History of Village Movement

Beginning in 2001, older adults in communities around the United States began to join together in their own neighborhoods to develop innovative, grassroots peer support organizations designed to help members age in place. Commonly referred to as “Villages,” these organizations are generally consumer-driven, membership associations. Originally started in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, the Village concept arose out of older community members’ desire to reside in their own homes while being able to access services that address their needs related to aging. The Village model is rapidly expanding across California and the nation. Currently, there are 29 Villages in California (8 open and 21 in development) and a total of 55 Villages operating across the United States.

The Archstone Village Initiative

In 2011, the Archstone Foundation put out a Request for Proposals for the development or expansion of Older Adult Villages in California. As part of its effort to expand the implementation of this highly promising model, the Archstone Foundation is documenting the varying Village models being developed, community partners that enhance their quality and sustainability, and innovations in serving low to middle income and ethnically diverse populations. The Archstone Foundation selected 11 projects across California for funding, one of them submitted by Community Senior Serv for the formation of several villages in Orange County. Jewish Federation and Family Services and the City of Irvine are the primary partners with Community Senior Serv for the establishment of a village in Irvine.

What is a Village?

Villages are membership organizations, developed by and for older adults who live in a defined geographic area, that provide a range of services with the goal of enabling people to remain in their own homes and communities as they age. Village members receive a variety of services and support designed to help them age in place and avoid institutionalization. The kinds of services offered in each village are determined by the members themselves during an initial planning process and an ongoing participatory process. Services are paid for through dues payment, grants, supplements from homeowner’s associations and other means. Costs are kept low because of the tremendous amount of work provided by volunteers who bank their time in exchange for services and the participation and in-kind donations of merchants, health providers and community organizations.