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Twentieth Anniversary of Beacon Hill Village and The Village Movement

Kenneth Dym | Published on 1/4/2022
 
James McGovern
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
 
Dear Representative James McGovern:
 
On behalf of Northampton Neighbors, a 1000+ member-driven, all-volunteer nonprofit organization enabling older adults (55+) to live independent, engaged lives in their homes and communities, I am asking you to support a declaration to establish February 15th as National Village Day in commemoration of the start of the National Village Movement and specifically the 20th anniversary of the nation’s first Village: Beacon Hill Village. Congressman Stephen Lynch will be presenting this declaration for the Congressional Record.
 
One of the great issues today is how to support and care for our aging population. One-third of Northampton’s population is 55 years of age and older; 18% are 65 and older. The Village Model, recognizes the importance of community and choice for older adults and offers valuable insights and solutions for this challenging period in people’s lives. 
 
Nationally, 300 Villages serve older adults in their communities. Villages, like Northampton Neighbors, offer supportive services and social engagement to older constituents who wish to remain in their homes and communities with an enhanced quality of life for as long as it is safe for them to do so. These services include rides to a physician’s office or a grocery store, light household chores, and technical (i.e. computer support). In addition, Villages sponsor social and cultural events such as speaker series, hiking and book groups, and “mix n’ mingles.”
 
Beacon Hill Village started in 2002 and spurred the growth of the national Village movement. In 2009 Villages from around the country formed the national Village to Village Network to share experiences and best practices. Northampton Neighbors was formed in 2017 by a group of 10 to 15 residents. Less than five years later, we have over 1,000 members. Please visit www.northamptonneighbors.org for more information about us and www.vtvnetwork.org for the national organization.
 
Thank you for considering our request for a declaration of National Village Day on February15, 2022, commemorating the Twentieth Anniversary of Beacon Hill Village and The Village Movement. We look forward to hearing from you on this matter.
 
Respectfully, 
 
Kenneth Dym
President, Board of Directors
Northampton Neighbors