Privacy Policy

We collect only the information necessary to operate our volunteer program safely and responsibly.

1.1 Volunteer Information

• Full name
• Age and grade level
• Parent/guardian name and contact information
• Emergency contact information
• Volunteer availability
• School or district (optional)
• Any relevant notes voluntarily shared for safety (e.g., allergies, communication preferences)

1.2 Parent/Guardian Information

• Name
• Email
• Phone number
• Consent for minor participation
• Media/photo consent (if granted)

1.3 Senior-Care Facility Information

• Activity Director or Administrator contact details
• Scheduling preferences
• Facility guidelines for volunteer engagement
• Photo/media permissions for residents (when provided by the facility)

1.4 Website & Digital Information

When visiting www.grandpalsconnect.org, we may collect:

• Basic analytics (page views, browser type, device type)
• Non-identifiable usage data
• Contact form submissions

We do not collect sensitive personal data through the website.

GrandPals Connect does not collect or store:

• Medical records
• Health histories
• Financial information
• Social Security numbers
• Government-issued identification
• Sensitive personal data of seniors or volunteers

Any incidental health information shared verbally by seniors or volunteers is not recorded, stored, or used.

We use collected information solely for:

• Volunteer coordination and scheduling
• Communication with parents/guardians
• Safety and emergency preparedness
• Coordination with senior-care facilities
• Program improvement
• Media usage (only with consent)
• Website functionality and analytics

We do not sell, trade, or share personal information with third parties.

GrandPals Connect takes media privacy seriously.

4.1 Consent Requirements

We only use photos or videos when:

• Volunteers (18+) provide consent
• Parents/guardians provide consent for minors
• Senior-care facilities confirm permission for resident photos
• Activity Directors approve group photos taken inside facilities

4.2 How Photos Are Used

Photos may be used for:

• Website content
• Social media posts
• Brochures or presentations
• Volunteer recognition
• Community outreach

4.3 Removal Requests

Anyone may request removal of a photo at any time by emailing: 📧 grandpals.connect@gmail.com

We will remove the image promptly.

GrandPals Connect is a companionship-based volunteer program. Volunteers are not caregivers and do not provide medical, physical, or professional services.

5.1 Facility Responsibility

Senior-care facilities retain full responsibility for:

• Resident safety
• Medical needs
• Supervision of residents
• Emergency response

5.2 Volunteer Responsibility

Volunteers must:

• Follow facility rules
• Follow staff instructions
• Engage only in approved activities
• Report concerns to facility staff immediately

5.3 Organizational Liability

GrandPals Connect is not liable for:

• Injuries or accidents occurring at partner facilities
• Medical incidents involving residents or volunteers
• Actions taken by facility staff or residents
• Misuse of information by third parties outside our control

We take reasonable measures to protect personal information, including:

• Limited access to volunteer data
• Secure storage of digital records
• No unnecessary data retention
• No sharing of personal information outside the organization

However, no system is 100% secure, and we encourage parents and volunteers to use caution when sharing sensitive information.

GrandPals Connect works with minors (under 18). We require:

• Parent/guardian consent for participation
• Parent/guardian consent for media usage
• Emergency contact information
• Compliance with all youth-safety guidelines

We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors without parental approval.

Our website may contain links to senior-care facilities or partner organizations. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites.

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. The “Last Updated” date will reflect the most recent revision.

For questions, concerns, or removal requests, contact us at:

📧 grandpals.connect@gmail.com
🌐 www.grandpalsconnect.org