The Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE) is a forum through which nonprofit villages in the Washington D.C metropolitan area share experience and ideas. It works with senior serving and inter-generational organizations and agencies, and encourages the growth and improvement of the village movement within the Washington area.

WAVE has multiple meetings each year hosted by member organizations on a rotating basis in the three jurisdictions of DC, Maryland, and Virginia. The meetings include speakers covering topics of interest to the member organizations with time for questions. After the main presentation, specific time is provided for a couple of concurrent discussion groups focusing on areas of interest to member villages.

Contact us at:

Washington Area Villages Exchange

P.O. Box 7464

Alexandria, VA  22307-0464

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Montgomery County Village Coordinator
Monthly Update for November 5, 2015

Hello everyone,

please find the following November updates:

Announcements:

1. Update on the meeting with HEALTH Partners:

We had a very productive meeting with HEALTH Partners, a consortium of health care providers, and villages on October on 15th at the Silver Spring library. There is tremendous interest on both sides in partnership but also some concerns. The group decided to continue this dialogue and perhaps have some pilot programs with interested villages. I will be sending out an announcement for the next meeting in the following few weeks.

2. Homes Renewed  - Seeking your insights:

Louis Tenenbaum has been working on issues relating to seniors in community, often called Aging in Place, for many years. He recently formed a new policy organization called Homes Renewed. Beginning in November 2015, Homes Renewed will conduct consumer interviews to discern what problems citizens identify concerning how our society will house and care for the increasing numbers of older citizens. Our goal with this research is to develop supportable policy initiatives for Aging in Place.  Folks who would like to participate please contact: Louis Tenenbaum 301-983-0131 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

3. National Village to Village looking for success stories:


The Village to Village Network is looking for success stories to share.  Shari Wenokur Smith has volunteered to take the lead in gathering these stories. Please consider sharing your positive stories (or negative stories with a positive outcome!) as a way of promoting the good work our Villages do. Send your stories to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please put "Village Story" in the Subject Line Thanks so much for all your good work! 

4. (VITA) partnership is seeking volunteers

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) partnership is seeking volunteers to assist eligible residents with free income tax preparation.  VITA is sponsored by the County Community Action Agency, part of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.  Volunteers work during the tax season, from late January to mid-April, as tax preparers, greeters, screeners, interpreters, and resource navigators, with flexible hours at convenient locations in East Silver Spring/Takoma Park, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Wheaton.  Free training is provided on-site and online.  

The VITA Program will host open houses for prospective volunteers on November 9, 13, and 18.  Please see the attached flier for more information.

Please contact VITA's Volunteer Maryland Coordinator, Nimat Traore, at 240-777-1123 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional information.

5. Little Falls Village featured in MD AARP:


Congratulations to Little Falls Village for the wonderful article in the  MD AARP October edition.

Funding Opportunities:

1. Montgomery County grants  - early reminder:

Each year Montgomery County offers community grants through a variety of programs: The deadline is in early January but application process begins on November 17th. If you are considering an application now is the time to obtain your board/leadership approval and plan your proposal. I will send out reminders in December and January as well. Follow this link for more information: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/government/grants.html

2. Villages in diverse communities:

I would also like to remind you that I have a small fund to support emerging villages in diverse and low income communities. Please let me know if you are interested in accessing this fund.

Village specific events:

1. Monday, November 9th 10-12pm: MD Communities of Practice semi-annual meeting:

Maryland villages meet twice a year in Annapolis to share experiences and hear a talk about a specific topic of interest.  Location and RSVP information:

Department of Aging in Anne Arundel County
2664 Riva Rd Annapolis, MD 21401
Independence Room

*Free Parking. Please RSVP by Email or Phone  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 240-418-5603

2. Tuesday, November 10th, 7-9pm: - Poolesville Aging in Place community pot luck:

Tim Shaw, Senior Connection ED and I are going to talk at a community event in Poolesville. The goal is to start a conversation on aging in place/villages in Western Upper County (Poolesville, Beallsville, Dickerson, Martinsburg). If you know of anyone who lives in that area, please forward the attached flyer to them.

Events of interest

1. Senator Van Hollen forum on Healthcare plans for federal employees:

Senator Van Hollen will hold two events on this topic in partnership with NARFE: November 12th 7-9 pm at the Executive Office Building and November 23rd 9-11am at Holiday Park Senior Center. for more information. For additional information or directions, please call 301-424-3501.

 

Pazit Aviv
Village Coordinator
Aging and Disability Services
Montgomery County Health and Human Services
401 Hungerford Dr. 4th floor
Rockville MD 20850

phone: 240-777-1231

 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Upcoming Events

13 Jun
Low Vision Rehabilitation Open House
06/13 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
Learn more about Low Vision Rehabilitation services to help maintain independence and improve quality of life!

The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement and preservation of sight by providing services, education, advocacy and innovation. One main program POB offers in the DC Metropolitan area is their Low Vision Learning Centers.

With locations in Bethesda, DC, and Alexandria, POB’s Low Vision Learning Centers offer personalized rehabilitation programming for persons with significant vision loss. Optometrists, who specialize in low vision, work with their patient one-on-one to create a plan to help achieve the activities of daily living they still want to be able to complete, even with vision loss. In addition, there is an opportunity to try and receive
training with different low vision aids and devices.

RSVP: Sean Curry,
15 Jun
Montgomery County’s Care for the Caregiver Event, A Day Devoted to Caregiving
06/15 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
This FREE event will INSPIRE, EDUCATE, MOTIVATE

We have designed this day especially for unpaid family/friend caregivers. By attending you will increase awareness of caregiver’s supports, health and wellness programs and lifelong engagement available in Montgomery County. In addition, the Listening Session will allow caregivers opportunity to share their needs with stakeholders.

Hosted by Montgomery County’s Health and Human Services Caregiver Support Program.

Attend and learn how to maintain well-being through support, community connections and education programs.

Event highlights include:
• Interactive sessions designed for family/friend unpaid caregivers. Attend and learn how to maintain well-being
through support, community connections and education programs.
• Stimulating information presentations that welcome caregiver questions.
• Unique caregiver conversations with the County’s African, Latino and Asian American health programs.
• Networking and support for LGBTQIA+ care partners.
• Information Resource Fair featuring (free or low cost) supports available for unpaid caregivers.
• Listening Session inviting unpaid caregivers to share their needs associated with caring for a loved-on at home.

Register online
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