Empowering seniors through education to prevent fraud and exploitation.

R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly is requesting funding to expand our Fraud Protection & Scam Prevention Workshops, designed to safeguard older adults from financial exploitation. These workshops will benefit seniors in Arizona and beyond, where fraud targeting older adults is rapidly escalating.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's "Elder Fraud Report," Americans over age 60 lost over $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11 % increase from 2022. The FBI further reports that in 2024, elder fraud losses approached $4.8 billion, with certain states—including Arizona—among the highest per‑capita rates. Arizona, in particular, saw a 36 % increase in elder fraud complaints per 100,000 seniors (rising from 212 to 289) between 2022 and 2023.

With this grant funding, R.O.S.E. will conduct interactive workshops that guide participants through real‑world scam scenarios, the anatomy of scams, prevention techniques, and steps to repair or report fraud. Funds will be used specifically for facilitator fees, updated educational materials, outreach to seniors, resource guides, and logistics with host partners. By investing in this proactive education, we aim to reduce seniors' financial losses, boost their confidence and independence, and strengthen community resilience.

R.O.S.E. will leverage a multi-channel, community-centered approach to reach older adults effectively. Workshops will be held at senior centers, libraries, faith-based organizations, senior housing communities, and veteran service organizations, as well as virtually, ensuring both in-person and online accessibility. We will partner with local nonprofits, healthcare providers, and municipal agencies to identify high-need populations and embed our program within trusted networks.

Outreach will include printed flyers, newsletters, social media campaigns, and email communications targeting seniors and their families, as well as promotion through community bulletin boards, local radio spots, and partner newsletters. 

Additionally, R.O.S.E. will offer take-home educational materials, guides, and follow-up resources, enabling seniors to share what they've learned with family members, caregivers, and peers. This layered approach ensures repeated exposure, reinforcement of key concepts, and the broad distribution of life-saving scam-prevention knowledge throughout Arizona's senior communities.

R.O.S.E. is expanding its Fraud Prevention Workshops regionally, beginning with targeted communities beyond Arizona to reach more aging adults, including veterans and underserved populations. The program is designed to be replicable and scalable, allowing organizations, senior centers, and community groups to deliver workshops within their own networks. To support broader adoption, R.O.S.E. offers a licensing option that provides external organizations with access to our comprehensive curriculum, facilitator training, and educational materials. This ensures consistent quality, broadens our reach, and empowers local partners to educate seniors in their communities while maintaining fidelity to R.O.S.E.'s proven methods.

R.O.S.E. shares the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation's commitment to creating meaningful change by uplifting and protecting vulnerable members of our communities. Our mission to educate, empower, and safeguard older adults from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation reflects a deep respect for people and their life experiences. By addressing the evolving challenges of our digital and economic landscape, R.O.S.E. honors the past through lessons learned, acts in the present to prevent harm, and builds a safer future for generations to come.