PNA Village

About the PNA Village

The PNA Village is part of a burgeoning, world-wide Village movement that champions an alternative approach for adults as they grow older.

The very first Village began as a grassroots effort in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts in 2002. Community members in Beacon Hill wanted to stay in their homes while also getting access to support and resources as their abilities and needs changed with age, and custom-built the first Village to fill their needs.

Now there are more than 180 Villages operating across the United States, Australia and the Netherlands. Over 200 additional Villages are currently in development.

PNA Village Purpose

Creating a strong and active intergenerational community that reimagines aging by offering elders opportunities combined with support to fully engage in this next phase of life.

Core Beliefs

  • All members matter regardless of age or ability. They have the right to choose what’s right for them as they grow older.
  • Aging is a vital and challenging phase of life best shared with a supportive community.
  • We are a thriving, inclusive community full of creativity, energy, enthusiasm, experience and laughter.
  • Community is organic, evolving from grassroots, based on the wishes of members.
  • Elders contribute to the social capital that holds communities together.
  • We are leading the revolution to change aging.

The Village Movement

The Village Movement is a burgeoning, world-wide movement that champions an alternative approach for adults as they grow older. Villages are unique in that they are created by and for older adults, empowering their members to make wise, safe, and vibrant choices about how they wish to live.

The very first village began as a grassroots effort in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts in 2002. Community members in Beacon Hill wanted to stay in their homes while also getting access to support and resources as their abilities and needs changed with age, and custom-built the first Village to fill their needs.

Now there are more than 300 villages operating or in development across the United States, Australia and Canada.

To learn more about the national village movement and see an interactive map of villages in all stages of development, visit the Village to Village Network website.

No two villages are alike; each village develops its own community. However, most villages are non-profit membership organizations providing three core benefits: a network of volunteers, information and referrals to vetted businesses, and social activities.

PNA Village Services

Volunteer Services

Full Members Only

Handy Helpers

These volunteers assist with a wide range of small tasks and projects, in and around your home. Some examples of things handy helpers have done are:

  • Dog walking
  • Minor plumbing or electrical repairs
  • Installing grab bars
  • Organizing a closet
  • Weeding and pruning
  • Basic computer assistance

Transportation

With one week’s notice, PNA Village members can arrange rides to anywhere they need or want to go. Rides can be to places like:

  • Medical appointments
  • The grocery store or other errands
  • Classes or community events
  • A coffee shop or restaurant

Friendly Visitors

Members can request to be matched with volunteers for regular or one time social visits. Some examples of friendly visits are:

  • Going for a walk together
  • Working a puzzle together
  • Chatting about current events
  • Enjoying a cup of tea or coffee together
  • Sharing a weekly phone call

What to expect when a volunteer is requested

When members could use volunteer help, they can call or email the Village office to talk with staff about their specific needs. Staff will then post their requests to a password-protected website, where 200+ volunteers can sign up for the requests that match their skills and schedules. Once a volunteer signs up for a request, the member will be notified by members, followed by a phone call from the volunteer to work out the details.

Referrals to Trusted Businesses

Full & Builder Members

Referrals to Trusted Businesses

The Village Office maintains a list of favored local businesses that we refer our members to. We conduct reference checks, background checks, and research into each vendor on our vetted list.

If you are a business and would like to be considered for this list, please download our application.

Social Engagement

Full & Builder Members

Events and Activities

Our events, activities, and discussion groups are fun, low-key, and open to all members and volunteers. We have a mix of in-person, virtual, and call-in events.

PNA Village Service Area

Because full PNA Village members have access to volunteers, and the Village is a program of neighbors helping neighbors, full members must live within NW Seattle.  Builder Members may live anywhere.

The PNA Village covers the following neighborhoods:

     – Ballard
     – Bitter Lake
     – Broadview
     – Fremont
     – Green Lake
     – Greenwood
     – Haller Lake
     – Licton Springs
     – Phinney Ridge
     – Wallingford

 

 

 

How to Join the Village

A PNA Membership is an enhanced membership to the Phinney Neighborhood Association. Depending on your need, you may choose from 2 levels of PNA Village membership.

Village Full Membership

This level is for people who want the full scope of Village services including support services from volunteers, referrals to vetted professionals, and social engagement activities. You can join as an individual or a household.  Full members must live in NW Seattle. 

  • Full Household $630/annually ($80 is tax-deductible)
  • Full Individual $380/annually ($50 is tax-deductible)

Village Builder Membership

This level is for people who do not require full Village services yet, but wish to build the future of the program plus receive added benefits including referrals to vetted professionals and community building activities. All but $50 of this membership is tax-deductible. You can join as an individual or a household.

  • Builder Household: $330/annually ($280 is tax-deductible)
  • Builder Individual: $200/annually ($150 is tax-deductible)

PNA Membership Included

The PNA Village is a program of the Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA). PNA membership fees are included in the price of Village membership, a $50 value for individuals and $80 for households. PNA benefits include discounts to PNA events and classes, membership to the Greenwood Senior Center, and access to the tool lending library.

Reduced fee membership

We do not want income to be a barrier for anyone in joining the PNA Village.

We offer assistance to those who cannot afford standard membership fees. To be eligible, yearly income must be $70,000 or less for an individual, or $80,000 or less for a household of two or more persons. To determine your eligibility, please contact Rebecca Fogarty, PNA Village Program manager, for a confidential discussion at 206.789.1217 or gro.r1710795588etnec1710795588yenni1710795588hp@fa1710795588ccebe1710795588r1710795588.

Featured Village Events and Ongoing Groups

Below are some examples of ongoing groups and activities that PNA Village members and volunteers are invited to participate in. Each group below reflects the inspiration of a Village member or volunteer eager to create more community.

What’s Next? Conversations About Our Aging Futures Discussion Series
March Session: Staying in My Home
Wednesday, March 27, 10 am–12 pm
Phinney Center Blue Building Main Floor, Room 1, 6532 Phinney Ave N

Jewelry Making Group

4th Monday of each month, 1–3 pm
Greenwood Senior Center
525 N 85th St

Come dabble in baubles! No prior experience needed and no supplies to bring, though if you have your own tools, please bring them. Any fees will depend on group interest and projects. There’s no need to attend every month, we’ll catch you up! Limit 8-10 participants, based on available tools and supplies. RSVP required; contact Holly Stein, moc.l1710795588iamg@1710795588niets1710795588byllo1710795588h1710795588 or 206.790.0266.

Village Happy Hour

Wednesdays, 4 pm
The Barking Dog Alehouse
705 NW 70th St

Join other Village members and volunteers for happy hour! Along with great food and drink options, the Barking Dog offers great outdoor seating with heater lamps and protection from the wind and rain. Happy Hour is facilitated by members Terry Cook and Bruce Baker. Please contact Bruce if you have questions, moc.n1710795588sm@re1710795588kabpb1710795588.

Monthly Book Group

2nd Wednesday of each month, 11 am–12 pm
Couth Buzzard Books
8310 Greenwood Ave N

Have you read a good book lately? Looking for new recommendations? This is not your average book club where everyone reads the same book. Join in to talk about what you’re reading and to hear what others are reading. Not currently reading anything? No problem! It’s a fun group with great conversation!

Reader’s Theatre

Formerly Play Reading Group

3rd Thursday of each month, NEW TIME 1:30–3 pm
Greenwood Senior Center
525 N 85th St

Spearheaded by member and volunteer Diana Aubin DeParadis, this group’s main focus is on one-act plays. Participants may choose to read or simply enjoy being an audience member. Players start with a brief, low-pressure time to familiarize themselves with the script, after which their audience enjoys a rough but eventful reading! Tea and water provided; potluck snacks welcome but not necessary. If you’d like to be a reader, please contact Diana at moc.l1710795588iamg@1710795588ydald1710795588rib301710795588021710795588. If you’d like to join the audience, feel free to just show up!

PNA Village Walking Group

2nd and 4th Fridays of each month, 1 pm

Newcomers are always welcome! This small group begins their walks promptly at 1:05 PM. The group changes walking location each time, so be sure to check in and see where they’ll be next! Questions? Please contact group member Vicki at moc.o1710795588ohay@1710795588mahsi1710795588rv1710795588.

Stewart’s Friday Walkers

1st and 3rd Fridays of each month, 10 am

Join us for regular walks and stops around Ballard! Visit some small parks, explore Sunset Hill, stop along the way for refreshments, or visit the Ballard Locks and botanical gardens, followed by fish and chips for lunch. Village member Stewart Hendrickson led the pack for the past year and we were terribly sad to say goodbye to him recently when he moved from the Seattle area. Many thanks and our very best wishes to you, Stewart! In his honor, we now call ourselves “Stewart’s Friday Walkers.” We will meet on scheduled Fridays at the corner of 17th Ave. NW and NW 59th St. to continue exploring greater Ballard and stopping for conversation and refreshment. Liz White will be the group’s new contact person; contact her at moc.l1710795588iamg@1710795588eizzi1710795588lsnat1710795588s1710795588 to find out where we’ll be walking next!

High, Neighbor! Village Pot Group

Ongoing dates/times TBA

The last few years have been so tense—it’s high time to have fun again! To attend this joint effort by Villagers Eileen Casper and Bernice Maslan, contact Eileen at 206.789.6342 or moc.k1710795588ooltu1710795588o@rep1710795588sacmn1710795588eelie1710795588 for info on upcoming meetings.

Performing Arts Interest Email Group

Are you a patron of the arts? Would you like to connect with other Village members who are interested in attending theatre, music, or dance performances? Join our Performing Arts Interest Group, an email list for Village members and volunteers which allows you to email with other interested members about upcoming arts events. To join, simply email gro.r1710795588etnec1710795588yenni1710795588hp@eg1710795588alliV1710795588 and we will add you to the list.

Village Coffee Hour

Mondays, 10–11 am
Zoom

Join Online: Click Here
Join by Phone: 253.215.8782; Meeting ID: 850 4070 4929; Password: 921226

Pour yourself some coffee or tea and join facilitators Lynda Emel and Christie Cave for engaging weekly conversation topics. New participants are warmly welcomed!

Conversation and News of the Day

Tuesdays, 10 am, Zoom
Thursdays, 10 am, Couth Buzzard Books
8310 Greenwood Ave N

Read all about it! Talk all about it! Come join a moderated group discussion on a topic or news article that interests you. Group 1 meets via Zoom every Tuesday and Group 2 meets at Couth Buzzard Books every Thursday.
Contact Steve for more info or Zoom link, ten.t1710795588sacmo1710795588c@art1710795588skeoh1710795588ls1710795588.

Backup Plan for Solo Agers Pilot Group

2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 5–7 pm
Zoom

A growing portion of the age 50+ population is composed of “solos.” These are individuals who cannot or choose not to rely on family to help them navigate life events and make health decisions as they age. If you think the term “solo” applies to you and would be interested in being part of an ongoing solos pilot peer group, the Greenwood Senior Center’s new “Backup Plan for Solo Agers” group is for you!

This group is designed to help solos plan for and manage health and well-being decisions and events—both large and small—during the second half of life. You’ll work with other solos to create a personal backup plan to make sure you have help and support when you need it. Semi-monthly peer group meetings will keep you on track and provide an opportunity to learn about resources, build skills, and form social connections. This will ultimately be a self-managing group, but a facilitator will get the group started and check in occasionally to help the group be successful.

This pilot group is part of the Greenwood Senior Center’s Social Connection Project, which is funded by the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. To sign up for the group and obtain the Zoom link and/or learn more about the Social Connection Project, please contact Teresa Tam, Social Connection Project Coordinator, at gro.r1710795588etnec1710795588yenni1710795588hp@ta1710795588seret1710795588 or 206.531.0061.

Volunteer for the Village

Volunteering for the PNA Village is a great way to support your elder neighbors who are choosing to remain in the homes and neighborhoods they love as they age. Volunteering is flexible and easy – you simply sign up for shifts that work with your skills and availability!

We have many different kinds of volunteer opportunities

  • Rides to appointments, coffee shops, grocery stores, or to meet up with friends
  • Dog walking and other pet care tasks
  • Minor home repairs and maintenance
  • Yard and garden work
  • Light housekeeping chores
  • Basic computer assistance
  • Keeping in touch with members through regular check in calls or in person social visits
  • Helping with social events and activities
  • Office support such as answering phones, data entry, or website help
  • Committee and program support

Interested in becoming a Village volunteer?

  1. Complete our online application.
  2. Email gro.r1710795588etnec1710795588yenni1710795588hp@eg1710795588alliv1710795588 to sign up for a volunteer training. Trainings are held once a month via zoom and last about an hour.
  3. Village staff will supply you with additional paperwork to complete, including a confidentiality form and a background check release form.
  4. Once your paperwork has been processed, you can start signing up for shifts!

Quarterly Connections Newsletter

The Connections Newsletter is a quarterly newsletter that is created by and for Village community members through our Newsletter Committee. From ideations, to editing, to layout, and even mailing, it is all done by the sheer enthusiasm and will of the Village Newsletter Committee! Check out what PNA Village community members are talking about in our most recent issue!

More Senior Programs

Support the Village

Please consider a donation to the PNA Village. Membership fees only cover a portion of program costs. Your donation supports your neighbors as they age, and helps the Village program remain available for anyone who needs it.

Contact Information

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