The Virginia Villages Collective (VVC) and Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE) have launched a statewide initiative to reduce the public-health risk of social isolation among older Virginians by scaling the expansion of Villages. Entitled Aging Well with Virginia Villages, the new state-funded program is designed to accomplish two objectives: 1) provide grants for projects and programs that build the capacity of existing Villages to address the risks of social isolation; and 2) foster the development of new Villages in the Commonwealth with emphasis on underserved areas.
The following Villages have been awarded grants totaling $105,471:
- Arlington Neighborhood Village, Arlington County
- At Home in Alexandria, City of Alexandria
- Cville Village, City of Charlottesville
- Fairfax Village in the City, City of Fairfax
- Here to Stay in Wintergreen, Nelson County
- LOWLINC, Orange County
- Mount Vernon at Home, Fairfax County
- Rapp at Home, Rappahannock County
- Springhill Community Village, Fairfax County
- Valley Village, City of Harrisonburg
- Village Neighbors of Chincoteague, Accomack County
Funded projects are designed to expand programs to reach visually impaired and other vulnerable older adults; strengthen social connections through volunteer training and friendly calls and visits; organize neighborhood clusters to provide socialization, transportation and day trips; expand outreach to underserved areas; increase social programming for solo adults; and expand the Village service area to reach new communities.
To foster the development of new Villages, VVC is conducting proactive outreach to identify and recruit individuals and organizations interested in starting a Village in their communities. Program organizers are primarily focused on the following areas but are open to working with other localities: Roanoke, Richmond, Tidewater, Southside and Southwest Virginia. Planning groups will be enrolled in a Village Incubator Program that provides coaching and guidance for launching a Village. Interested parties should contact Kathryn de Medeiros at kathryndemedeiros.phd@gmail.com.
Reducing the risk of social isolation is the chief focus of the Aging Well with Virginia Villages program. Social isolation is a national epidemic with serious cognitive and physical health risks, especially for older adults. It accounts for an estimated $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending annually. It is the second highest concern (after affordable housing) among Virginia’s Aging Network professionals. The index of social isolation risk factors is particularly high in the Valley, Southside and Southwest regions of the Commonwealth.
Virginia’s Villages have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing social isolation risks. In 2024 they engaged more than 5,000 older adults, volunteers and family caregivers; sponsored 1,260+ social and educational programs reaching 16,850 older adults; and logged over 49,400 volunteer service hours, valued at $1.7 million.
PATH supports Cville Village and Here to stay in Wintergreen programs to strengthen support for older adults’ transportation needs in the Charlottesville region area. PATH provides assistance in answering calls, software management and scheduling rides for the members, know-how and program development guidance, staff and marketing assistance as well as office support.
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The Virginia Villages Collective (VVC) is a collaboration of Virginia’s 17 Villages that manages the Aging Well with Virginia Villages Program. The mission of VVC is to increase awareness of the Village model and its benefits, promote the development of new Virginia Villages, foster the growth and sustainability of existing Villages, and establish partnerships with other organizations serving older Virginians and their caregivers.
The Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE) is the largest and oldest regional association of Villages in the country, serving 81 Villages in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. WAVE facilitates networking as well as educational, charitable, and collaborative activities among Villages, agencies, and service organizations. WAVE actively promotes the Village Movement and supports the development and growth of Villages. WAVE serves as the fiscal sponsor for the Aging Well with Virginia Villages program.