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The Association for the Relief of Aged Women of New Bedford

The Association for the Relief of Aged Women of New Bedford

ABOUT

The Association for the Relief Of Aged Women’s
mission is to furnish financial assistance, to provide friendship
and to promote the welfare and relief of elderly women.


The organization’s founding principles of “women helping women” and “not alms alone, but a friend” has guided the ARAW since it was established in 1866.

ARAW is led by hard working volunteer board members and a small but dedicated staff who address the needs of over 275 women in the communities of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Westport through direct financial support. ARAW also partners with and awards grants to community organizations who offer programs and activities which align with our mission of assisting elderly, low income women. Unique to a private foundation, the board members of ARAW prioritize friendship as a key component to the support offered to our beneficiaries and visit on a friendly basis.

For over 155 years, this mission of helping elderly women in need as friends has been preserved, fostered and managed by compassionate stewards who hold true to the original intentions of its founding women led by Rachel Howland.

The Association for the Relief of Aged Women of New Bedford operates under the General Laws of Massachusetts as a private non-profit 501c(3).

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