Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging collaborates with Foster Village Peoria to bring comfort and pampering to older adults serving as foster parents.
One of the most important needs of older adults as they navigate out of their professional work and family roles to retirement, is to find a new purpose for their lives. Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging seeks to provide opportunities for older adults to find purpose and ways to give back to their community. To date, participants have helped make blankets for guests at Ronald McDonald’s House, first aid kits and personal items for veterans, and have had card writing campaigns for persons in nursing homes to cheer them up. “Giving back is a joy!” is commonly agreed upon among Graceland participants.
Funds from a First Federated Church grant, along with donations from Graceland program participants, will be used to make pampering baskets for elder foster parents who have stepped forward to care for foster children through collaboration with Foster Village Peoria. The mission of Foster Village Peoria is to “come alongside children and families in the child welfare system and show them that they are not alone. We bridge the gap in resources and support in the foster care community. Since our launch in 2022, we have launched five main programs: Resource Closet, Educational Trainings, Support Groups, Youth Connect Events, and our Visit Room.”
Co- Founder, Cheriz Kunkel, supports caregivers and children affected by foster care with additional resources for needs that are not met in the public system. Foster Village Peoria serves many older adults who are caring for foster children with their limited resources. The burden of caregiving can have detrimental effects on our bodies and minds. Graceland Center will make self-care baskets to encourage these older adults who are sacrificing their time and sharing their loving care for children experiencing foster care.
It is our hope that these gifts will enable the foster parents to know they are worthy of taking care of themselves and to take time out to renew their energies. We know that if the foster parents are cared for, they will have the energy and feel supported to continue with the care of the children entrusted to them. Graceland Center will make the baskets during an April program and Foster Village Peoria will deliver them to the foster parents to protect their privacy. Depending on their schedule, we hope that some of the foster parents will find time to join our weekly programs for their wellness and learning journey! What a beautiful example of a complete cycle of caring. Graceland Center is also generously funded for our weekly programs in part by the Community Foundation of Central Illinois.
You can learn more about the wonderful work that Foster Village Peoria is doing at www.fostervillagepeoria.org/about-us and about Graceland Center at www.gracelandcenter.com.
