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Reflections on 2023-2025

Dearest gentle reader, 

I may not be a gossip columnist, but I do have so much to share about the happenings at Pasadena Village. The Annual Meeting on June 20 celebrated the successes of our past year and our shared values of Legacy and Reflection.

The Keynote Speaker was Mary Winners, BSBA, MSG, CPG, Certified Gerontologist and Founder of About Senior Solutions. She shared her perspective on what we all need as we age - most importantly relationships. Her acronym SHAPE UP resonated with those in attendance.

Spiritual Community - be part of something that is bigger than you.

Healthy Life Balance - Create a balance of mind, body, and spirit.

Attitude & Influencers - Keep a positive attitude and stay close to people who do the same.

Physical Activity - Any type of physical activity is beneficial.

Eating Habits - Food should nourish your body. 

United Family - Close relationships keep us healthy and happy.

Purpose - Purpose creates a reason to get up in the morning. 

We are so grateful for Mary’s support and About Senior Solutions’ business partnership. 

Rick Holliday, Development Committee Chair launched the Village Legacy Society, recognizing those who have decided to include Pasadena Village in their estate plans. He thanked the Villagers and donors who made this commitment to our mission and gave each of them a commemorative pin for being a founding member.

One of our values as a village is that of Legacy. As we continue to expand and support more aging-in-place adults, gifts from those in the Legacy Society will sustain the village movement in Pasadena. If you are interested in learning more about the Village Legacy Society, contact me at katie@pasadenavillage.org or 626-765-6093. 

Outgoing president Sue Kujawa thanked retiring board members Pat Dawe, Nick Everett, Nancy Goodell, Diane Kirbis, and Nancy Valentine. She also thanked Betty Ann Jansson for her service as Treasurer.

Officers for 2024-25
Richard Myers, President
Wayne April, Vice President
Barbara Madden, Vice President
Claire Gorfinkel, Secretary
Doug Colliflower, Treasurer
 
New Directors for 2024-25
Nolan Arcos
Michelle Chiu
Daniel Guerrero
Phillip Hoge

Incoming president Dick Myers spoke about the importance of leadership in reaching and succeeding goals. In closing the 2024 Annual Meeting, he cited his Louisiana heritage and said, "Laissez les bons temps rouler," which was met with a great cheer. 

In the spirit of reflection, I was looking back on this past year and being grateful for everyone at Pasadena Village. We now have over 200 villagers including 66 new villagers who have joined in the last year. 

When we started this fiscal year in June 2023, we were mourning the loss of one of our founders, Mike Babcock whose legacy continues to drive our growth and empowerment of older adults. We were 153 villagers strong and ready to embark on the second year of our strategic plan. 

In August, we furthered our partnership with California State University Los Angeles, welcoming two social work interns Lyle Tooks and Julie Coveney who quickly became part of the support team. We again welcomed Cal State LA Masters of Public Health students and they held a community engagement project focusing on combating ageism. 

The new Editorial Team launched, headed by Bridget Brewster and Lois Heyman, and new Villager Marv Dainoff shared his expertise and passion for ergonomics.

We took advantage of two national funding opportunities for the first time, both for vaccine outreach including our first federal sub-grant from USAging. Joining the Aging and Disability Vaccine Collaborative opened the door for many new partnerships and brought in $50,000 worth of funding. 

Also nationwide, three of our Villagers, Dick Myers, Ed Mervine, and Marv Dainoff are representing Pasadena Village as ambassadors in a new project with Village to Village Network and Rutgers University. Villages as Key Partners for Healthy Aging Research promises to measure data on how participation in villages can improve health outcomes. Everyone is invited to the virtual summit next Thursday to hear about these partnerships in healthy aging.

Celebrations were in order - we celebrated Dia de Los Muertos and Diwali for the first time as a Village, thanks to Villager Dan Guerrero and staff member Priyanka Kumar. 

Due to the generous support of donors and a great planning team, we hosted the Vintage celebration at the Shakespeare Club in October honoring Villager Monica Hubbard. Karen Bagnard brought flair to the event by depicting 14 Villagers as Vintners aged to perfection on personalized wine bottle art pieces. Many also gathered on Thanksgiving Day at the home of Wayne April and Jeff Gutstadt for a potluck dinner.

New Villager Gina Frierman-Hunt launched the new Late Risers walkers for those who didn’t want the 8 AM start, and the Urban Walkers and Hiking group both hit record numbers. In the new year, Gina also shared her artwork and taught fellow older adults how to draw on their iPads.  The Cultural Activities Team planned outings to the Bowers Museum, USC Fisher Gallery, LA Opera, and Octavia’s Bookshelf among many others.

Another new group was formed around the sometimes emotional process of decluttering. Villager Suzi Hoge reviews strategies and each of the Villagers in the decluttering group supports each other. 

The Ready or Not program launched after the planning group, headed by Barbara Madden, spent 6 months refining the program and notebook for our village. This extensive program helps those aging-in-place to create a plan for themselves for the next steps in their lives. It was supported by Pasadena Community Foundation. Three cohorts have met already and with so much demand, two additional sessions will begin in July. 

The Pasadena Community Foundation also funded a new free resource website, AgingSGV.org with articles for and by older adults, presentation recordings, and connections to local nonprofit organizations. 

In February, Senator Anthony Portantino honored Pasadena Village and our statewide network, Village Movement California, with a Senate resolution at City Hall.

We know each of our Villagers contributes to the betterment of the wider community, but this year, two got special recognition - Altadena Chamber of Commerce honored Doug Colliflower as the Centennial Citizen of the Year,  and Katy Townsend was honored by Congresswoman Judy Chu as a Woman of the Year.

We held two successful resource fairs - Vibrant Living in February at the Women’s 20th Century Club of Eagle Rock, and Pasadena Celebrates Older Americans Month in partnership with the City of Pasadena Parks and Recreation Department. Connecting over 400 older adults with the resources available in our communities. Those are two of over 60 events offered for free to the public. Most were educational programs planned by members to help older adults learn about age-related topics and consider their options.

Karen Bagnard set the stage for a budding partnership with Journey House, and we are exploring more ways to connect older adults with those who have been in the foster system. We also partnered with the So Cal Women’s Health Conference and the new nonprofit Connect 2 Rise, where we held the Mental Health Month author talk in May with Villager Bonnie Armstrong.

We grew our partnership with Neighborhood Church. We participated in their resource fair again and in December, we hosted a flu vaccine clinic on site with Business Partner Pegasus Home Health Care who vaccinated 43 individuals.

Three IT Cafes were held thanks to Ayuda Técnica para Mayores, an organization founded by local high school students to provide bilingual tech support to seniors.

For the third year in a row, we had a presence at Altadena Pride and this year, we will also participate in the City of Pasadena’s Love Loud and Proud celebration. Several villagers and staff toured the LA LGBT Center to learn about the many ways they support over 2,000 LGBT+  elders each year through their senior services. 

Jim Hendrick spearheaded a partnership to help revitalize Washington Park. In June, over 70 joined us for a free jazz concert with Clazzical Notes. 

With over 70 small gatherings each month, Villagers connect with one another and find support as they age-in-place. None of this is possible without our members who organize, plan, support, and care for one another. And for those who volunteer as drivers, helpers, and leaders - your legacy continues to shape our organization and wider community. 

Villagers supported each other through loss and challenges - homemade meals were delivered, so many supportive calls and texts were exchanged, cards were sent. Particular gratitude to our Care Team and Village Visitors who reached out personally with condolences, listening ears, comforting shoulders, and resource connections and practical support.

Each of the Villagers brings their vibrant approach to aging, readiness to meet new people and share their time and skills to make our community-without-walls even better. 

We increased our capacity by hiring our new Development Associate, Samantha Petersen Gallasch, who joins Priyanka Kumar and Hannah Rough-Schock as our amazing staff. Thank you for all you do. 

And finally, I would like to thank our Board of Directors, and especially President Sue Kujawa who has supported me, fellow leaders, villagers, and volunteers with her calm, caring encouragement. She personifies leadership in action - always having time to listen, advise, and share from her extensive experience and find perspective, no matter what the situation - thank you!

Yours Truly,

Katie Brandon

Executive Director