April, 2023

 

Now in our 39th year, SOWN remains one of the only organizations in Philadelphia devoted to alleviating the social isolation and health needs of vulnerable older adults and to offering key supportive services to low-income grandparents raising their grandchildren. As we emerge from three years of COVID-19, our services are needed now more than ever! 

 

Please consider offering a helping hand to our vulnerable, older neighbors with a contribution today. A gift of any size will be greatly appreciated and valued. Your donation will help propel us toward our goal of raising $35,000 between now and June 30 for these essential social services for low-income seniors.

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Your support makes possible SOWN’s vital, free programs for close to 400 low-income Philadelphians: 

 

• Homebound, isolated older adults with few or no family or other support systems. In our “Counseling for Homebound Adults” program, every week older adults receive telehealth group counseling services facilitated by licensed clinical social workers. These weekly sessions also provide easy access to safety net services, including individual counseling and referrals for additional services. 

 

• Older adults who are still living independently but need social connection and information for how to stay healthy. Our “Healthy Lives” Community support groups serve mobile older adults who are determined to do what it takes to continue living independently in their own homes.  

 

• Grandparents raising grandchildren. Currently 70 families rely on SOWN’s programs for grandparents raising grandchildren via our GrandFamily Resource Center. The Center provides family literacy workshops, digital literacy education resources, nutrition/wellness programs, support groups, and individual counseling/resources. 



Our services have a measurably positive impact on participants’ lives. 

 

Homebound seniors relate that we provide a lifeline to better health, both mental and physical, that they can’t find anywhere else. Denise* remarks,“It is hard to share personal stuff. But I realize there are so many people in my group who I relate to. With SOWN I have learned ways to deal with the things I thought were impossible to deal with.”  

 

96% of SOWN’s Healthy Lives clients report that they don’t feel alone. Barbara* comments: “Since I've been attending SOWN’s programs, I have been more positive and learned to love more. I look forward to the conversation on the phone, it is the most interesting day of the week. It also helped me toward getting all my booster shots.” 

 

100% of grandparents report their parenting skills have improved, while the family literacy workshops are showing strong results. One grandparent recently wrote us to say: 

 

“I want to thank you…for the wonderful grandparent reading workshops. When I found out that my seven-year-old granddaughter Kimberly was reading below grade level, I was at a loss- until…SOWN stepped in! Kimberly is now reading at grade level and no longer dreads reading assignments. She loves reading signs, food boxes, recipes, game instructions- pretty much anything with words. She even wants to read her books over and over. Again, thank you for helping my granddaughter love reading.” 

 

At a time when public funding for older adult services is dwindling, social inequities are ever widening, and the number of older adults is growing, SOWN is working fervently to fill a piece of the gap in services for this vulnerable and needy population. 

 

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Thank you in advance for your support.

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Sincerely yours, 

                              

Marypat Tracy, LCSW                                Denise McKnight, CPA

Executive Director                                      Chair, Board of Directors

 

Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. The official registration and financial information of SOWN may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll free, within Pennsylvania,

1 (800) 732-0999.   

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*Names have been changed to protect clients’ privacy.