Thanks to the leadership of then-CEO Lisa Hendrickson and John Sink, Avenidas VP of Programs, Avenidas provided guidance, a seed grant, a home, and staff. The founders wanted the Village to start on a firm foundation, so many of them added their contributions to the seed money granted by Avenidas, which enabled our launch, as well as creating our “reserve fund,” which provides us with flexibility to support programs beyond what is covered in membership dues.

After years of thoughtful preparation and research, in 2007, Avenidas Village officially launched with a party that attracted over 400 seniors although only 70 were expected! Talk at the party was vibrant with slogans like “Your life, your way, in your home” and “Helping you help yourself.” The Village concept was recognized by the community as an important way for local seniors to plan ahead for the life they wanted while continuing to live at home.

The founders’ vision was to provide for three important areas of support for seniors in their homes. First was to identify the types of services seniors would need at each stage of their lives. The Vendor List was developed to allow members to help themselves by finding the services they needed, with support and guidance available from Village staff if needed. The resource of screened, trusted vendors giving excellent service is still in place today. The reserve funds have allowed us to add the annual free handyman and tech support benefits.

The second goal of the founders was that members would form a supportive community to help one another avoid the isolation of old age. While a variety of interactions were planned, many of the special interest groups we enjoy today were formed much later. Today, any member with a good idea can develop a special interest group that will thrive as long as members are interested.

The third value important to the founders was that seniors needed to continue to participate in cultural events in the community that they had always valued, such as theater, exhibits, concerts, art shows, gardens, among others. As we age, planning and getting to such events becomes more of a challenge. The founders’ reserve fund now provides for the salary of our part-time Social Events Coordinator to plan and lead such events.

The founders hoped that the Village would always be attentive to members’ needs and continue to adapt to meet those needs. They viewed the Village as “a work in progress,” always striving to meet the goals of its members. We will never be a “finished product,” but we will always flourish with the thoughtful foundation provided by our founders and earliest members and supporters.