PASADENA VILLAGE CELEBRATES NATIONAL VILLAGES DAY

On February 15 more than 150 people gathered in the parking lot of the Flintridge Center to celebrate the first annual National Villages Day. Attendees, which included Pasadena Village members, volunteers, and guests, picked up information from community resource tables and chatted with various dignitaries, including the 2022 Rose Parade Queen and her Court.

Community resources and vendors representing services ranging from in-home care to Medicare insurance information to dog walking services attracted members of the community to their tables. There was also a free raffle prize giveaway compliments of Pasadena Village which also provided free coffee and bagels to enjoy as part of the Pasadena Police Department’s “Coffee with a Cop” program.

A few brief talks highlighted the program. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said “Many of us think of Pasadena as a Center of the Universe, with all of its institutions such as Caltech and the Art Center. But it is the people who work so hard to contribute to our city that make Pasadena such a great place.” He then presented a certificate of gratitude to the Village.

The 20022 Rose Parade Queen and members of her Court spent the morning getting to know many of the Pasadena Village members. Rose Queen Nadia Chung remarked “We’ve spent a wonderful morning talking to so many people. The conversations we’ve had are a testament to their sense of community. Their resilience, hope, optimism, and sense of community are an inspiration.”

Congresswoman Judy Chu presented a certificate to Village Executive Director Katie Brandon and Board President Pat Dawe. She spoke of how impressed she is by the network of people who are working to make it possible for seniors to live in their homes. She described Pasadena Village as an incredible resource that went above and beyond expectations to adapt its programs during the pandemic.

A ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the admission of Pasadena Village as a new member of the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce. Chamber President Alexis Salamanca said “The San Gabriel Chamber embraces people all over LA County and is proud that Pasadena Village is now a member.”

At the national level, a resolution was read into the record at the US House of Representatives declaring February 15 National Villages Day, honoring 20 years since the first Village, in Beacon Hill, Massachusetts was founded.

A portion of the resolution captures the essence of the Village movement as one that is “simple, forceful, and optimistic: aging should be individual, and person-centered. Villages can help their members take responsibility for their own aging and make choices resulting in vibrant, purposeful lives lived on their own terms, in their own homes and communities. With this message the Villages are changing how elders experience aging and how our society perceives aging. Every American benefits from these changes. This community-based movement offers an economically efficient model for aging.”

Pasadena Village is proud to be a part of this National Villages movement. To learn more about the national Village movement go to Village to Village Network.

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