Blog archive
April 2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Joining the Village..
By Richard MyersPosted: 09/15/2020
Contributed by Leni Fleming
I came into the Village as a volunteer about 5 years ago, with no intention of becoming a member. I was a Home Health RN/Case Manager, and Mike Babcock told me they could really use a volunteer with that particular background “at the Village.”
“What’s the Village?” I said, picturing some quaint, old-English mini-town.
“Have you heard of the Village Movement?” was Mike’s reply. I had not, but the word “Movement” caused the old hippie in me to prick up her ears.
Mike proceeded to explain the Village concept (older adults continue to live in their own homes, forming a community together with the sole purpose of mutual support and friendship). I don’t think I actually levitated, but close to it: I was instantly enthralled, imagining what something like this could do for the seniors I visited in their homes for my job — many of whom were on their own. “I’m at that age when a lot of your friends are gone,” was a common statement. Or “I lost my only sibling last year.” Or “My kids want me to move to be near them, so I’ll have somebody.”
“We have a book club,” Mike told me. “There’s a women’s support group, and one for men. We have art exhibits, walking groups, pot luck dinners at people’s houses. A birdwatching group. Political discussions.”
“Stop, you’re killing me!” I yelled. Ok I didn’t, we were in a nice restaurant, but I was sold.
When I arrived soon thereafter to volunteer, I was added to a committee that gives special attention to Village Members’ well-being: if someone is going through a hard time, we try to find ways to support them. In pre-Covid days we made lots of visits to Villagers’ homes; now we make even more phone calls, we e-mail, we write letters. And this Committee is just one of many at the Village, keeping folks engaged with each other.
Did I say I had “no intention of becoming a member” when I began volunteering? That was true: I volunteered for 3 years before joining. What finally decided me were two things: first, I realized that every time I stopped by the Village I ended up in the most wonderful conversations with whatever random people happened to be there, which invariably improved my day. Second: my mother died, and the outpouring of kindness and affection I received made it clear that these were not just nice, interesting people I volunteered with…but true friends.
And that’s why I joined the Pasadena Village.