WE ARE FAMILY: Outreach to African-American Seniors

The San Fransisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention initiated a project to explore the scope and nature of elder abuse in the African-American community. Under the banner of "WE ARE FAMILY," an alliance of African-American service providers, seniors, and churches has redefined elder abuse in the African-American community and has developed strategies for disseminating information and improving access to services. The group has produced culturally specific outreach materials and planned events designed to raise consciousness about seniors' needs and provide opportunities for African-American seniors to learn about services and benefits. The project also encourages churches to develop special programs and services for seniors.