What is a Village

A “Village” is a community-based and operated organization dedicated to helping residents remain in their homes as they age (“aging in place”).  Villages accomplish this by organizing and delivering programs and services that allow residents to lead safe, healthy productive lives in their own homes.  Villages provide services through a range of models including fee-based, membership, and volunteer.

The Burning Tree Village in Bethesda is the only known Village in operation in Montgomery County.  At least a dozen other communities throughout the County are in some stage of exploring or implementing a village model.  The Burning Tree Village provides services through volunteer activities and through partnerships with other organizations that complement volunteer activities.

We have witnessed accelerating interest in this subject both in Montgomery County and nationwide since late 2007.  Beginning in the fall of 2007, the Office of Community Partnership (OCP) initiated discussions on aging in place with the Burning Tree community leaders.  During the course of 2008, OCP hosted several additional sessions involving other communities primarily in the Bethesda area to facilitate the sharing of information.  These sessions included a number of providers of services to seniors, as well as representation from Rockville and Gaithersburg.  The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center (BCCRSC) also became involved in supporting these communities in late spring of 2008.

OCP and BCCRSC staff maintained regular contact with the leadership of the Burning Tree Village throughout 2008 and provided knowledge and referral support.  The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center provided a small grant and in-kind support to Burning Tree Village to assist in start-up needs including printing and 501(c)3 filing costs.  Similar support has since been provided to Bannockburn Neighbors Assisting Neighbors, a Village model that coordinates volunteer services for any resident in need. 

OCP, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and BCCRSC also supported the development of the Burning Tree Village model by assisting them with developing their survey and its printing.  

Facilitating the ability of older adults to age in place was identified as a top priority by participants in the County Executive’s November 20, 2008 Senior Summit.  Summit participants further identified the need for technical support to neighborhoods interested in the creating a Village model for facilitating neighbor-to-neighbor help as a short-term goal towards addressing this priority.

In response to this goal, BCCRSC and OCP hosted a “Villages” forum on January 21, 2009 to create an opportunity for residents to become familiar with County resources; learn about existing community efforts; and discuss opportunities for partnerships with the County, private service providers, and other communities.  The forum included a presentation by the Burning Tree Village on the strategic challenges facing Village initiatives.  Other communities spoke briefly on the status of their initiatives and challenges they faced.  See the attached notes for more information.

Based on feedback received, a follow up will be scheduled in late April.  In addition, BCCRSC has established a web resource for Villages.  Notes and presentations from the January 21 meeting can be found there.  The BCCRSC has also created a Villages newsletter and is compiling a “toolkit” that will provide tips, resources, and other information for communities considering establishing a Village. 

            The Regional Services Centers, OCP and DHHS will work in partnership with emerging Villages to connect these efforts with existing County and non-profit resources.  We will help facilitate the sharing of information between communities and the evaluation of Village models, so the knowledge gained in one neighborhood can be put to use by others.  Finally, we will look for opportunities to encourage and create Villages in all parts of the County.