I've been an Elder with Elder Wisdom Circle for a little more than 5 years. It give me a great sense of accomplishment to answer life questions for our advice seekers, as well as a sense of purpose. It's kind of like being a revered grandparent for hundreds of people across the world.
Questions range from simple "What should I do with my life?" to "Struggling with sexual identity" and anything in between. Many of the individuals I write to, also write back to let me know my advice was helpful or to ask for more advice. It's very fulfilling work, and I think it also provides a needed service. In this day and age not every young person has an elder they can ask anything to. EWC fills that void.
EWC works on a shoestring budget. The original founder stepped down a couple of years ago and we've been transitioning to being Board directed with an Executive Director. Most of our funds are donated by Elders and family members and it all goes directly to our mission. We'd love some corporate sponsors, especially since our platform needs an update badly. We're still working on that!
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- EIN 20-0609575
- 734 Tampico Walnut Creek CA 94598-2929 USA
- www.ElderWisdomCircle.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Arts & Culture, Human Service Organizations, Human Services, Media & Communications, Philanthropy, Senior Centers, Seniors, Voluntarism Promotion
Mission: The Elder Wisdom Circle was created so that our seniors could share their hard-earned knowledge and wisdom with the world. Today more than 600 Elders have responded to over 100,000 requests for advice. Too often, little consideration is given to the mental and emotional well-being of our oldest citizens. Elder Wisdom Circle provides an opportunity for seniors to engage in meaningful volunteerism, exercise their cognitive abilities, work with others in a group environment, remain connected to society, and utilize their life experience and wisdom to help others of all ages.
Programs: Elder Wisdom Circle is a web-based organization. Elders participate individually from their home computers or in groups ("Circles," led by trained volunteer facilitators) at assisted living communities nationwide. Elders and Circles typically spend 2-3 hours per week responding to requests for advice. The service, which is free, is provided to the general public via the World Wide Web. Anyone with access to the Internet can request advice on any topic and will receive a personalized e-mail response from an Elder or Elder Circle. Advice seekers come from all walks of life and represent a truly diverse range of ages, genders, races, ancestries, religions, socio-economic backgrounds, and other variables. The Elder Wisdom Circle comprises both the Elders who offer advice and the Seekers who solicit it. Elders may apply at our website. To show their support, people of all ages are encouraged to share the Circle with others. Anyone who is interested in personalized advice can simply visit our website. Our goal is to extend the Circle to every community in the country and become the most widely read source for personal advice. Elder Wisdom Circle also publishes weekly advice columns in numerous publications throughout the country and our book "The Elder Wisdom Circle Guide for a Meaningful Life" was published in November 2007. Our Elders' advice is referenced and republished in numerous online forums around the globe.