The National Widowers’ Organization is undertaking a two year project that will allow us to improve services and resources for widowers and we need your help.
Drs. Kathleen R. Gilbert and Sherry Schachter, two of our Board Members, will conduct a two phase study through 2023. Their expertise and affiliations with Indiana University, Calvary Hospital/Hospice (NY), and organizations they are involved with positions them to successfully complete the project but they will need support.
Their objective is to determine how well our Widower-to-Widower Program is working and ways of strengthening it. We will be asking men who participated in the program to tell us what has and hasn’t worked. This is based on our idea and desire about, “What more can we do?, and How can we improve?” services for widowers.
Drs. Gilbert and Schachter point out there’s so little research that has been done focusing on the men’s experience. It has become common for people to think , “well, it’s probably a lot like the experience of widows.” While there are overlapping areas, it’s the experience of the widowers and the unique challenges they face, that need to receive attention. Everyone knows the loss of a spouse/partner is painful, but for therapists, counselors, clergy, social workers, and others to be able to serve these men, they need to have an idea of what particular challenges they face, both from others and within themselves.
In our society, men are expected (and often expect themselves) to be tough and able to bounce back after a loss. Dr. Gilbert mentions, “I’m reminded of a conference session I attended where the speaker was talking about her program to serve widows and when she brought up widowers, the gist of her message was “we don’t need to worry about the men. They’ll take care of themselves. They’ll find a wife in no time flat.” She was not kidding about how this perception was presented.
Dr. Schachter adds regarding the importance of this study, “I echo Kathy’s comments and in my 40 plus years of experience in doing this work, I have always been struck by the lack of research (qualitative or quantitative) related to widowers. Most bereavement researchers have focused on Caucasian widows. Anecdotally, I know that there are differences – and now this research opportunity will hopefully provide us with foundational information to continue studying this underserved population. It will provide a timeline for the National Widowers’ Organization to move forward, and can create future research projects. We will be able to strengthen and fulfill our mission statement and offer innovative ways to further help bereaved spouses/partners.”
Based on the number of people we reach through our website (nationalwidowers.org) we feel that we are the preeminent information resource for widowers. With this new project, which requires an investment of $60,000, we aim to continue to maintain our leadership. All of our normal operating expenses for the next year are already underwritten so please consider making a donation now to help us meet this extraordinary expense knowing that your entire support will go towards helping us minimize the suffering a widower encounters.
Helping us is also good for you, too. Besides knowing that you are helping those who grieve, you also get a financial benefit. Since the operating costs of the NWO are fully underwritten every cent you donate will go to helping widowers not overhead expenses and as a 501c3 non-profit your donation is fully tax deductible.
Please send checks to our corporate address below or donate online.
The National Widowers’ Organization, Inc.
25 Osprey Lane
Chilmark, MA 02535
Thank you for your consideration.
Sam Feldman
Chairman and Founder
The National Widower’s Organization
