village movement

how The Village Movement started with Beacon Hill Village in
Boston over 15 years ago and today there are over 200
open Villages and more than 150 in development in 45
states and the District of Columbia. In 2010, the Village
to Village Network – a national organization that
collaborates to maximize the growth, impact and
sustainability of individual Villages and the Village
Movement – was formed. The Network provides expert
guidance, resources and support to help communities
establish and maintain their Villages. Village to Village
Network and the Village Movement will not only impact
Villages and their members, but the lives of countless
families, caregivers and members of the broader
community they serve.MISSION: The Village to  Network is
the essential tool that enables community members to
build and sustain thriving Villages. The Network creates
interactions that connect Villages with resources,
education and expertise.VISION: Through innovation, collaboration, advocacy
and inclusion, the Village to Village Network expands
opportunity, choice, support and care for all older
people.
VILLAGE TO VILLAGE NETWORK CORE PRINCIPLES: Practice consensus and transparency at all levels of the
community Support the practice and principle of reciprocity and the
intentional exchange of ideas, approaches, learnings and
shared wisdom Create innovative programs that help develop Village
leadership Provide a forum for member Villages to share knowledge
about their issues and successesINDIVIDUAL VILLAGES WILL: Commit to helping their members age in a place of their
choosing, closely connected to their communities and
with the supports and tools they need to create
successful aging of their own design Create opportunities for individuals to use their talents to
improve Village impact and benefit the overall
community Provide social activities that minimize isolation and
promote interaction and trust within the Village
community, between individuals who offer their help and
those who ask for help when neededVILLAGE CHARACTERISTICS:
 Reflect the needs of their members and communities and
share many common characteristics Provide a strong community that offers members new
opportunities to age successfully Nonprofit, grassroots initiatives Membership-based, member-driven and self-governing Designed to be inclusive and to reflect their communities Community partners helping to address the challenges
of agingWHY ARE
NEEDED: Villages are well positioned to improve
the population health of the communities they serve.
Until the year 2029, 10,000 people will turn 65 on a daily
basis. In Britain and the United States, roughly one in
three people older than 65 live alone, and in the United
States, half of those older than 85 live alone. Studies in
both countries show the prevalence of loneliness among
people older than 60 ranging from 10% to 46%.
“The profound effects of loneliness on health and
independence are a critical public health problem,” said
Dr. Carla M. Perissinotto, a geriatrician at the University
of California, San Francisco. “It is no longer medically or
ethically acceptable to ignore older adults who feel
lonely and marginalized.” Research shows that 60% of
health outcomes are based on behavioral, socioeconomic and environmental factors.
Village members experience reduced isolation,
increased independence, and enhanced purpose of
life. “Villages are instrumental in helping people remain
in their homes and independent in their communities.” -
Ilene Henshaw, AARP, Department of Government
Affairs.