It Takes a Village - Livable Oregon

Yes, it does take a village. Not only to raise happy, healthy and well adjusted children, but to continue our wellbeing through out life.  That's why we are excited to share with you a little bit about the growing "village" movement right here in our neck of the woods. We recently caught up with Eastside Village, a new organization that just begun serving southeast Portland neighborhoods. Eastside Village is but one of several villages that will be operating in the Portland Metro region in the near future and we wanted to make sure you had an opportunity to learn about the village model, what they do, and how you can get involved.

What is a Village?
Villages are membership fee based groups that provide coordinated volunteer services and social and recreational events for people who want to “age in place”.  In other words, Villages allow people to grow older in their own homes and communities.

How did the idea get started?
The concept began over a decade ago in Beacon Hill, in Boston, MA, when a group of residents formed a Village so they could remain in their homes while they aged. There are now 150 Villages in the United States, Australia and the Netherlands, with 140 more in development.
In Portland, under the umbrella of the parent non-profit, Villages NW, there are six villages in development and one, Eastside Village, that has been open and providing services since October 2015. Three more Portland area villages are expected to open in Fall 2016 with the rest to open in 2017.

Why Villages?  Why Now?  Why Portland?
According to Greater Portland Pulse, the 2010 census reported 190,000 people aged 65 and older living in Portland metro area.  By 2030, that number is expected to grow to almost 395,000.  Most older adults prefer to remain in their own homes as they age but many need just a little bit of help to avoid isolation and to stay safe in their homes. Village members have a ready-made social network and volunteer services at their disposal to help them be safe and comfortable in their homes.

Additionally, Villages dramatically reduce the burden placed on adult children by aging parents.  By providing members with a complementary system of support which is reliable, affordable and appealing, Villages provide respite to family caregivers as well as peace of mind for family members that live far away.

What do Villages provide that would make someone want to join as a member and or volunteer? 
Villages like Eastside Village, generally provide three basic services to members: coordinated volunteer assistance; coordinated social, educational and recreational events; and access to pre-screened professional service providers such as roofers, auto repair shops and electricians.
A popular volunteer service provided by Villages is transportation to the grocery stores, pharmacy, or social events.  Other volunteer services include pet walking, housekeeping chores like changing unreachable light bulbs, and computer support.  Social events coordinated by Villages range from monthly Happy Hours and coffee groups to theater outings, book groups and walking clubs.

How do villages contribute to the livability of Portland?
In October 2015, Portland Monthly named Villages NW, the Portland Villages’ parent organization, the year’s Best New Nonprofit. Villages NW was further honored by attendees at the ceremony, who selected them as one of two “favorite nonprofits” in a tie vote.

Villages are affordable membership organizations.  Village members stay in their Portland homes and contribute to the fabric of their neighborhoods. This keeps their spending local, their friendships nearby and their active participation in local events and activities in the area. They also contribute to intergenerational neighborhoods, which are an important part of healthy, livable places.  Finally, they provide volunteer opportunities for people that want to help their neighbors by providing a little extra assistance.

Why is there a membership fee?
Even though they are mostly “driven” by volunteers, Villages are responsible for a variety of expenses including liability insurance for members, volunteers and Council Officers, background checks for volunteers, administration fees to Villages NW, office rent and office supplies. Membership fees help make the villages sustainable.

How much does it cost to be a member and are there scholarships available?
Most Villages have two levels of membership: social and full service. Using Eastside Village as an example, annual dues for a social membership is $300 for individuals and $500 for couples. Full service member dues are $580 for individuals and $780 for couples. Our hope and desire is to do this [scholarships] down the line when we are more established.  For now we are still building our membership and presence thus funding isn't available at this level.

Do Villages “compete” with other organizations that provide services?
Not at all.  Designed as a concierge referral program, Villages do not duplicate services.  Villages will refer members to existing services where appropriate and provide volunteer assistance when other options are not viable.  Villages fill the gaps between programs and services provided by neighborhood associations, churches and service organizations in the community.

Who is your leadership?
All Portland area villages are coordinated by volunteer leadership groups, called Governing Councils. Eastside Village has a six member Governing Council, made up of Eastside members and volunteers.  Currently, Eastside’s Council is co-chaired by JoAnn Herrigel, Deputy Director of Elders in Action and Mary Bedard, Office Manager of Store to Door.  The Council meets monthly to attend to Village governance and an annual meeting of the entire membership is held annually.

 

How can I learn more about Villages in Portland area?
For general information about Villages in the Portland area and to identify the Village forming near you – visit Villages NW at www.villagesnw.org.
Eastside Village PDX, the only village open at this time, offers monthly information sessions on the third Saturday of the month from 10am to 12pm.  Locations for these sessions vary, so check their website at www.eastsidevillage.org or call their office at 503-866-0571 for details.

 

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Welcome to Livable Oregon.

What makes a community livable? What do neighborhoods need to help people of all ages live active, engaged lives?  Livable Oregon explores the features of age-friendly communities, the people who help create them, and what we can do to make our neighborhoods in Oregon a great place for everyone.

This blog takes its lead from the  AARP Livable Communities Initiative which seeks to improve the quality of life for older adults by promoting the development of safe, accessible, and vibrant environments. AARP Livable Communities  policies address issues such as land use, housing, and transportation which are vital to developing communities that facilitate aging in place.

About our lead blogger:

My name is Elaine Friesen-Strang.  I understand the need for lifelong, livable communities as a mother who raised two children, a daughter who helped care for her father, a professional guardian who served adults with developmental disabilities, and a woman who is experiencing the mixed blessings of aging.  Volunteering for AARP empowers me to help make my neighborhood and city a more livable, sustainable place for people of all ages.