SWAMPSCOTT — Seaglass Village, a nonprofit based on helping seniors live independently, has announced that the organization has received a $30,000 grant from the Women’s Fund of Essex County to support subsidized memberships for women over the next three years.
The ultimate goal of the funding is to help reduce isolation among older women in Swampscott, Nahant and Marblehead, according to the press release, which will help provide critical support to increase socialization among the organization’s members.
Thanks to the support of the Women’s Fund of Essex County, Seaglass Village will offer more than 70 subsidized memberships. Currently, the organization serves residents throughout Swampscott, Nahant and Marblehead, but has also previously announced plans to expand its operations into Salem.
Seaglass Village President Doreen Hodgkin expressed her excitement for the organization receiving the grant, explaining how it will help Seaglass Village grow.
“We are both delighted and honored to receive this grant,” Hodgkin said. “It will allow us to serve more women in need and ensure equitable access to essential services.”
Members of Seaglass Village have access to a number of different services: A variety of social and educational programs, from informal gatherings to organized outings; transportation to medical and dental appointments, grocery stores, and other errands; help with light household chores and simple home repairs; Technical assistance with computers, phones, and other digital devices, and friendly phone calls and in-person visits.
Co-Founder and Board Member of Seaglass Village and Director of Aging Services Heidi Whear explained how the funding helps address a critical need for the organization.
“All of these services help combat social isolation, which can significantly impact a person’s health,” Whear said. “We’re working to build a stronger, more inclusive community — one where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, has the opportunity to thrive.”
The Women’s Fund of Essex County changes the lives of women, and girls, in need or at risk, by targeting and funding transformative programs that address complex and overlapping issues, the press release noted.
Through a thorough grant allocation process, it partners with organizations that provide women and girls a path to meet their potential. The Women’s Fund is a field of interest fund of Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF).
