Know” event in Morro Bay and was asked to explain the
offerings of this organization.
SLO Village is a community-based membership organization
focused on empowering older adults to live happily,
healthfully, and successfully in their own homes as they
age. SLO Village provides easy access to a screened
network of volunteers and local businesses, as well as
organizing social events for the members.
“We are a local non-profit 501(c)(3) organization”
explained Dave Kuykendall, President of the Board of
Directors, “and a member of the Village to Village Network,
representing 350 Villages nationwide.” The Village
Movement is a grassroots concept that is a new retirement
model designed to encourage, protect, and enable at-home
independence for seniors.
A “village” is a group of people in a geographic area who
come together to figure out and develop the resources
they will need to age comfortably in their own homes. Like
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs),
villages embrace the strategy of bringing services to people
rather than moving people to services.
The first village, Beacon Hill Village in Boston began a
decade ago when 12 older adults joined forces to create a
way for them to “age at home” and remain independent as
long as possible. There are now over 190 villages
nationwide with over 185 more in development. There are over
55 villages in California.
Utilizing volunteers, transportation, home repairs, technology
help, in-home services and courtesy calls are offered. Through
vetted businesses, the organization provides access to plumbers,
painters, handymen, home health care, housekeeping and more.
Other services may be offered, depending upon both partnerships
and the skill set of the volunteers.
SLO Village Volunteers choose their assignments from an active
list of service requests from members. They select the request
that matches their interest and their schedule. They can
volunteer as much or as little as they would like. SLO Village
volunteers are fully vetted with a complete background check,
driving record check and are covered by insurance.
Currently, SLO Village serves members in Arroyo Grande, Avila
Beach, Grover Beach, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Oceano,
Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo and Shell Beach. Expansion to other
areas is dependent upon access to a suitable base of volunteers.
The membership fees for SLO Village are $500 a year for a single
person, $750 for a household (two people at the same location).
There is no additional cost for volunteer services. Vetted business
services are generally provided at a discounted rate.
Associate Members are social and financial supporters of SLO
Village. They can participate in all the SLO Village events and have
access to vetted businesses, but do not receive Village services.
MORRO BAY
—
Perhaps you
’
ve heard the term it takes a
village, well, taking that to heart, the organization SLO
for seniors.
“
This is not The Villages retirement community,
”
explained
Sally Kruger, board member,
“
and it isn
’
t just for San Luis
Obispo.
”
Kruger was attending Homeshare SLO
’
s recent
“
Get to
It Takes A Village
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2019
Associate members pay a reduced annual fee that may be
tax deductible.
SLO Village was honored as the “Senior Citizen Program of
the Year” by Area Agency on Aging on May 21, 2018.
“Our members are people who want to stay in their homes
but need some level of support,” said Kuykendall, “We help
them become connected to the community and less
isolated.”
To contact SLO Village call 805-242-6440 or
email office@slovillage.org. Alsocheck their
website at www.slovillage.org.