LOS ANGELES, June 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Darlene and Ken Tipton, like many other seniors, experienced the sadness and isolation of not having grandchildren in their day-to-day lives, either due to distance, estrangement, or the absence of little ones in their family. Determined to find a solution, the Tiptons embarked on creating FosterFolks.com, a website and mobile app that brings together seniors and families who are in need of grandparents.
FosterFolks.com serves as a matchmaking platform, connecting seniors with families who do not have grandparents. Inspired by dating sites like Match.com, the Tiptons collaborated with a software company to develop a user-friendly website that allows seniors to be matched with potential foster families based on selected criteria such as ethnicity, religion, political views, location, interests, hobbies, and more.
“It is surreal to think that grandparents would be in need of legal rights to see their grandchildren,” commented Ken, emphasizing the importance of advocating for grandparents’ rights. The Tiptons, who themselves experienced estrangement from their grandchildren due to political differences, provide links on their website to educate visitors about Grandparents’ Rights and offer resources from Alienated Grandparents Anonymous.
Foster grandparents play a significant role in children’s lives, providing knowledge, influence, friendship, and mentorship. Their presence fosters greater cohesiveness and emotional support within the family, while also connecting children to their family heritage and legacy. For grandparents, the experience brings enhanced mental well-being, socialization, and a sense of purpose. They have the opportunity to provide moral guidance, share values, and experience the rewarding feeling of making a difference in their foster family’s lives.
“FosterFolks.com is not just for seniors,” Darlene explained, highlighting that other adults who feel the emotional void of not having nieces or nephews can also register to be foster aunts or uncles. The Tiptons, who are healthy and retired, emphasize that they have the time and desire to be wonderful grandparents, and FosterFolks.com provides the avenue for fulfilling that role.
Through FosterFolks.com, millions of seniors and families without grandparents can now connect, creating meaningful relationships and filling the void of intergenerational connections.
