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Date: 1/2/2020
Subject: January 2020 Newsletter
From: Greater Niles Village - News


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January 2020 Newsletter
Mission Peak Snow

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS


Staying socially engaged is fundamental to personal health and fulfillment. Many of the naturally occurring changes that accompany the aging process - declining mobility, loss of loved ones, retirement and so on - increase the risk for isolation. As an integral part of a person’s well-being, like exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep, social connections are vital. The restorative effects can be just as strong as those other, more traditional methods of promoting health.
 
Meet several Villagers and learn how GNV is providing opportunities for maintaining strong connections to family, friends and community, finding a sense of purpose, and, importantly, preventing isolation.
  • Kathy describes her purpose for joining the Village is to not be her mother’s only caregiver. She recognizes that her mom needs friends as well as a daughter to have a full social life.
  • Doug talks about discovering how aging independently is a myth. It’s interdependence that makes it possible to enjoy a full life as one gets older.
  • Barbara recently moved from Florida to Niles where she lives with her daughter. She is making friends in her new neighborhood through GNV.
  • Having grown up in Niles, Ed knows many long-time “Nilesians”. He reminds us how “high-touch” connections matter most and keeps us laughing.
  • Marge is known to so many in Fremont, having taught junior high school English and volunteered for so many worthwhile groups like AAUW, Fremont LEAF, Abode Services, and Cal Retired Teachers.
  • Pat is a “doer”: the first to volunteer and the first to offer down-to-earth, practical advice. As GNV’s first “official” member, she got us beyond talk to getting the job done.
  • Iris was missing the social interactions at work and contributing to others. She observes, “Government programs, health services and social services help, but they can’t replace a cohesive neighborhood where people look out for one another.”
  • Pam has supported both her own parents and her husbands.  She joined GNV to share what she’s learned about support that allow older people to remain in charge of their lives and give their adult children some peace of mind.
  • Susan is winding down into retirement. She says, “I’d like to stay here in the neighborhood and in my home of 43 years, but only if I can develop a support network for myself. That’s why I’ve joined GNV.”

WHO YA GONNA CALL?  


Greater Niles Village just got "greater" through the implementation of Direct Services. Currently 14 volunteers have been screened to provide direct individual services to Greater Niles Village members. That number is increasing as membership grows. Adding the Direct Services membership follows a pilot program to refine the system for requesting services and to collect data about offered services.
 
Direct Services for individual members or households works like this: The member requesting service phones or e-mails the GNV Call Manager about the type and time service is needed. The Call Manager then reviews a master list of services and volunteers, matching the help provider with the need, and contacting the appropriate group of volunteers. As soon as the assignment is filled, notification goes out to the volunteers and to the member who requested the service. The chain of communication requires that the volunteers who identified preferred areas of service check their devices--e-mail, phone, texts--regularly and often to facilitate seamless communication. The pilot project identified shopping and transportation as the two most popular service requests. We expect the types of service will expand as GNV membership grows and the number of volunteers increases.
 
In addition to the screened Service Providers, Greater Niles Village is establishing a list of Contractors to which Villagers have access. Currently there are seven screened Contractors in GNV's directory.
 

JOIN US


Greater Niles Village (GNV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, member-driven organization led by a Board of Directors. Villagers work together to provide social experiences and support services and to create new possibilities for what’s next as we age. There is no paid staff. Funding from membership supports all GNV activities. GNV membership (paid annually) includes Direct Services at $30 per month per individual or $40 per month per household OR Social (no direct services) $20 per month per individual. www.GreaterNilesVillage.org  510-936-0214

HELPING HANDS TEAM

Villages operate on the concept of reciprocity--neighbors helping neighbors--members and community volunteers sharing expertise and skills. Add your “helping hands” as a volunteer to provide Villagers with practical support. See GreaterNilesVillage.org or call 510 936-0214 to learn about opportunities that match your skills and availability.

UPCOMING SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS


Meet neighbors who share your passions. GNV is convening social networks around activities and interests, connections that help us age successfully in our community. See the calendar on www.GreaterNilesVillage.org for Special Interest Group scheduled activities or call 510-936-0214 for information.
  • Needlework: Beginner or experienced, come for fellowship and assistance with your project.
  • Book Club: Classic literature or latest best seller, fiction or non-fiction, participate in lively discussion whether or not you have read the book
  • Walking: Explore Niles on foot (and maybe learn some interesting historical tidbits)—all fitness levels welcome.
  • Take Charge of Your Tech: Master your devices with help from the Cybergeezers of SIRS (Sons in Retirement)..
Greater Niles Village
PO Box 2021
 Fremont CA 94536
 510-936-0214
 
501(c)(3)
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