Villages

What is a village?

Villages help elders stay at home in their neighborhoods. A Village is neighborhood- based nonprofit membership organization supported by volunteers. A Village makes it easier for older neighbors to continue living safely, comfortably and actively in their own homes and connected with their neighbors.

How does a village work?

Members continue to live in their homes. They can get together for parties, picnics, happy hours, and visits to local theaters, music and art venues. Volunteers offer free services that can range from rides to and from medical appointments, prescription pickups, yard clean-ups, and simple handyman repairs, assistance with grocery shopping, changing light bulbs in ceiling fixtures, and reading to the visually impaired. Villages also help their members find useful community resources and reliable professionals and licensed vendors. Villages do not provide medical services, but can connect seniors with these services. They typically offer some services not traditionally offered by the DC Lead Agencies.

Why join?

Avoid or delay a move to a retirement community or institutional care. Lower stress levels for yourself and those who worry about you. As a dues-paying member, it is you, not a handbook or a corporation, deciding which services and activities are offered by your neighborhood’s village.