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Learn about Greater Lewes Community Village April 17

April 10, 2013

The Greater Lewes Community Village will sponsor an open forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 17, to introduce Lewes-area residents to GLCV, a new community organization whose purpose is to enable seniors to stay safely and comfortably in their own homes as they grow older. The forum will take place at the Lewes Public Library, second-floor meeting room. Space is limited so early arrival is advisable.

The Village is a volunteer-driven, grassroots, nonprofit organization whose members will be age 50 and over Lewes-area residents. As a recent survey about the Village shows, Lewes-area residents’ interest in what the Village will offer is very high. The Village will provide a community of support, services, referrals and programs that make it possible for Village members to live independently while remaining engaged in the variety of social and cultural activities their community affords.

The basic premise of the Village is that, to have assistance in remaining in their homes, Village members will pay a reasonable membership fee for access to a variety of vetted vendors, such as electricians, plumbers, and yard services, as well as personal and technical services including computer support. Volunteer support services, including transportation, household assistance, friendly visiting, and such things as pet walking and simple yard work are component pieces of the program, as are Village-sponsored programs. This one-stop shopping opportunity will provide confidence and security for Village members as they continue to live at home.

The Lewes Village is part of a nationwide movement. There are more than 80 similar organizations throughout the country with over 100 more in the planning stages. The City of Lewes and nearby Sussex County neighborhoods are ideal for a village. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, in Lewes and the surrounding area, 65 percent of the population is 50 years of age and older, and 37 percent of households consist of one person living alone.

At the April 17 open forum, Village representatives will provide additional details about the Village, explain how to become a member of the Village, offer volunteer opportunities to assist with delivering Village services and other critical Village concerns, and invite vendors to initiate the process of vetting to be included in the vendor roster. Preregistration for Village membership will open June 1 for membership activation Nov. 1, when services will begin.

For further information, contact Sue McCarthy at 302-827-3452 or lewesvillage@gmail.com.

 

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