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Blog archive

November 2024

Event of Remembrance
11/22/2024

Phishing Scams: What You Need to Know
11/22/2024

Pupusas Family Style: Another Adventurous Dining Winner
11/22/2024

Celebrating the Holidays
11/21/2024

Genealogy Group: Discovering Our Pasts
11/21/2024

Nathan Wolford – From Tragedy to Ministry
11/21/2024

Pasadena Village Board of Directors: A Brief Overview
11/21/2024

President's Message
11/21/2024

The Day of the Dead (Dia de muertos)/ Mexican Culture/Community
11/21/2024

Vintage Celebration: Aging Like a Fine Wine
11/21/2024

Review of Racism in Our Local Past
11/20/2024

Creative Juices Flow in The Village
11/19/2024

Checking In by Ed Rinderle
11/15/2024

Eagle Poem by Joy Harjo
11/15/2024

I Shall Forget You Presently, My Dear (Sonnet IV) by Edna St. Vincent Millay
11/15/2024

Pictures From Brueghel by William Carlos Williams
11/15/2024

October 2024

ARBORIST WALK: NOT FOR TREE HUGGERS ONLY!
10/29/2024

Bill Wishner: Visual Hunter
10/29/2024

Can a Village Group Fix Our Healthcare System?
10/29/2024

Community Board Directors Strengthen Village Board
10/29/2024

Connecting with Village Connections: The A, B, C, & D’s of Medicare @ 65+
10/29/2024

Grief is a Journey: Two Paths Taken
10/29/2024

Message from the President
10/29/2024

Promoting Informed & Involved Voters
10/29/2024

What Will Be Your Legacy?
10/29/2024

1619, Approaching the Election...
10/27/2024

Beyond and Within the Village - A Star is Born
10/17/2024

Happiness by Priscilla Leonard
10/11/2024

Those Winter Sundays by Robert Hayden
10/11/2024

Unpainted Door by Louise Gluck
10/11/2024

In the Evening by Billy Collins
10/10/2024

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
10/10/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

Betty Kilby, A Family History
10/01/2024

September 2024

August 2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

1619 Wide Ranging Interests
08/19/2024

First Anniversary
08/19/2024

Alexandra Leaving by Leonard Cohen
08/16/2024

Muse des Beaux Arts by W. H. Auden
08/16/2024

The God Abandons Antony by Constantinos P. Cavafy
08/16/2024

Ch – Ch – Ch –Changes
08/15/2024

Cultural Activities Team offers an ‘embarrassment of riches’
08/15/2024

Engaging in Pasadena Village
08/15/2024

Future Housing Options
08/15/2024

Message from the President
08/15/2024

There Are Authors Among Us
08/15/2024

Villagers Welcome New Members at the Tournament Park Picnic
08/15/2024

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas
08/14/2024

A narrow Fellow in the Grass by Emily Dickinson
08/13/2024

Haikus
08/13/2024

One Art by Elizabeth Bishop
08/13/2024

Poem 20 by Pablo Neruda
08/13/2024

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
08/13/2024

Trees by Joyce Kilmer
08/13/2024

July 2024

June 2024

May 2024

Emergency Preparedness: Are You Ready?
05/28/2024

Farewell from the 2023/24 Social Work Interns
05/28/2024

Gina on the Horizon
05/28/2024

Mark Your Calendars for the Healthy Aging Research California Virtual Summit
05/28/2024

Meet Our New Development Associate
05/28/2024

Putting the Strategic Plan into Practice
05/28/2024

Washington Park: Pasadena’s Rediscovered Gem
05/28/2024

Introducing Civil Rights Discussions
05/22/2024

Rumor of Humor #2416
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2417
05/14/2024

Rumor of Humor #2418
05/14/2024

Springtime Visitors
05/07/2024

Freezing for a Good Cause – Credit, That Is
05/02/2024

No Discussion Meeting on May 3rd
05/02/2024

An Apparently Normal Person Author Presentation and Book-signing
05/01/2024

Flintridge Center: Pasadena Village’s Neighbor That Changes Lives
05/01/2024

Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month 2024
05/01/2024

The 2024 Pasadena Village Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
05/01/2024

Woman of the Year: Katy Townsend
05/01/2024

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – Pasadena Village's Journey

By Bridget Brewster
Posted: 10/24/2023
Tags: dei, bridget brewster

Pasadena Village was invited to offer a presentation focused on DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging)* for more than 400 attendees (12 Pasadena Villagers attended) at the recent 2023 National Virtual Village Gathering. The theme this year was Vibrant Villages Empowering Communities. The conference offered more than 20 presentations with lively discussions that reflected how our Villages can have a positive influence in our communities.

The presentation, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – The Business Case and Journey was given by Katie Brandon, Bruce Christensen and Sandra Moffett. Katie offered a framework for the presentation by referencing one of the Governor’s Master Plan for Aging’s objectives: Promote and adapt the village model of volunteerism and services, building on the strengths of California’s diverse communities.

Bruce Christensen shared his perspective as a leader in our LGBTQ+ group, The Village People. Growing up as a gay man has taught him the need for family, he said, emphasizing that finding or creating a “logical family” or “family of choice” became crucial for him. “I found the Village very welcoming and the LGBT community can also offer many resources, leadership and enthusiasm for the Village,” Bruce said. He also believes finding community through the Village is one way we can address the epidemic of loneliness. 

Sandra Moffett has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of Pasadena Village. She credits Katie Brandon for her determined outreach into diverse communities and welcoming “seniors from all walks of life.” “When Katie asked me to attend the California Village Movement DEIB training on behalf of the Pasadena Village … it was informative and reinforced what was already apparent in our Village,” Sandra said. “Family is not always close by, and you need the camaraderie of other people” to give the support we need as we age, so the Village community becomes critical, she said.

Katie pointed to the various policies, programs and presentations that actively address the Pasadena Village commitment to ensuring a welcoming environment for all. Katie stated, “Since we were founded over a dozen years ago, Pasadena Village has been committed to being welcoming. Our spirit of inclusivity is a critical part of our values statements and our 2022–25 Strategic Plan.” 

As we face the demographics of the California aging population, it is critical for our Village to reach out, to listen and to remove barriers whenever possible. Pasadena Village is in the forefront of addressing the needs of all who are part of the aging community.

Check out the recording Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging – The Business Case and Journey here.

*Diversity refers to all aspects of human difference, social identities, and social group differences; Equity refers to fair and just practices and policies that ensure all community members can thrive; Inclusion refers to a community where all members are and feel respected;

Belonging refers to a feeling of identifying with the group through common practices and beliefs.

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