VILLAGE DRIVE VILLAGE
Village Drive Village is a non-profit, resident-led neighborhood association that connects residents 55 and older to non-medical services to support them in their goal of living independently in their homes as they age. Neighborhood volunteers provide services which enhance social and cultural interaction to continue to connect the residents to their community.
Our neighborhood includes over 500 homes on the 26 streets which connect, directly or indirectly, to Village Drive south of Lee Highway in Fairfax, Virginia, 22030.
OUR STORY
Recently widowed, she is up on a ladder changing a light bulb and realizes that if she falls she has no one to help her, she doesn’t know her neighbors any more even though her husband was president of their now inactive neighborhood association. After joining, she writes a beautiful testimonial about the importance of the new “Village” established in her community.
A very independent couple suddenly find themselves both disabled. While he is having a knee replacement, she cracks her spine and is in horrible pain. Their hospital experiences are frustrating with delayed diagnosis and bad advice. Their daughter helps, but he still needs some transportation assistance. He is on the board of directors of the new “Village” in the neighborhood.
A retired couple have lived in the neighborhood for forty years and feel angry and isolated. Their neighbors seem unfriendly. They are getting older and don’t know what to do to make new friends. Regular contact with the new “Village” is changing their lives.
After raising their young children, who are now grown and living on their own, two widows who were once good friends have completely lost touch, even though they live within a block of each other. Suddenly, a new “Village” movement brings them together again, and they are grateful. Both now are on the board of directors of the new “Village” and doing everything they can to help others benefit from membership.
Three young couples with small children take time from their busy lives to help set up computer systems, serve on the board of directors and help in every way they can to develop the new “Village.” Why? Because it’s an opportunity to help others and to teach their young children the importance of helping others.
Membership is so important that one of our volunteers bought a Silver Membership for a friend and neighbor who was recently widowed. Such kindness and generosity is typical of our neighborhood volunteers.
About ten enthusiastic neighbors who “get it” make it possible to start a “Village,” a non-profit, non-political corporation dedicated to helping retirees stay in their homes as they age. Village Drive Village met with county government in January, 2018, got tips on how to begin, assessed their neighborhood in March, and opened for business in September, 2018. It took ten initial dedicated and enthusiastic people who were determined to make it work, and who were patient enough to hang together through many difficult decisions. Those initial ten people have been joined by others, and after a year of full operations we are thriving.
Some of our first Board of Directors
