests reference letters. Please ensure that the reference letters sent on your behalf include your name and street address so we can attach them to your application. Thank you for your interest in Grandmas2Go!
The support you need to do the job well
With our training and support, and your unique skills and talents, you can become a lifeline to a family as their mentor and coach. You will:
- Get 12 hours of basic training plus continuing education on nurturing parenting, infant care, childhood brain growth and mothering the new mother.
- Be a compassionate listener and gentle advisor who understands the needs of families during this stage of life.
- Model and share newborn tips such as soothing techniques for crying infants, understanding cues, the importance of bonding and attachment, infant massage, postpartum health and lactation.
- Model parenting skills and healthy life choices.
- Provide respite as needed.
- Share relaxation and stress-reduction techniques.
- Provide non-medical, physical, emotional, and informational support to families.
- Help at-risk families break the cycles of abuse, neglect, violence, addiction, poverty and hopelessness that plague our communities.
The power of altruism
Volunteering does not just benefit others. A growing body of research finds that volunteering reaps huge social, emotional, and physical benefits for the volunteer.
People who volunteer lead longer, healthier and more purposeful lives. Volunteers report significant improvements in their mental health, along with other socio-emotional benefits ranging from a greater feeling of productivity to increased social activity, and a greater sense of well-being. And don’t forget about that wonderful chemical, Oxytocin, the natural, feel-good, love hormone.
— Margaret Mead