PRESS RELEASE
05/29/09
Contact: Charity Sack, (703) 647-2337
Village to Village Network Launches Innovative Community Approach for Aging Boomers
Milbank Foundation Grants $50,000 to Replicate Villages
WASHINGTON (May 29, 2009) — NCB Capital Impact and Beacon Hill Village today announced a $50,000 grant from the Milbank Foundation for Rehabilitation in support of efforts to expand the Village model nationwide. Villages are community based organizations that have sprouted up in at least 40 communities nationwide to address the rapidly growing demand among elderly to remain socially connected and fulfill their needs related to aging in a setting of their choice.
The projected growth of the elderly population, which currently includes more than 37 million people age 65 and older in the U.S., highlights the need for more community based alternatives to long-term care. Villages are consumer-driven self-governing non-profits that provide members 50 and over with an affordable option to remain active, independent and civically connected to their communities.
“Baby boomers, the elderly and their families are facing a myriad of economic hurdles as they consider their long-term health care options,” said Terry Simonette, president and CEO of NCB Capital Impact. “Financial support to expand the Village to Village Network, like the investment made by the Milbank Foundation, provides the critical support to create innovative options for individuals to address their needs related to aging in a setting of their choice.”
"Beacon Hill Village, opened in 2002, was the first to create a grassroots support organization enabling seniors to stay in their homes as long as they wished to," said Steve Roop, President of Beacon Hill Village. "Today, over 3000 community groups around the country dream of creating their own Villages. The Milbank Foundation's timely and generous grant will help speed the launch of a national network dedicated to helping these groups realize those dreams. Beacon Hill Vilage is proud to partner with NCB Capital Impact in creating this network," added Roop.
NCB Capital Impact and Beacon Hill Village will use the funds to officially launch the Village to Village Network preliminary website, www.vtvnetwork.org, and assist communities with formation of these grassroots organizations and on going support as they become sustainable community institutions. The network will create an online peer to peer learning community to connect Villages around the country. Those seeking assistance to develop the model will have access to a myriad of tools and resources.
About Villages and the Village to Village Network
The Village to Village Network (VtV) is being created 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.
Villages are membership-driven, grass-roots organizations that, through both volunteers and paid staff, coordinate access to affordable services including transportation, health and wellness programs, home repairs, social and educational activities, and other day-to-day needs enabling individuals to remain connected to their community throughout the aging process.
For more information, visit: www.vtvnetwork.org
About NCB Capital Impact
NCB Capital Impact, the non-profit affiliate of NCB, provides financial services and technical assistance to create more affordable homeownership, long-term supports innovations, and facilities for health care centers and charter schools. 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.
About Beacon Hill Village
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 homes 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
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