Blog archive
March 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
A LOOK AT 2022 FROM THE BOARD CHAIR
By Susan KujawaPosted: 11/30/2022
2022 in Review
Here we are at the end of another year, a year filled with gains and losses. At Pasadena Village, 2022 saw the rebirth of in-person gatherings as Covid protocols lessened and fears of contagion receded (somewhat). Zoom was a gain, but also a loss. It did allow members with limited mobility to participate in engaging presentations and supportive discussions. And yet, many of us admit that we are “sick of Zoom.”
A major gain this past year was the influx of new members. Our membership has grown from a low point of 135 during the pandemic to today's total of 146. Several factors contributed to this growth. Our Outreach Team set up information tables at health fairs and other community events. Katie Brandon, our Executive Director, made it a priority to visit local Chambers of Commerce, health care coalitions, and other community organizations. At these gatherings, Katie, accompanied by a Village member, extolled the benefits of aging in a supportive community.
A familiar story I heard from a new member exemplifies another element behind our growth. This newcomer recently moved to Pasadena from Brooklyn to live closer to her children and grandchildren. She loved being with her son and his wife and becoming a part of her grandchildren’s lives. But after a few months she began to wonder what to do with her spare time.
One day she attended a South Pasadena health fair where she met and talked to a member of Pasadena Village. As a result she attended a “Meet Me at the Village” event, where she heard several Villagers share their experiences as part of the Village. She recalls, “As members took turns around the table, it hit me - These are my people!”
But with the gains come the losses. When you are part of a community of older adults, it doesn’t take much to remind you of the passage of time. I especially carry in my heart the memory of our Pasadena Village co-founder Mike Babcock. I believe that without Mike, there would be no Pasadena Village. His enthusiasm, optimism, and persuasiveness created the momentum we needed to launch this great experiment. He valued authentic relationships. He had friends from years ago, and friends he met at the Village more recently. Mike would be thrilled to hear of our growth, and he would completely understand what our new member meant when she said, “These are my people.” That’s what he wanted to build: an inclusive, inquisitive, inquiring, inspiring, and enduring community.
As this year comes to a close and makes way for the New Year, I hope that you, too, can be with your people. And if not, you are always welcome at Pasadena Village.
Warmest regards,
Sue Kujawa