Archstone Continuation Grant awarded to Ashby Village 

In September, the Archstone Foundation awarded a $50,000 continuation grant to Ashby Village to be used to increase membership benefits and services, recruit low income and ethnically diverse members, and continue our sustainable business operations.

Ashby Village Featured in Liberty Mutual Online Magazine

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"I was the one who called and was told that a macular degeneration group had just formed. I can report that the group "saved my life." I was in the middle of trying to pass the California board exam for MFTs. I got word yesterday that I passed! Now I really have the time to volunteer."

- Submitted by Volunteer Eleanor

"My connection with volunteers keeps becoming more and more gratifying and wonderful. They are such fine people - so generous and interesting that I can't wait for their visits. And I almost forget what I needed from them, because what I get is so much more than practical help; it is warmth and companionship and caring - it is the luxury of getting to know them as new friends."

- Submitted by Member Betsy

"This newsletter keeps getting better and better, kind of like Ashby Village itself. Thank you!" 

- Submitted by Volunteer Natalie

"I had knee surgery recently for a torn meniscus and am not confident yet in either walking or driving any great distance. I wasn't sure how I'd get to a doctor's appointment until a friend, an Ashby Village member and volunteer, suggested I try Ashby Village. A volunteer stepped up and offered. Likewise I used an Ashby Village volunteer to drive me to my surgery a few weeks ago. I feel as though I should be a poster child for people who realize how important Ashby Village membership is even though family may be around to help. 

- Submitted by Member Elaine

"I've just been a member of Ashby Village for a week or so and have had a quality of services that amazed me. I knew Berkeley was special but this topped my expectations. Mark, the computer whizz set up a very useful calendar on my MAC and cleaned my files all with cheerful good humor. Lisa who answered my first request for a driver was a biologist who was still working and active in several other organizations. My second, Angus, was not only particularly helpful, but a thoroughly delightful English professor at Sac State. My husband who asked half joking if he could get someone to hem his PJ's got a woman, Beth, who directed research at U.C. Berkeley! All I can say is thank you Ashby Village." 

- Submitted by Member Brenda

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Recognizing the signs of Dementia and Alzheimer's for members and volunteers

An increasing number of members are dealing with, afraid of and concerned about dementia issues, both for themselves and their spouses.  Many of our volunteers would benefit from 

knowing the signs and symptoms of cognitive decline in order to provide the best possible services to our members. 

A valuable presentation was given recently to Ashby Village members and volunteers by Senior Helpers of Berkeley to address these health concerns. Those who attended this training have a deeper understanding as to how to provide support. Our community is recognizing these changes, embracing them as reality, and inviting exploration and discussion. 

A copy of the video, and a list of the best testing facilities in our area, are available by contacting the Ashby Village office.  Information about Senior Helpers can be found at http://www.seniorhelpers.com/seniorgems.

Feedback from attendees included the following comments:

"From the perspective of a volunteer, I first want to say that one of the reasons that Ashby Village succeeds at being a real community is by including people who are not "official members" to attend their events. I found the Alzheimer's/Dementia workshop to be excellent. It was extremely informative and very well presented. I attended the event because I have a friend who was diagnosed pre-Alzheimer. This presentation helped me understand what is happening to her, both mentally and physically, and to be more aware of what I can do to assist her." 

-Valerie

"I found this training very helpful to me personally. I suspected that I was "losing it" little by little and knowing the warning signs is very helpful. Now that I have more information, I will definitely get checked out by a professional. Some of my symptoms can be considered "normal aging," but I do notice a big difference between ages 60 and 69. Thanks to this presentation and the follow-up discussion, I am motivated to take action."

-Audre

Information gathering for Under 70s Member Study Nears Completion

In line with its vision statement, Ashby Village is committed to serving a multigenerational community. To discover how the Village can best attract and engage members who are 50-70 years of age, a study was initiated to discuss transitions, resources and opportunities. At this life stage, members and volunteers are personally involved in transitions such as a recent and/or impending retirement, building a new career, adjusting to an empty nest, caring for an older relative, or trying to define their highest and best purpose during the next stage of life. 

Preliminary results reveal that many members and volunteers are enthusiastic about their lives at this stage, however, most were concerned about being or becoming less physically active. There were many ideas and suggestions about additions to current programs and services, as well as much heart-felt appreciation for the help and support which the Village has provided in the past. The study's findings are part of a two village study being conducted with Lincoln Park Village (Chicago, IL), the findings of which will be presented at the national Village to Village Conference in November.

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Ashby Village Seeks Leaders

VtV Network Announces Launch of National Village Exchange

Ashby Village recently participated in a pilot program of the Village Exchange. The national launch of this program has now been announced, with 32 Villages click here participating from a number of different states. The National Village Exchange Program enables Village members to experience the benefits of Village communities when they visit areas in which Villages operate and participate in the program (short-term visits up to four weeks only). When members are traveling, they can participate in Village programs, get information on restaurants and hotels, and call on the local Village for limited assistance. There is no additional cost to members, unless the local Village is charging its members for a program or trip, in which case the visiting member will pay the same. It's a "World of Villages at Your Fingertips."

Beacon Hill and the Village Movement Featured on PBS News Hour

As part of a Health series on aging, Ray Suarez of the PBS News Hour interviewed Beacon Hill Village members and Founder Susan McWhinney-Morse and filmed various village activities over a two-day period in July. The report, entitled There's No Place Like Home: Seniors Hold on to Urban Independence Into Old, aired August 8, 2013.

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Sam Foushee - Member and Volunteer

Sam Foushee retired in 2000 after 25 years of teaching elementary school, and he says, "I haven't looked back."  Sam has lived for 22 years in the Watergate complex, a low-rise "village" of condominiums in Emeryville.  A few years ago, Sam and his wife, La Rae Schneider, began exploring options for aging in place.  Sam attended the Village-to- Village Network Conference in Oakland in 2011, where he met Andy Gaines, Executive Director of Ashby Village. 

 

Sam and Andy began to discuss how to launch a village start-up at Watergate.  Andy introduced Sam to Tobey Klein, another Watergate resident and an Ashby Village volunteer, who had the same idea.  Sam, Tobey, and Andy worked together to envision and launch the Watergate Neighborhood as a part of Ashby Village, marketing to the more than 1,700 Watergate residents.  Watergate@AshbyVillage was officially launched in September 2012.  Looking back one year later, Sam is pleased with what's been accomplished. 

 

Ashby Village coordinates all the volunteer calls for Watergate, and the requests are usually filled by a core of 14 Watergate resident volunteers, some Village members and some not.  According to Sam, the volunteer corps is a vital part of the Neighborhood, helping to build community.  "Everybody knows everybody," he says.  His wife La Rae is a volunteer and Sam serves on the five-member Watergate Neighborhood Steering Committee that arranges events, heads up recruitment, and sets policy.  Watergate @ Ashby Village has a monthly gathering at Watergate's Clipper Club, where well-attended "Coffee and Conversation" talks are given by members or occasional guests.  Recent topics included robotics and container gardening. 

 

When asked how many hours he volunteers each week, Sam replied, "Wow.  Good question."

In addition to his work with the Village, Sam is an Alameda County Master Gardener, the Co-Director of the Emeryville Community Organic Garden, and he chairs the Watergate Landscape Committee.  Whether it's a garden or a village, Sam is a knowledgeable and dedicated volunteer and leader.  At the one-year anniversary of the Watergate Neighborhood start-up Sam says, "We've got a good core group, and we're happy with where we are headed."

- Written by Mary Graham

Committee Chairs

MEMBERSHIP:  Betty Webster,  [email protected] 

COMMUNITY-BUILDING AND EVENTS:  Laura Peck,  l[email protected] 

SOCIAL SERVICES:  Roberta Pressman,  [email protected] 

NOMINATING: Patricia Sussman,  [email protected]

MARKETING AND OUTREACH: Marcia Freedman,  [email protected]

MEMBER SUPPORT: [email protected]

GENERAL INQUIRIES:  [email protected] 

MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONS:  [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER/DIGEST SUBMISSIONS: Sandy Simon - [email protected] 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Andy Gaines -  [email protected]  

PROGRAM MANAGER -  Andrea Mok - [email protected] 

OPERATIONS & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR: Pat Carvalho - [email protected]

Board   

CHAIR:  Patricia Sussman

SECRETARY/TREASURER:  Andra Lichtenstein

Bob Davis

Marcia Freedman

Laura Peck

Roberta Pressman  

Betty Webster