WISE News - Your Community Newsletter

Taking a Stand Against the Sexual Assault of Older Adults

April was Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Denim Day, held on April 26th, was a day when people all over the world wore jeans to protest the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.

WISE & Healthy Aging took a stand against the sexual assault of older adults, by going gray on Denim Day and wearing jeans and "Go Gray on Denim Day" t-shirts!

Although sexual abuse is reported to occur most often in younger people, it is often not reported when it happens to an older adult. According to research compiled by the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), studies show that sexual assault in older adults is highly underreported, and survivors are hesitant to reach out for help.

“As an organization who has been advocating for older adults for more than 50 years and working with older survivors of sexual abuse, we must call attention to this serious social issue,” said Rachel Tate, Vice President of Ombudsman Services at WISE & Healthy Aging.

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We Can't Thank You Enough!

Meet Mark, one of WISE's

many amazing volunteers:

Whether it's instructing a class for Club WISE, helping to serve lunch to seniors at WISE Diner, assisting with activities in our Adult Day Center, serving as a Peer Counselor or volunteering as an Ombudsman Advocate for older and disabled adults in long-term care facilities, we are so grateful for the volunteers who do such incredible work with our clients every April and throughout the year!

When Mark Kaiserman retired from his career as a public defender 14 years ago, he wanted to give back to his community. His cousin Mina had inspired him with her community activism, passion for social justice and in taking on a second career as a receptionist at an assisted living facility after retiring as a school teacher.

Jokingly describing his volunteer role as a “water boy,” Mark helps serve lunch to clients in various stages of memory loss at WISE who attend our Adult Day Center. He says he relates to them, as a few of his family members have had or currently have Alzheimer’s disease and he wants to help.

Volunteering for Mark also means providing laughter - as the best medicine - with the corny jokes he has become known for telling clients.

“What does the fish say when it slams into the wall? Oh dam! What did the mayonnaise say to the refrigerator? Close the door, I’m dressing.”

Thank you Mark for your amazing contributions to WISE & Healthy Aging!

Considering Volunteering?

Good Times in April!

WISE Minds kicked off “Earth Month” with "crazy hats" made out of newspapers. Here they show off their "recycled couture."

Adult Day Center clients participate in a Drum Circle, led by Heathor Kulber of Music Mends Minds.

WISE Diners wore "Go Gray on Denim Day" t-shirts to show their support for older victims of sexual assault.

WISE Minds takes a field trip using their tap cards on the Big Blue Bus that took them to refill water bottles at Square One.

For men looking to navigate the next chapter of life beyond work, WISE & Healthy Aging's Peer Counseling program will begin an in-person, casual group where you can ask questions and share insights with other like-minded men seeking feedback, validation, and answers to life's challenges.

Please contact us for more information at 310-394-9871, ext. 289.

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WISE & Healthy Aging, a non-profit, community-based social service organization, advances the dignity and quality of life of older adults through leadership, advocacy and high-quality, innovative services.

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