July 11, 5 p.m., at New Mark Clubhouse
By Lori Newman
I would like to introduce Trish Evans. She has been the Rockville Villages Coordinator since 2016. Several years ago, this neighborhood attempted to begin a village, but timing is everything.
Recently there has been a renewed interest in beginning again. Several neighbors independently contact Trish regarding beginning a village here. So Trish will come to our Clubhouse at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 11 to discuss the concept and how it works.
Light snacks will be provided. Bring your favorite beverage and a neighbor.
Trish Evans comes with a great wealth of community organizing skills. Since she has been here, she has helped create eight Villages in different communities in Rockville, and there are maybe 5 new ones about to start.
It does take a village in these busy times, and we are the perfect community to participate. Many of us already help our neighbors by picking up groceries or medications for someone who may be unable to do so. Some of us dog walk for each other, some babysit each other’s human kids. These are just a few examples of how our neighborhood could join forces and help each other out more and to be able to enjoy our community in a different way, perhaps making us feel more secure that we live in a community that really feels like home.
Villages are local, volunteer-led, grassroots organizations helping to foster social connections through activities and events, and coordinate volunteer help at home using a neighbor-helping-neighbor model.
Each village is unique and reflects the character, interests and needs of the community that creates it. The village leadership decides what it would offer and how it would operate, based on the input from the community.
Please come to the meeting and introduce yourselves to her. She will be giving a brief introduction to our community as well as taking questions from the community.
If you have any questions, please contact Lori Newman, lenew1@aol.com, or Trish Evans, Trish Evans
tevans@rockvillemd.gov.
Editor’s note: Look for future columns by Lori on senior issues in Rockville.