Are You a Widow? Do You Have a Friend Who Is?
The loneliness and vulnerability experienced by women who lose their husbands to death is enormous. Widows often believe they are the only one experiencing this loss.
A local group, Widow to Widow, exists to create community, connection and companionship for widows. Our groups bring these widows together, to share life, to make friends and to move forward together.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
The monthly W2W gatherings provide some light-hearted fun, some food, and some learning as each of us looks to move forward and create a new life without our husband. Women can also complete a Grief Support program through W2W.
We invite all widows to drop in to one of our gatherings and check us out.
COME JOIN US!
- We meet on the 3rd Thursday of every month
- 1:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
- Westend Seniors Activity Centre (9629 176 Street NW Edmonton)
QUESTIONS?
Contact our coordinator:
- Email: alton034@telus.net, or
- Telephone: 780 487 9034
NOVEMBER NEWS AND ACTIVITIES
Here’s a little summary of a number of events coming up in the next few weeks.
Friday, November 1, 2024
11:30 a.m.
LUNCH AT PAT & MIKES
- We will meet at Pat and Mike’s Restaurant (17732 – 102 Avenue) for lunch and a visit.
- Please let Elaine Alton know if you’d like to attend so she can arrange for a seat at the table for you.
- Call her at 780 487 9034, email her at alton034@telus.net,
Tuesday, November 12th
11:30 a.m.
LUNCH AT RICE PAPER RESTAURANT
- Let’s meet at Rice Paper Restaurant, 10080 – 178 Street, for lunch.
- They have an extensive menu of Vietnamese/Chinese food, and there’s a lunch special every day.
- Please let Elaine Alton know if you’d like to attend so she can arrange for a seat at the table for you.
- Call her at 780 487 9034, email her at alton034@telus.net,
Thursday, November 21st
1:30 p.m.
OUR MONTHLY MEETING
- We will gather at Westend Seniors Activity Center (WSAC) (9629 176 Street) in the cafe for a time of getting acquainted, visiting, learning, and conversation.
- We’ve outgrown the boardroom (already!!), so our friends at the Center have moved us to the cafe. Plan to join us there!
Thursday, December 5th
1:30 p.m.
OUR CHRISTMAS GATHERING
- We’ll wind up this year’s gatherings as we meet in the café at WSAC, 9629 176 Street, for a time of visiting, conversation, singing, and sharing with each other our favorite Christmas sweet treats.
- Please bring a sample of your favorite Christmas baking (along with a recipe if you don’t mind sharing!).
- I’ll gather the recipes and find the best way to share them all with you.
- The WSAC Choir will be with us to lead us through a selection of Christmas music to help kick off the season in fine style! It’s going to be great!!
Collecting For Hope Mission
- Also at the December 5 gathering, we will collect donations for Hope Mission in support of their inner city ministries.
- We suggest clothing like warm socks, hats, scarves, gloves, mitts, and anything else that might be important to keep warm through the winter months.
- We will also collect small size shampoo containers, bars of soap, toothbrushes, small tubes of toothpaste, women’s sanitary supplies, disposable razors, small shaving cream containers, and other personal care products would be welcome.
- Once again, cash or cheque donations will be handed to the Hope Mission so that they may purchase items that they need.
- If you choose to donate by cash or cheque and would like to receive a tax receipt, please seal your donation in an envelope along with a note providing your name, address, and telephone number.
Programs At The Westend Seniors Activity Center (WSAC)
- Westend Seniors Activity Centre – 9629 – 176 Street NW, Edmonton
- For all of the activities listed below, register by
- calling the front desk at 780 483 1209,
- sending an email to charis@weseniors.ca, or
- if you are a WSAC member you can register online at MyActiveCentre.
Thursday, October 31st
8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Active Aging Series: Solo Travel for Women.
- There will be great travel advice and information from travel-related experts like Manulife Insurance, Edmonton International Airport, Expedia Cruises, and Network Travel.
- Let’s get together and get inspired to start traveling again!
- Cost to attend: $3.00 which includes refreshments and muffins.
Thursday, November 7th
8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
National Seniors Safety Week.
- Stop into the Harry Farmer Room between 8:45 and 11:30 am.
- Cost is $3.00 which includes coffee and treats, door prizes, loot bags, and a variety of resources to help us remain safe in our homes and in our community.
Thursday, November 14
1:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
“Are You Prepared?” – Leaving Legacy To Preventing Fights and Lawsuits
- Continuing in the theme of National Seniors Safety Week, plan to attend a session entitled,
- Admission, coffee, and treats, door prizes, loot bags, and a variety of resources are included in the low cost of $3.00
Friday, November 22
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
TOONIE TALK – Understanding Basic Investment Paperwork
Presentation by Research Capital – Wei Woo
- Join Wei Woo as we discuss the basic paperwork that most investment clients go through in their regular course of a client relationship with an investment firm.
- It is more important than ever for investors to understand the security and legalities of investing with trustworthy banks and investment firms.
- Cost for this session is $3.00 for non-members of WSAC, and the session is free for WSAC members.
Concerts in the Community
- St. Andrews United Church, 9915 – 148 Street, continues to offer concerts periodically throughout the year. Admission is by donation ($10 is suggested). There’s plenty of parking, and the building is accessible.
- Sunday, November 17 – 2 pm. Harmonia Edmonton, a seven-member string and wind ensemble and part of the Edmonton Philharmonic Orchestra, will perform a variety of show tunes and pop music that you’ll know and love. Invite a friend to come along to these events and enjoy every moment!
Pillar of Service
- As you may know, Widow to Widow is conducted under five key pillars – SAFE, SOCIAL, SUPPORTIVE, SPIRITUAL, and SERVICE. The pillar of service exists to provide us with opportunities to serve each other and our community. This particular opportunity is dear to my heart, and I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending it to you.
- Every November and December, The Salvation Army holds its annual Kettle Campaign – you’ll see volunteers tending to the kettles in key locations throughout the City, collecting funds for their year-round operations. Funds raised in Edmonton remain in Edmonton.
- I would strongly encourage you to volunteer for a shift (or several) in a convenient location for you. The shifts are short – just two hours of your time – and you’ll be amazed by the stories you’ll hear and the people you’ll encounter.
- To select a location and a shift that fits your schedule, contact Sherry Alvaro, Administrative Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator, at (780) 424-9222 ext. 400 or by email at Sherry.Alvaro@salvationarmy.ca
Be well
Elaine Alton
Widow To Widow Coordinator
Who We Are
Our organization began in 2010 in Sherwood Park and now our eight communities bring over 200 widows together each month. Four of these groups meet in Edmonton – in the west end, central Edmonton and Ellerslie Road. Some groups meet in the evening; others meet at daytime and weekend times.
While Widow to Widow (W2W) is a Christian organization, Widow to Widow is a ministry of Connecting Streams, our communities offer support for widows of all ages, cultures, faiths, and backgrounds. The five foundational pillars that guide our groups are that we create spaces that are safe, social, supportive, spiritual, and places of service.
