Villages in Montgomery County Status Update June 2014.

Villages in Montgomery County

Status Update

June 2014

What is a Village?

A volunteer led grassroots movement that aims to support older adults who choose to age-in-place. The idea is simple: neighbor helping neighbor.

Communities design their own Village model based on their unique make up, interests, and needs. Some choose an intergenerational model.

Services may include social engagement and a variety of support services.

The possibilities are endless.

How does a Village start?

One or two people talk about this concept with their neighbors.

They form a planning committee.

The committee decides on a preferred Village structure.

The committee develops the essential elements of the Village (governance, main goals, communications strategies etc.)

The process may take 18-24 months.

Villages develop their unique structure independently, choosing features that meet their needs. They exist on a spectrum:

Structured Independent 501 (c )(3) Board with officers Hired staff Carried its own

insurance Members pay dues

Loose Under Civic /

Neighborhood Association or faith based organization

limited coordination function

No dues or funds All volunteer led

Villages offer a variety of services based on members’ needs and interests. Below is a limited list of examples:

Volunteer transportation Referrals to service (vetted, member

recommended, partner businesses) Social activities (meeting at local café,

featured speakers, walking groups, book clubs)

Limited in-home support (meals, laundry, home repairs, pet care and more)

Computer help Friendly calling and visiting

Villages by the numbers

12 active

(self identify, offer programs and/or services) 8 in development

(a planning groups meets regularly to decide on the character of their village)

8 in “seed” stage

(one or two people state they would like to start a village)

Active Villages

Bannockburn NAN Burning Tree Village Cabin John Chevy Chase At Home Greater Farmland Senior Village Little Falls Village Mill Creek Village Olney Home For Life Potomac Community Village Silver Spring Village (20910) Town of Garrett Park Senior Committee Village of Takoma Park (20912)

Villages in Development

Bethesda PlaceBethesda Metro Area VillageBradley Hills VillageMaplewood CommunityMontgomery Square citizen Association Muslim Community Center (20905)Sandy Spring Friends HosueWyngate Community

Villages in “seed” stage

Dufief Community (20878) City of Gaithersburg Good Hope Union Church (20905) Montgomery Square Citizen Association. St. Camillus Church (20906) Montgomery Village Peach Orchard Heights Civic Assoc.(20905) University Towers Condominiums (20902)

Active and Developing Villages in Montgomery County June 2014

Role of Local Communities of Faith

COF can serve as link to diverse and underserved groups.

Local COF are serving their aging members differently. Some COF have established a comprehensive

response to aging in place (For example St. Andrews). Working with the liaison to faith communities to learn

from successful COF models and identify COF needs. Working with COF (such as Muslim Community Center

and St. Camillus) to adapt the Village concept to a faith based aging in place model.

Logistics

SustainabilityFinancial

LeadershipBoard development

Professional ServicesHow to partnerVetting process

Legal responsibility

Information managementCommunications

OutreachDatabases

Legal obligationsInsuranceLiability

Incorporation IRS

Volunteer ManagementRecruiting

VettingTraining

Sustaining

SpaceMeeting spaces

Office space

It takes a village!

Resources for Villages:

Village to Village Network: We are members and share this resources with county villages.

Washington Area Villages Exchange: We are active participants in developing the WAVE database and website and in workshop planning.

Maryland Community of Practice: Biannual meeting of Maryland Villages facilitated by Carol Cober (Westat) and Maureen Cavaiola (Chesapeake At Home).

Village Ride: A grant funded pilot program that coordinates volunteer transportation rides for 5 Villages.

Montgomery County website Montgomery County BCC Regional Service Center: Able to offer

limited space and office support. Village Blueprint: Currently under revisions. Media and academic journals.

Contact

For more information:

Pazit Aviv

Village Coordinator

Area Agency on Aging

Health and Human Services

[email protected]

240-777-1231