A Mount Vernon Square Village?

 

 

Most people want to “age-in-place” or remain in their homes as they age. Grassroots organizations called “Villages” are emerging in communities across the country to help make this a viable option. Villages help people remain safely and comfortably at home – and socially connected to their neighborhoods – even as their physical needs change.

 

The first Village, Beacon Hill in Boston, was founded in 2001. It served as a model for neighborhood organizers in the District of Columbia. The six Villages operating in the District offer a myriad of services to make living activities easier for people as they age. Transportation to such places as doctor appointments, grocery store, pharmacy is one of the main services. Meal preparation and delivery, light home maintenance, help with computers, the Internet or electronic devices, help with running errands are a few more. Other services are removal of leaves in the fall, and snow in the winter, record keeping, filling out forms, and tending to plants, helping with pets. Villages offer a center of information for cultural and physical activities shared by others.

 

Most of these services are performed by corps of volunteers living in the neighborhood. For other services the Village provides access to vetted local service providers.

 

For more information about the Village concept, visit the Village to Village Network, http://www.vtvnetwork.org/

and

For information about Villages in Washington DC.

Anyone in the Mount Vernon Square neighborhood who is interested in becoming part of a Village, please contact Dick Munn at 202-393-3493, or email