You Area Not Alone: Senior Women Support Senior Friends Program

She is easy to picture: a frail, isolated woman, living alone or taking care of a spouse, homebound and lonely.

Senior Women taking part in the Women’s Fund Power of 10 initiative want to help women like this, by connecting her with a friend, an advocate and the resources of the outside world.

In September, the group awarded a $10,000 grant to the Senior Friends Program of the American Red Cross of East Central Wisconsin. The program works something like Big Brothers Big Sisters for seniors. Participating women are matched with a volunteer, who makes home visits, offering friendship and a connection to the outside world.

The selection was not immediate. Over the course of three late summer meetings, a group of 8 senior women discussed and debated a variety of issues. But, they kept coming back to the need to help those who are isolated and alone, providing friendship and resources.

The $10,000 gift will help the Winnebago County Senior Friends Program ramp up its volunteer recruitment efforts. Currently, elderly women are waiting to be matched with a volunteer visitor who can provide needed companionship. The program target: help twice as many seniors by the end of 2009.

And, that, is exactly what the senior women had in mind.

Submitted by: Brenda Haines, Women's Fund Board of Directors

200 and counting

The Power of 10 is certainly generating a lot of buzz! We received over 200 nominations so far, and we're really excited to kick off our first group (Senior Women) next month. Stay tuned for updates on how these 10 women will use their $10,000 to help other senior women in our community.

Though the "official" application deadline has passed, we've decided to leave the nomination form on the Web site. We'd like to see more applicants for specific groups, including:

Young Women (16-18)
Young Women (18-21)
Fathers of Daughers
Law Enforcement/Health Care Providers
Women Surviving Poverty

If you know anyone who would be a good participant for these groups, please encourage them to fill out an application, or take 5 minutes to nominate them yourself!

Can we count you in?

Submitted by: Samantha Zinth, Women's Fund Staff

Be a part of it

Wow! We've received an incredible response so far for the 'Power of 10.' We're thrilled that so many of you want to participate in one of our 10 groups giving away $10,000. We're really excited about this project, and we want you to be a part of it!

If you haven't already, please take 5 minutes to fill our our quick questionnaire before May 15, 2008. Nominate yourself or someone you know. Our first group meets in just 5 weeks, so we need to hear from you!

Can we count you in?

Submitted by: Samantha Zinth, Women's Fund Staff

Introducing the Power of 10

In the last 10 years, the Women's Fund has worked with donors, partnered with agencies and guaranteed improvement in the lives of women of all ages, but we have never directly asked women to sound off on the issues and everyday challenges they face.

Throughout the next year, the Women's Fund will work with 100 men and women from Oshkosh and the NEW North to address the needs of women in our community. In celebration of our 10th anniversary, the Women's Fund is giving 10 groups $10,000 each to make an impact in the lives of our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.

• 10 Senior Women
• 10 Working Mothers
• 10 Single Mothers
• 10 Young Women (16-18)
• 10 Young Women (18-21)
• 10 Fathers of Daughters
• 10 Educators
• 10 Law Enforcement/Health Care Providers
• 10 Women Surviving Poverty
• 10 Women of the NEW North

To be part of the Power of 10, complete our quick questionnaire before May 15, 2008. Nominate a neighbor, friend, co-worker or family member.

Or, join the dialog online. Throughout the year, we'll give you the opportunity to offer your opinions on the problems facing each month's group of 10 (more details and discussion questions to follow).

10 groups. $10,000. 10th anniverary.

Can we count you in?

Submitted by: Samantha Zinth, Women's Fund Staff