For the sixth consecutive year, Friday Friends has received a grant from the AWARE Fund at the Dallas Foundation. The $3,000 grant will be used in 2025 for supplies and to bring in professional programs such as neurologic music therapy and Texas Winds Musical Outreach.
Friday Friends is a Wilshire ministry that provides four hours of respite on two Fridays each month for a family member caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The program is run by volunteers from the church and the community, and it is funded through grants, the church budget and donations.
The AWARE Fund (awaredallas.org), established in 1989, supports nonprofit programs, projects and research that actively help those affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Our award letter read in part, “AWARE recognizes the important work that your organization is doing in the community and is delighted to partner with you in your efforts. Thank you for the outstanding contribution Wilshire Baptist Church is making in our community.”
The spouse of one of our participants wrote, “I wanted to send a note of thanks to you and the Friday Friends Family for all you do all year to bring joy to our families. We especially appreciate yesterday’s Christmas celebration, the beautiful poinsettia and the very special card that you sent home. We are blessed!”
Friday Friends is proud to have once again met the criteria of the AWARE grant review committee. If you or someone you know who is caring for a loved one with dementia would like to participate in Friday Friends, contact Minister to Senior Adults Katie Murray (kmurray@wilshirebc.org) or Linda Lyles, Friday Friends outreach coordinator (lilyles@sbcglobal.net).