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The Association for the Relief of Aged Women (ARAW) today announced the recipients of its Community Partner Grant for the fiscal year 2022. The ARAW’s Community Partner Grant offered up to $300,000 in support of nonprofits and public entities serving Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Westport to establish, maintain or expand programs that align with the ARAW’s mission. The ARAW had an overwhelming response to its first Community Partner Grant request for proposals and has chosen 11 community organizations and programs that best support ARAW’s vision that elderly women in our community will live well and with dignity.
“For 154 years the ARAW has quietly furnished financial assistance, provided friendship and promoted the welfare and relief of elderly women in the Greater New Bedford community. As we honor these past accomplishments, we recognize now is the time to build upon our strong foundation,” said ARAW’s Executive Director, Clare Healy Foley. “ARAW’s Community Partner Grant is a wonderful opportunity to form new partnerships which will allow us to increase our direct financial support to low income, elderly women who may feel they have nowhere else to turn and to fund innovative programs which address the challenges they face today.”
By addressing one or more of the following four targeted funding priorities, ARAW’s Community Partner grantees will allow these women to maintain their dignity and independence in the community:
• Trusted sources of knowledgeable advocates in our community who will identify and connect women in need of financial support to the ARAW
• Promotion of financial stability and life strategies
• Access to social engagement opportunities to combat loneliness and isolation
• Establishment of safety and stability to foster optimal health and well-being
The Community Partners ARAW selected for fiscal year 2022 represent a variety of programs that address the needs and challenges faced by aging women today. Organizations awarded a ARAW Community Partner Grant this year are:
• AHA! (Arts, History, Architecture): $11,250 for Portraits of a Port
• Cape Verdean Association in New Bedford: $16,225 for Outreach & Programming for New Bedford’s Elderly Cape Verdean Community
• New Bedford Art Museum (NBAM/ArtWorks!): $25,000 for the Creative Care Program
• Old Dartmouth Historical Society (New Bedford Whaling Museum): $11,070 for Lighting the Way: Lifelong Learning
• South Coastal Counties Legal Services: $42,200 for the Rachel Howland Advocate for Older Adults
• Town of Acushnet/Acushnet Council on Aging: $15,334 for a Part-Time Outreach Specialist
• Town of Dartmouth/Dartmouth Council on Aging: $43,680 for Strive to Thrive
• Town of Fairhaven/Fairhaven Council on Aging: $45,833 for Outreach Workers
• Town of Westport/Westport Council on Aging: $34,500 for Community Outreach
• YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts: $5,000 for the Widowed Persons Program
• Zeiterion Performing Arts Center: $25,000 for the Intergenerational Performing Arts Mentorship
About the Association for the Relief of Aged Women (ARAW)
The About the Association for the Relief of Aged Women (ARAW) was founded in 1866. The Association’s first president, Rachel Howland, was a prominent New Bedford Quaker preacher, activist and philanthropist. For 155 years, the ARAW’s mission has been to furnish financial assistance, provide friendship and promote the welfare and relief of elderly women. The ARAW financially supports the individual needs of over 200 women while being guided by the founding principles of “women helping women” and “not alms alone, but a friend”. For more information, please visit www.arawofnb.org.
