The making of Meeting a Need
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It was through the experience of watching and helping her own mother, who was alone in the latter part of her life for over 43 years, that Terry Doyle realized there needed to be more help for elderly widows.
As she aged, Terry’s mom wanted to remain in her own home. She was a very strong, independent woman. She had a career, working at Drexel for over 20 years, and she raised 2 children. Now on her own, she still wanted to continue to live in her home. Most seniors, even as they age, desire to stay in their own home. It is a place of comfort and dignity. But of course, with age comes more difficulty with performing the daily households tasks that need to be done. For those who are alone, it's even more difficult. Each year, 800,000 people are widowed - and 87% of those are women. What's more among widows, the poverty rate is three to four times higher than for elderly married women.* Terry was blessed that she was close to her mom and able to help with the needs around the house. Over the years, her mom aged and the needs grew, but she was always happy to be able to care for the woman who raised and cared for her. But Terry knew that many seniors do not have children that live close by, and even when they do, they are often very busy with raising families of their own. This leaves many older people at home, with important tasks left undone - or worse with the senior trying to do them on their own unsafely. In 2017, in a hotel room in St. Louis, Missouri, during a break at the Joyce Meyer Annual Women's Conference, the Lord laid it on her heart to start an organization that would assist widows. There was a clear connection to a verse in the Bible: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” - James 1:27
Meeting a Need - using Power - the Power of the Holy Spirit - Man uP ~ was established! |
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Upon further study, Terry learned that in Biblical times, a woman was a considered a "widow" if her husband died, divorced her, or even if she had never married. Terry sensed that this organization she was being called to begin would help women in all of these categories.
Today, Meeting a Need serves those who are elderly and alone in the Chester and Delaware County areas by matching up willing and able helpers with those who need help. |
How you can help
Volunteer
If you would like to support Meeting a Need by volunteering your time, we would love to hear from you!
Request Help
If you know of someone in the area who needs help, please let us know here.
Support Financially
If you would like to support Meeting a Need with a donation, your gift is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Meeting a Need is administered by Unity Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Media, PA.
Please send your tax deductible donations, payable to Unity Center, to Meeting a Need, P.O. Box 133, Springfield, PA 19064.
Please notate Meeting a Need (Man uP) in the check description line.
If you would like to support Meeting a Need by volunteering your time, we would love to hear from you!
Request Help
If you know of someone in the area who needs help, please let us know here.
Support Financially
If you would like to support Meeting a Need with a donation, your gift is tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Meeting a Need is administered by Unity Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Media, PA.
Please send your tax deductible donations, payable to Unity Center, to Meeting a Need, P.O. Box 133, Springfield, PA 19064.
Please notate Meeting a Need (Man uP) in the check description line.
*Statistics From Seven Reasons Why Your Church Should Have a Ministry to Widows.
