What is a Village? The Village concept is a growing grassroots movement that aims to provide the support that older adults may require when choosing to age-in-place. The idea is simple: neighbor helping neighbor. Villages are volunteer-based, membership organizations.  Villages help older adults stay in their homes and communities by coordinating and bringing services to them. To learn more, please visit… http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/neighbor

 

The Braddock District estimates 22% of our neighborhood is over 65. We are an aging neighborhood and most of us want to age in our homes. We can do that successfully by creating a “Village” network. The idea is simple: neighbor helping neighbor.  A “Village” can also be called Neighbor-to-Neighbor (RN2N).

 

Rutherford RN2N, our neighborhood volunteer initiative, began in early 2016 with a survey. Soon after, several neighbors met to discuss the potential need to make Rutherford a great place to “age in place”.  Although RN2N is focused on older adults, we want to encourage all ages to become more aware of their neighbors in need. The planning committee agreed on an simple model with NO membership fee.  Many ideas were exchanged, including creating a task force, establishing their responsibilities, hosting block coffee discussions, and expanding the current directory to include adult volunteers. Efforts can begin with enhancing block communication, as well as coordinating volunteers and service recipients. Lastly, in conjunction with Fairfax County’s 50+ initiatives, our Village would go by the name of Rutherford Neighbor-to-Neighbor (RN2N).

 

The Survey

The interest survey results were promising. We received 75 responses from approximately 10% of the neighborhood.

• 49% of respondents indicated that they would be willing to be service volunteers

Most service volunteers were willing to help with transportation, minor home maintenance, or meals/light housekeeping.

• 17% of the respondents reported they would be interested in receiving volunteer services

Most service recipients indicated that transportation, minor home maintenance, and group events would be of the most interest.

The Planning Committee Meetings                                                         

Approximately 10-15 neighbors have expressed an interest in being part of the planning committee.  Initial meetings have resulted in the following:

Co-Coordinators:  Heidi Garvis and Marianne Parsons will function as the central hub for information and task force coordination.

Communication Task Force: Christine Brim and Pamela Stewart will be responsible for initiating, tracking and communicating the overall neighbor outreach for RN2N.

Directory and Volunteer Task Force: Anne Prior and Betsy Rose will create a system and directory of services and associated volunteers.

More volunteers will make less work for everyone.  If you have a question, concern, or volunteer interest, please contact:

Heidi Garvis – 703.426.2720 – heidi.garvis@gmail.com or

Marianne Parsons – 703.764.2066 – marianne.parsons63@gmail.com

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

RUTHERFORD NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR (RN2N)

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF RN2N?

The RN2N mission is to create an inter-generational neighborhood support system which will allow neighbors to age successfully and independently in Rutherford homes.  RN2N will utilize volunteer knowledge, time and talent to provide a variety of non-medical services.

 

WHO DOES RN2N SERVE?

ANYBODY WHO NEEDS HELP REGARDLESS OF AGE IN THE RUTHERFORD NEIGHBORHOOD (NEIGHBORHOOD AREA DEFINED IN THE RUTHERFORD DIRECTORY)

 

WHAT TYPE OF VOLUNTEER SERVICES DOES RN2N PROVIDE?

• Friendly Visits for home bound

• Occasional, temporary meals (e.g. during an illness or after surgery)

• Occasional, temporary light housekeeping or organizing

• Technology assistance (PC, iPad/iPhone, Android, internet, etc.)

• Provide general information about volunteer neighbors and other community resources.

• Minor Home Repairs (e.g. light bulbs, hang a shelf, etc.)

• Moving furniture inside the home

• Assistance with referrals for other services (e.g. non-volunteer services, home care, extensive home repair or disabled accessibility, on-going lawn maintenance, house cleaning, transportation, plumber, electricians, etc.)

• Baby sitting

• Snow shoveling

• Yard work

• Tutoring

 

WHAT VOLUNTEER HELP IS NOT PROVIDED?

TRANSPORTATION (*See below), MEDICAL CARE (PHYSICAL HANDS ON CARE) BILL PAYING, FINANCIAL SERVICES, MAJOR HOUSE REPAIRS, MAJOR TECHNOLOGY ISSUES and other restrictions as determined BY RN2N Planning Committee

 

WHAT IS THE COST TO YOU?

NOTHING AND NO TIPPING ALLOWED

Donations to the Rutherford Civic Association are appreciated.

 

WHERE CAN I GET TRANSPORTATION?

*RIDES TO MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS/PHARMACY OR SHOPPING ARE ORGANIZED THROUGH THE SHEPHERD’S CENTER OF FAIRFAX-BURKE PHONE: 703-323-4788. You must apply and schedule in advance.

 

WHO ARE THE COORDINATORS WHO CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS?

Heidi Garvis 703-426-2720 heidi.garvis@gmail.com

and Marianne Parsons 703-764-2066 marianne.parsons63@gmail.com

 

WHO ARE THE VOLUNTEERS?

YOUR NEIGHBORS SHOWN ON RUTHERFORD WEBSITE NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR TAB and RUTHERFORD DIRECTORY

 

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? VOLUNTEER to help a neighbor

BECOME A VOLUNTEER IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WAYS:

• PAY A FRIENDLY VISIT TO SOMEONE HOMEBOUND

• FIX A MEAL

• PROVIDE LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING OR ORGANIZATION

• HELP WITH A TECHNOLOGY PROBLEM

• WELCOME A NEW NEIGHBOR

• HOST A COFFEE SOCIAL TO SHARE RN2N NEWS AND INFORMATION!

• ORGANIZE AMOTHER’S DAY OUT, BOOK CLUB, TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT GROUP, AN EXERCISE CLASS, CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP OR OTHER SOCIAL EVENT

• HELP OR PLAN A NEIGHBOOR HOOD BLOCK PARTY

• HANDYMAN, MINOR HOME REPAIR

• HELP MOVE FURNITURE

• BABY SIT

• SHOVEL SNOW

• YARD WORK

• TUTOR

• BE ON THE RN2N PLANNING COMMITTEE

 

WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION?

RUTHERFORD WEBSITE NEIGHBOR-TO-NEIGHBOR TAB and RUTHERFORD DIRECTORY OR CONTACT

Heidi Garvis 703-437-2720 heidi.garvis@gmail.com

Marianne Parsons 703-764-2066 marianne.parsons63@gmail.com

 

WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE HAPPENING IN RUTHERFORD?

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, HALLOWEEN PARTY? Visit Rutherford website