Our Story
Since 1974, our volunteers have brought wisdom, patience, and friendship to neighbors across nine counties of greater Siouxland.
CHAPTER ONE — 1974
The Foster Grandparent Program
The Rock Valley Rotary Foster Grandparent Program was established in June 1974 with a grant to the Rock Valley Rotary Club, which has sponsored the program ever since. By fall of 1974, 26 foster grandparents were trained and serving at the school operated by Hope Haven.
In 1975, 23 additional volunteers joined, and by 1976 the program reached its original goal of 60 foster grandparents. Area Education Agency 4 took over Hope Haven’s school program that same year, renaming it River Valley, which remained the primary site until fall 2001.
In January 2016, the program was renamed The Foster Grandparent Program of Greater Siouxland to reflect the broader reach of its volunteers. Today, approximately 40 foster grandparents serve at 18+ sites across Rock Valley, Sioux Center, Orange City, Boyden, Hull, Hawarden, Rock Rapids, George, Sheldon, Le Mars, and Sioux City.
In 2026, the Foster Grandparent Program completed a geographical realignment, expanding its service area to Sioux, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Cherokee, and Woodbury counties in Iowa, Union County in South Dakota, and Dakota County in Nebraska.
1974
Program founded; 26 volunteers trained at Hope Haven.
1976
Reached original goal of 60 foster grandparents.
2001
Expanded beyond River Valley to new partner sites.
2016
Renamed Foster Grandparent Program of Greater Siouxland.
2026
Completed geographical realignment.
CHAPTER TWO — 2005
The Senior Companion Program
The Senior Companion Program began at the request of the Creative Living Center, Sioux County’s mental health provider, which was seeking volunteers to visit with clients and improve their mental and physical well-being.
In spring 2005, a Faith-In-Action grant from the Robert Woodward Johnson Foundation launched the program. It was later recognized as an official Senior Companion Program by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The first senior companion was placed in Rock Valley in fall 2005.
The program expanded to Lyon, Sioux, and O’Brien counties in 2009, acquired the Sioux City Senior Companion Program later that year (covering Woodbury, Plymouth, and Monona counties in Iowa and Dakota County in Nebraska), and grew again in 2012 to Osceola County and Union County, South Dakota. It was renamed The Senior Companion Program of Greater Siouxland in January 2016.
In 2026, the Senior Companion Program completed a geographical realignment, expanding its service area to Sioux, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Cherokee, and Woodbury counties in Iowa, Union County in South Dakota, and Dakota County in Nebraska.
2005
Faith-In-Action grant launches the program.
2009
Expanded to Lyon, Sioux, O’Brien & Sioux City.
2012
Reached Osceola County, IA and Union County, SD.
2016
Renamed Senior Companion Program of Greater Siouxland.
2026
Completed geographical realignment.