Sibley Memorial Hospital - Widowed Persons Outreach - Helping and Healing

Widowed Persons Outreach, founded in 1992, is a free community service sponsored by Sibley Memorial Hospital in partnership with IONA Senior Services, Capital Hospice, William Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and Joseph Gawlerâ€™s Sons, Inc. Program volunteers have been widowed themselves, have completed the hospitalâ€™s volunteer and specialized bereavement trainings and now help newly widowed people through their own grief. This is done through one-on-one help, support groups, social activities, educational events, a biannual bereavement conference and a bimonthly newsletter. Program leaders recently launched â€œNext Steps,â€ a social program for persons who have been bereaved more than two years.

What is it?

Widowed Persons Outreach, founded in 1992, is a free community service sponsored by Sibley Memorial Hospital in partnership with IONA Senior Services, Capital Hospice, William Wendt Center for Loss and Healing and Joseph Gawler’s Sons, Inc. Program volunteers have been widowed themselves, have completed the hospital’s volunteer and specialized bereavement trainings and now help newly widowed people through their own grief. This is done through one-on-one help, support groups, social activities, educational events, a biannual bereavement conference and a bimonthly newsletter. Program leaders recently launched “Next Steps,” a social program for persons who have been bereaved more than two years.

Who is it for?

Widowed members of the community.

Why do they do it?

Research has shown that newly widowed people benefit from interaction with other widowed people.

Impact

Widowed Persons Outreach currently has a membership of 320 widowed persons and 33 volunteers. Every year, approximately 950 personal condolence letters are sent to recently bereaved persons.

Contact: Sheliah Roy
Director, Public Relations and Marketing
Telephone: 202-243-2347
E-mail: sroy@jhmi.edu

Community Connections