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“We believe that a better experience of aging is possible when we support and rely on one another,” says Caroline Dillon, executive director of The Village Common of Rhode Island. “Every day our members and volunteers come together to provide mutual support and create purposeful and powerful opportunities for what’s next as we grow older.”

Roughly one in three people older than 65 live alone in the United States, and half of those over 85 live alone. Most spend at least ten hours of their waking hours alone. Studies show the prevalence of loneliness among people older than 60 ranging from 10% to 46%. This is where the ‘village model’ comes in.

Villages are community-based, nonprofit, grassroots organizations formed through a corps of caring neighbors who want to change the paradigm of aging.  

Local Villages connect members to a wide array of practical services and social connections that enable older adults to enjoy a rich and healthy quality of life when they choose to age in their homes and communities. Villages offer resources, services, programs and activities, including social and educational programs, health and wellness activities, and volunteer assistance with transportation, light home maintenance, and technology coaching.

“The concept of a village has taken off like wildfire,” notes Caroline. The concept started 25 years ago and there are approximately 350 villages now across the United States.

“The need for a village has never been greater,” claims Caroline. The organization does not go into a community and tell them they need a village—they come to them. Then they go in and look at data to find out what services they currently have. Does a village make sense for the landscape of their particular community? “Rhode Island is a wonderful tapestry of communities—each distinct.” The organization is set up as ‘hub and spoke’ allowing each village to reflect a community’s distinct personality.” The clients and the volunteers are all home-grown—hyperlocal.

Each village has the same mission supporting older adults to age at home through volunteers. Reset that router, change a lightbulb, pick up a prescription or groceries.“But it is never just providing a service; it’s personal.” The volunteers (most of whom are elderly) are also connecting from this interaction. Someone may go into a home to change a lightbulb, but they don’t climb a ladder and go away—they stay and have a chat—they reduce social isolation and loneliness.

The Village Common of Rhode Island currently has villages in Aquidneck Island, Barrington, Burrillville, Edgewood, Glocester, Jamestown, Providence, Warwick, and Westerly, with three more locations in the works.  

When asked ‘why this fund at the Foundation,’ Caroline replies: “One of our village members suggested we open an endowment, surprised that we didn’t have one for our future sustainability. The Board agreed it was a wise decision.”  

They are currently receiving grants from funds managed by the Rhode Island Foundation—June Rockwell Levy, Newport County Fund, and direct grants from the Foundation. They handle all grant writing at the hub, and manage the distributions to the spokes of various villages, allowing them to focus on their members, their needs, and their volunteers.  

“We are continually looking for volunteers. Many don’t even live within the community  for which they volunteer, but answer phones, offer tech support, etc. Share your gift, whatever your gift is.”