http://www.vtvnetwork.org/
PRESS RELEASE
05/07/09
CONTACT: Charity Sack, (703) 647-2337
'Village' Movement Offers Aging Baby Boomers
Opportunity to Remain in Their Homes
BOSTON, MA (May 6, 2009) Millions of Americans wrestling with the challenge of aging with independence and remaining in their homes can now create their own “Villages” that will allow them to do just that. The Village to Village Network will be hosting the next Regional Workshop June 15th, 2009 in Denver, CO to provide critical information about this proven model and community-based approach.
The projected growth of the elderly population, which currently includes more than 37 million people age 65 or older in the U.S., highlights the need for more community-based alternatives. The recent economic downturn has impacted older Americans’ income and assets. Retirement savings losses are staggering – currently estimated at roughly $2 trillion. Many older Americans are considering more affordable alternatives to access long term services and supports with a preference to remain within their communities.
‘Villages’ are consumer-driven, non-profits that help people 50 and over stay in their own homes throughout their lives. There are currently 40 open villages and hundreds starting around the country. The Village-to-Village approach establishes membership-driven organizations run by small staffs and volunteers who coordinate affordable services including transportation, in-home medical care, home repairs and other day-to-day needs enabling individuals to receive care at home.
The workshop is designed for community leaders and professionals interested in creating and funding ‘Villages’ in their own communities. Topics to be covered are: How to start a ‘Village’, board development, marketing, strategic partners, providers, fundraising, budgets. Leaders from unique open ‘Villages’ around the country will discuss how they created their own ‘Villages’. Panelist will be leaders from: Capitol Hill Village (Washington DC), Washington Park Cares (Denver, Colorado), Front Desk Florence (Florence Oregon), and Beacon Hill Village (Boston, Massachusetts).
The Village to Village Network Regional Workshop will be June 15th, 2009 in Denver, Colorado from 9:00AM-4:00PM at the Hyatt Denver Convention Center. Registration is available at www.vtvnetwork.org.
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About Village to Village Network
The Village to Village Network (VtV) is by Villages for Villages. The VtV Network helps communities establish and manage their own “Villages.” The Network is sponsored through a joint partnership between Beacon Hill Village and NCB Capital Impact and was developed in response to requests from Villages nationwide.
About Beacon Hill
Beacon Hill Village is a membership organization in the heart of Boston. Created by a group of long-time Beacon Hill residents as an alternative to moving from their houses to retirement or assisted living communities, it was founded in 2001.
Beacon Hill Village enables a growing and diverse group of Boston residents to stay in their neighborhoods as they age, by organizing and delivering programs and services that allow them to lead safe, healthy productive lives in their own homes. For more information, visit: www.beaconhillvillage.org
About NCB Capital Impact
NCB Capital Impact, the non-profit affiliate of NCB, provides financial services and technical assistance to create more affordable cooperative homeownership, long-term supports innovations, and facilities for health care centers and charter schools. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., NCB Capital Impact has offices in California and New York. To learn more about NCB Capital Impact, and its programs and initiatives in advancing education, affordable housing, health care and long-term care for low- to moderate-income individuals, visit www.ncbcapitalimpact.org or contact Charity Sack at (703) 647-2337.
