FOREVER YOUNG PROGRAM
Program Description
" 'Some [wishes] are just so simple. Some are very complex,' she said. 'When you're dealing with people and their hearts and something they've always wanted, you never know what you're going to get.'
- Diane Hight, Founder Forever Young.
source: 'Charitable groups grant seniors long-held wishes' By Melissa Kossler Dutton. usatoday.com
"What is a wish? A wish is any unfulfilled dream or unmet need. It can be something a senior has held in their heart for a lifetime, like flying a WWII plane or it can be as simple as getting a wheelchair. Forever Young will grant wishes for seniors 65 years and older. Health is not an issue. Each wish is evaluated individually and must be a reasonable request."
-foreveryoungseniorwish.org
Making a wish for senior veterans may include fulfilling the following:
Reunion Dreams - elderly wishing to reunite with someone from the past such as a relative or friend.
Life Long Dreams - elderly fulfilling a life long dream of experiencing an activity they have always longed for such as learning a new skill, graduating from college, thrill seeking, going on a trip or an outdoor experience.
Just for Fun Dreams - seniors have a chance to visit a museum or go to a show or meet a favorite celebrity
Needs Based Dreams -providing seniors with an important item or service that allows them to do something they would like to do such as free wheelchair.
Anyone can request or submit a wish they would like fulfilled for a senior through an online application.
Sponsors for senior dreams can make a wish come true by donating on the “Forever Young” website. Sponsors are called “Dreamgivers,” and can be individuals, businesses or organizations. Volunteers are also needed to help make a wish come true by donating their time and skills to help arrange and organize wish details.
In addition to granting wishes for seniors, The Forever Young Program also takes World War II veterans on a “Trip of a Lifetime” to see the National WWII Memorial in Washington D.C. This is a valuable part of the program as it is often too difficult for elderly veterans to arrange such a trip on their own.
The mission of the Forever Young Program is to be change the image of aging and redefine it with self-confidence, respect, and a hopeful life for senior veterans.
source: foreveryoungseniorwish.org
MAKE A WISH - SENIOR DREAMS PROGRAMS:
Honor Flight Network Program - Across the United States. Transporting America's war veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices.
Dream Foundation Dream Granting Program - Across the United States. A make a wish type program making dreams come true for seniors and adults suffering life-limiting illness.
Second Wind Dreams Program- Across the United States and Canada. Senior residents of long-term care facilities or hospice have their dreams come true with the help of this make a wish type program.
Wish of a Lifetime Program - Across the United States. A make a wish program that partners with Brookdale Senior Living granting tailored senior dreams and wishes that fulfill anything from basic needs, thrill seeking activities to life long dreams.
Seniors Dreams Program - Ontario, Canada. Helps seniors living in the community and nursing homes to achieve life long dreams or to simply make a wish happen
Twilight Wish Program - Across the United States. To honor and enrich the lives of elderly living in nursing homes by granting senior dreams through a make a wish type model. To help make dreams come true for those seniors in nursing homes who do not have the ability on their own to do the types of activities they would like to do.
Intergenerational Education Wish Granting Initiative -Across the United States. Intergenerational wish program where students interact with seniors throughout the process by meeting and learning what senior's wishes are, organizing fundraising to help purchase senior dreams and finally present wishes to seniors.
Seniors Have Dreams Too Program - Wallingford, CT, USA. A make a wish program that grants wishes to seniors living on limited, low incomes (at or below the current federal government poverty level.
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