Empowering Connection: Three Women Building Community
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Shelley Emling, the executive editor of The Ethel, celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Month by thanking AARP volunteers and highlighting Ethel organizers. These organizers have established private Facebook groups across 46 states to facilitate in-person meetups and foster connections among older women. She interviews three organizers—Alex Staus (Southern New Hampshire/Merrimack Valley), Cynthia Johnson (Southern Indiana), and Justine Clark (Kansas City)—to explore why they volunteer, the challenges women face in making friends later in life (such as retirement, moving, loss, health, and mobility issues), and what they’ve learned about women’s willingness to try new experiences. They discuss obstacles such as low event turnout and share strategies, including varying event times, using name tags, and hosting virtual “coffee” meetups. Popular activities include meals, bowling, roller derby, and day trips. They encourage viewers to join or create groups using AARP Ethel resources and email contacts.
Shelley Emling, the executive editor of The Ethel, celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation Month by thanking AARP volunteers and highlighting Ethel organizers. These organizers have established private Facebook groups across 46 states to facilitate in-person meetups and foster connections among older women. She interviews three organizers—Alex Staus (Southern New Hampshire/Merrimack Valley), Cynthia Johnson (Southern Indiana), and Justine Clark (Kansas City)—to explore why they volunteer, the challenges women face in making friends later in life (such as retirement, moving, loss, health, and mobility issues), and what they’ve learned about women’s willingness to try new experiences. They discuss obstacles such as low event turnout and share strategies, including varying event times, using name tags, and hosting virtual “coffee” meetups. Popular activities include meals, bowling, roller derby, and day trips. They encourage viewers to join or create groups using AARP Ethel resources and email contacts.