Equal Opportunities for Older Women
About the initiative Content and framework conditions Organisational background Back
Incontro per donne italiane a Darmstadt (Italian Women's Circle, Darmstadt)
Communicational details
Address:
ZIB - Zentrum für interkulturelle Begegnung
Mornewegstraße 15
64293 Darmstadt
Germany
Contact persons and their known foreign languages:
Paola Banfi, Group Director, Italian
Silvia P. Bono, Group Director, Italian
Telephone: 0049-6155-4935
0049-6151-894362
Telefax:
E-Mail:
Internet:
About the initiative
Status of the initiative:

The initiative is an initiative aimed at improving equal opportunities for older women through an organisation that pursues objectives which are independent of gender or age.
The initiative has the dicisive support of the following organisation:
Deutsches Rotes Kreuz Kreisverband Darmstadt-Stadt
Abteilung Migrationsarbeit
Address:
Hermannstraße 41
64285 Darmstadt
Deutschland
Telephone: 0049-6151-281291
Telefax: 0049-6151-281299
E-Mail: r.ylmas@drk.starkenburg.com
Internet:
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Content and framework conditions of the project work
The initiative was founded in: 2000
The initiative was founded because of the following reasons:

The initiative was founded because the number of older women immigrants who cannot or do not want to return to their home countries is increasing at a great pace.
Target group(s): Older Italian women immigrants
Targets: We aim to set up regular meetings for older immigrants at which they can exchange ideas and information in their own language and spend their free time with other women.
Details of the work done by the initiative:

The circle organises a communal breakfast at which participants have an opportunity to talk about themselves, listen to other women, and thus to come to grips with their own past as immigrants and with the problems of their everyday lives. Here they get to meet women who think as they do, with whom they can do things together - for instance find out what programs are offered for older women in Darmstadt which might be of interest to them. The Circle also passes on information about state provisions and assistance of which they might avail themselves.
The Circle offers the women a place where they can take time out for a few hours from their everyday lives and enjoy each other's company.
Areas of work of the initiative:
Leisure/sport
Social contacts
Health
Migration
Living circumstances
Success that the initiative has achieved:

We have received positive feedback from the participants, who have been attending regularly. The Italian community in Darmstadt and other social organisations have also responded positively to our initiative.
Problems that the initiative has been faced during its work:

The main difficulty is overcoming the reticence of the women at whom this initiative is aimed, getting them to "try something new" and come along to our meetings.
Participation of the target group concerning the conception, planning and implementation of the initiative's work:

The women play a major role in planning and running the meetings.
Co-operation:
Information:

We are available for people interested in receiving more information on our initiative by phone, post or e-mail.
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Organisational background of the initiative
Staff:

2 salaried employees at the supporting organisation.
The total number of hours worked for the initiative is approx. 6 hours per week.
Budget:

We have an annual budget of DM 4,500 (c. 2,250 Euro) at our disposal.
Sources of funding:
Funds from the supporting organisation(s)
Donations and funds from sponsors
Publications or information material available on our initiative:

We publish leaflets and advertise regularly in the daily press.
Recommended literature:
Tips and suggestions for people interested in foundig a similar initiative:

It has proved beneficial to establish contacts with religious communities, social workers in social institutions, Italian-speaking doctors, the Intercultural Office, the Ausländerbeirat (Foreigners Advisory Council), and "door openers" such as active women in the community.
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2001-04-25