SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)--The Foster Grandparent Program held their annual volunteer appreciation luncheon Thursday morning. The program, which is funded by Ameri-Corps, has been around for 30 years and allows older adults the opportunity to help children in all four western Massachusetts counties. There are currently 83 volunteers in the Western Massachusetts program, all over the age of 55 years old, that have a goal of providing comfort, love and support to set children on a path to a successful future. Gandara Center opens new location in Chicopee Julia Wiggins has been a foster grandparent for four years. She says the foster grandparents can act as role models for many of the children. "To me, it is a support system for the kids in the school," said Wiggins. "To have someone there to listen to, to talk to because I didn't know my grandparents so it's to have a support system in the school." Through their funding many volunteers receive a stipend for their support of the youth.