Barbara Hughes Sullivan, Executive Director
Dear VTV Network,
Are you ready for the next challenge? Aging means changing—are you ready? Village to Village Network is YOUR national membership organization comprised of 350 community-based Villages throughout the United States
The Village Movement has successfully established a model for aging, enabling older adults in their communities to stay active, connected and to continue to support interdependence. We see firsthand that Villages improve quality of life, provide alternatives in transportation and support services and tackle isolation in our Village communities. We are proud that the Movement is growing!
On Tuesday, November 27, VtVN will participate in #GivingTuesday. We need your support! Village to Village Network’s success would not be possible without the help of our Villages, supporters, sponsors and partnerships, established over the last 10 years. In order to further our mission, the movement needs your financial support. Will you help us fulfill our vision of expanding the opportunity, choice, support and care for all older people?
With the generous contributions of Network Village members and friends like you, we can continue to fill the gaps in the United States that are void of Villages. Your tax-deductible gift will go a long way in growing and sustaining the Village Movement!
Thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!
-Barbara
P.S. Donations can also be made directly on our website at www.vtvnetwork.org
New face at VtV Network!
Say hello to new Office Manager Betsy Clagett
Betsy has been involved with villages since 2010 when she became the office manager of Mount Vernon At Home, a village in Alexandria, VA. She was extensively involved there, coordinating with members and volunteers, newsletter production, marketing material development, financial reports, and a variety of other activities.
Prior to Mount Vernon At Home, Betsy had a wide range of professional activities including 8 years as marketing/event coordination at an historic rental venue and 15 years as a defense contractor supporting naval warfare logistics programs.
Betsy holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University. She and her husband have three daughters who have “grown and flown” to different parts of the world.
As the year winds down, we continue to count down the Top 10 Ways Villages Make It Possible To Age In Place.
Many Villages offer help with technology such as laptops or smartphones. Check with your local Village to see if they offer such services.
Another trend among Villages is the use of smart speakers such as Amazon Echo devices. With companies such as GrandPad, Iamfine, Intuition Robotics, Cuida Health and many others working to build technology specifically for older adults, there's no telling what the future of aging may hold!
A major benefit of being a member of a Village is that it keeps you engaged with people. From daily check-in calls, to friendly visits, to social activities, Villages offer services that ensure you don't become lonely as you age.
We will finish up the "Top 10 Ways Villages Make It Possible" next month. Let us know what we left off the list, and be sure to give on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, to your local Village and to Village to Village Network. Without your support, we can't be there for Villages in need.
At Home Chesapeake Celebrates Ten Years in Anne Arundel County
Recently At Home Chesapeake (AHC) celebrated its 10th anniversary at Café Bretton. In 2008 under the leadership of Maureen Cavaiola, AHC created a “Village” in Anne Arundel County and the first such “Village” in Maryland to educate and empower its members to live and age well in their own homes, rather than live out their lives in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Today there are 23 “Villages” in the state.
Bettie Farrar, current Managing Director, welcomed members and guests. Speakers included Maureen Cavaiola who traveled from her new home in San Diego, Peter Engstrom, a member who also sits on the national Village to Village Network Board of Directors and Barbara Buchleitner representing Pamela Jordan of the Anne Arundel County Dept. on Aging and Disabilities.
The mission, vision, goals and strategic approach adopted by the national movement were originally developed by AHC. AHC’s Master Aging Plan has been adopted by many of the existing “Villages”.
AHC provides social connectivity and helps reverse the social isolation of many seniors. It is not a fee-for-service group as some “Villages” are. According to AARP, over 1,000 “Villages” will develop over the next 10 years. The “Village” movement is now recognized as the first grand social movement of the 21st century. Aging Americans do not want to move; many cannot afford the costs of a traditional continuing care retirement community and our communities do not have resources needed to provide them with the quality of life they seek in their later years.
Nationally, there has evolved a true understanding across the government and across organizations working on aging issues that the “Village” movement is one of the best ways to meet the challenges of aging in America. At Home Chesapeake is proud to have been in the forefront of this movement, right here in Anne Arundel County.
Sharing a Message from Village Movement California
California Wildfires and Older Adults
The Camp Fire in Paradise and the surrounding areas is the most destructive wildfire in our state’s history. It has displaced 52,000 people, burned 7,600 homes and disproportionately impacted older adults 60 and over. It is hard to fathom the losses residents are dealing with, or find solutions to the daunting question of “what’s next in their lives?” While this area of Northern California is home to thousands of retired adults, it does not have a Village. There are many organizations, churches and volunteers who provide support to these community members. Village leaders are emailing me asking how we might assist fire survivors. For now, monetary donations are welcome. The North Valley Community Foundation has 2 funds you might consider. Community foundations do not charge overhead for processing these contributions.
The Woolsey Fire and Borderline shooting devastated communities in and around Thousand Oaks, home to Conejo Valley Village. I spoke with the Board chair last week and was happy to hear that her village members had escaped immediate harm. They planned to gather for an annual Thanksgiving luncheon, one undoubtedly filled with gratitude, grief and fear. The Ventura County Community Foundation has opened a fund for survivors of both the shooting and the fire.
I recently heard Governor Brown say that wildfires are California’s” new abnormal”. Communities located at the edge of forestland are at highest risk. Many of these are affordable places for older adults to retire and build a meaningful life. How will Californians prepare for this scenario? How can the Village Movement contribute to building community and resiliency in the face of the threat of fire? I ask you to send me your thoughts and ideas so that we can talk about these issues together. Share your ideas here.
With gratitude for you and the communities you serve,
Charlotte Dickson, Executive Director
Village Anniversaries!
- Bethesda Metro Area Village, MD - 2 years
- Northeast Village PDX - Villages NW, OR - 2 years
- SLO Village, CA - 2 years
- Greater Lewes Community Village, DE - 5 years
- Wellington Cares, FL - 6 years
- Village at Home, MD - 7 years
- Wellesley Neighbors, MA - 7 years
- Penn's Village, PA - 11 years
Credits:
Created with images by Pro Church Media - "Thankful" • Rye Jessen - "untitled image" • photo-nic.co.uk nic - "Sunset and wine"