HISTORY.Mid-Peninsula Widows and
Widowers Association was founded as a self-help support group in June of
1976. In the beginning this Association consisted of a small group of ten
people, brought together at El Camino Hospital by Dr. Dan Dugan, Human Support
Coordinator, and by Ms. Helen Gienger Kuckens, who has continued to organize and conduct grief
workshops for widowed persons over the years. The nucleus group grew
rapidly, found a larger meeting space, and under the leadership of Marilyn
Short as the group's first President, became a chartered, non-profit
organization in February, 1977 and registered in 1986 as a non-profit
Corporation. By 1984 the membership had grown so large that the meeting room
then in use was deemed too small and the group moved to the Social Hall of
the Los Altos Lutheran Church, which has continued to be the meeting
location. Although we meet at a church our Association is non-sectarian and
rents the hall from the church. We are
a non-profit 501C3
organization Present membership. Is
around 240. ELIGIBILITY -MEMBERSHIP REOUIREMENTS: Membership is open to
persons who have lost their spouse through death. There are
no age, religious or ethnic restrictions. It is necessary to clarify
that the prospective member must have been legally married to the spouse at
the time of death and that if a person has been married more than once, the
most recent marriage must have ended with the death of that spouse.
Verification by Death Certificate must be presented at the time of membership
application. Meetings are held every
Tuesday in the Social Hall at the Los Altos Lutheran Church, 460 S. El Monte,
Los Altos. from 7:30-9:30 p.m. . Three
meetings may be attended without obligation. Further attendance at meetings
or participation in social activities requires payment of membership dues,
which are $66 annually and are renewable on the first of February. PURPOSE OF MEETINGS: 1 . To
give comfort during the grief and adjustment period; the unique qualities of
this group provide the understanding of those who have gone through the same
experience. Every effort is made to provide caring and support for all those
who need it. 2. Outside
social activities are planned and discussed.
We find that active participation helps the healing process and we
encourage early participation in order to achieve a sense of belonging. 3. Guest
speakers are invited to discuss such topics as Social Security, finances, home repairs, job
reentry, education, self-awareness, mental and physical health, problems of
living alone, and other topics of interest to us. We also frequently have
musical and travel programs, skits, fashion shows, line dancing and other
forms of entertainment. 4. Discussion
groups provide opportunities to share problems and express feelings. 5. New
members are invited to participate in the First Year Club which was established
to help them become integrated into the Association. An informal Orientation
Meeting is presented periodically as part of the First Year Club. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: Social activities are an
important part of our association. They include group travel excursions,
potlucks, bingo, golf, bowling, walks/hikes, dining out, bridge, poker, game
nights/drop-ins, book clubs, art clubs, picnics and holiday parties. CONCLUSION: We are proud of our
organization. We care for each other. We each know the loss and hurt
experienced by the death of a spouse. Together we hope to make adjustments
easier. A great number of people have been helped by this very special group
in the years since its inception. We hope it will be of -help to you. |
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