The Marion Council on Aging received a $2,500 grant from Southcoast Health to support the Marion Waterfront Memory Cafe.

The Memory Cafe offers individuals with any type of memory loss the opportunity to meet face-to-face with people who are going through the same thing. The group meets every Wednesday at the Benjamin D. Cushing Community Center, and includes lunch, games, music, crafts and occasional speakers.

“Our Memory Café is a weekly gathering where everyone can interact, find support, establish friendships and share concerns without feeling embarrassed or misunderstood,” said Marion Council on Aging Program Director Karen Gregory. “Coming together with others who are experiencing the same challenges in a non-judgmental environment makes the world less confusing and lonely. We are profoundly grateful to funding partners like the Southcoast Health that enable us to continue providing this vital community service.”

The money for the grant came from the Community Benefits Impact Opportunity program. Through this program. Southcoast Health is awarding grants totaling up to $125,000 to non-profit organizations that are working to address unmet health needs in the South Coast region.