This book examines the role of civil society organizations in defending the rights and addressing the needs of vulenerable groups, paying close attention to services for the elderly. The authors build on theories of state and non-governmental organizations to examine roles in the social contexts of Mexico and the U.S.

As the 21st Century unfolds, the traditional welfare state that evolved during the 20th Century faces serious threats to the solidarity that social programs were meant to strengthen. The rise of populist and nationalist parties reflects the decline of a sense of belonging and inclusiveness that mass education and economic progress were meant to foster, as traditional politics and parties are rejected by working- and middle-class individuals who were previously their staunchest supporters. Increasingly, these groups reject the growing gaps in income, power, and privilege that they perceive between themselves and highly educated and cosmopolitan business, academic, and political elites. When Strangers Become Family examines the potential role of civil society organizations in guaranteeing the rights and addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, paying particular attention to their role in advocacy for and service delivery to older people. The book includes a discussion of the origins and functions of this sector that focuses on the relationship between the state and non-governmental organizations, as well as a close examination of Mexico - a middle-income nation with a rapidly aging population and limited state welfare for older people. The data reveals important aspects of the relationship among government actors, civil society organizations, and political parties. Ronald Angel and Verónica Montes-de-Oca Zavala ask the fundamental question about the extent to which civil society organizations represent a potential mechanism whereby vulnerable individuals can join together to further their own interests and exercise their individual and group autonomy.

In Mexico, as elsewhere, longer lifespans, together with shorter health spans, decreasing fertility and deep social changes result in an increasing number of vulnerable and dependent older adults, whose fate, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic is severely compromised. This book offers very timely and comprehensive insights into the roles of civil society organizations in advocating and providing services to this population as they defend the human and social rights of older persons. Luis Miguel Gutiérrez, Director, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, México In When Strangers Become Family the authors highlight the roles of Civil Society Organizations in promoting care services in improving quality of life in old age, from a rights-based perspective, by promoting the new human rights agenda embodied in all international conventions since the World Assembly of Aging held in Madrid. Gloria Fernández-Mayoralas, Investigadora senior del Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, Spain This investigation focuses on diverse groups and their mission toenhance the quality of life of older people. Highlighted are three large groups: labor unions, groups that focus on quality of life of older people, and other groups that are guided by the ongoing struggle to protect human rights in later life. Maria Aranda, Associate Professor at the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, and Executive Director of the USC Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, USA An outstanding question since the emergence of mass society has been how government, public and private interest groups could organize to mitigate the hardships of people needing moral support and material assistance when intimate social networks are unable to adequately respond. This volume examines this dilemma through the lens of surging numbers of aging dependent people confronted with resource scarcity and provides insights and opportunities that transcend the geographic boundaries of the author's contextual analysis.? William Vega, Emeritus Provost Professor at the University of Southern California and former Executive Director of the USC Roybal Institute on Aging, USA