Skip to header Skip to main content Skip to footer
Helpful Village logo
Add me to your mailing list
Youtube channel Instagram page Facebook page
Header image for Pasadena Village showing nearby mountains and the logo of the Pasadena Village
Villager Log-in
Donate

Blog archive

March 2025

About Senior Solutions
03/28/2025

Building a Bridge With Journey House, A Home Base for Former Foster Youth
03/28/2025

Come for the Knitting, Stay for the Conversation... and the Cookies
03/28/2025

Creating Safe and Smart Spaces with Home Technology
03/28/2025

Finding Joy in My Role on The Pasadena Village Board
03/28/2025

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!
03/28/2025

Managing Anxiety
03/28/2025

Message from Our President: Keeping Pasadena Village Strong Together
03/28/2025

My Favorite Easter Gift
03/28/2025

The Hidden History of Black Women in WWII
03/28/2025

Urinary Tract Infection – Watch Out!
03/28/2025

Volunteer Coordinator and Blade-Runner
03/28/2025

Continuing Commitment to Combating Racism
03/26/2025

Status - March 20, 2025
03/20/2025

Goodbye and Keep Cold by Robert Frost
03/13/2025

What The Living Do by Marie Howe
03/13/2025

Racism is Not Genetic
03/11/2025

Bill Gould, The First
03/07/2025

THIS IS A CHAPTER, NOT MY WHOLE STORY
03/07/2025

Dramatic Flair: Villagers Share their Digital Art
03/03/2025

Empowering Senior LGBTQ+ Caregivers
03/03/2025

A Life Never Anticipated
03/02/2025

Eaton Fire Changes Life
03/02/2025

February 2025

Commemorating Black History Month 2025
02/28/2025

Transportation at the Pasadena Village
02/28/2025

A Look at Proposition 19
02/27/2025

Behind the Scenes: Understanding the Pasadena Village Board and Its Role
02/27/2025

Beyond and Within the Village: The Power of One
02/27/2025

Celebrating Black Voices
02/27/2025

Creatively Supporting Our Village Community
02/27/2025

Decluttering: More Than The Name Implies
02/27/2025

Hidden Gems of Forest Lawn Museum
02/27/2025

LA River Walk
02/27/2025

Message from the President
02/27/2025

Phoenix Rising
02/27/2025

1619 Conversations with West African Art
02/25/2025

The Party Line
02/24/2025

Bluebird by Charles Bukowski
02/17/2025

Dreams by Langston Hughes
02/17/2025

Haiku - Four by Fritzie
02/17/2025

Haikus - Nine by Virginia
02/17/2025

Wind and Fire
02/17/2025

Partnerships Amplify Relief Efforts
02/07/2025

Another Community Giving Back
02/05/2025

Diary of Disaster Response
02/05/2025

Eaton Fire: A Community United in Loss and Recovery
02/05/2025

Healing Powers of Creative Energy
02/05/2025

Living the Mission
02/05/2025

Message from the President: Honoring Black History Month
02/05/2025

Surviving and Thriving: Elder Health Considerations After the Fires
02/05/2025

Treasure Hunting in The Ashes
02/05/2025

Villager's Stories
02/05/2025

A Beginning of Healing
02/03/2025

Hectic Evacuation From Eaton Canyon Fire
02/02/2025

Hurricanes and Fires are Different Monsters
02/02/2025

January 2025

Finding Joy in My Role on The Pasadena Village Board

By Michelle Chiu
Posted: 03/28/2025
Tags: board of directors, newsletter march 2025, michelle chiu

Growing up, my grandfather was a beacon of community service.  His tireless commitment to volunteer work wasn't a set of isolated actions but a lifestyle that demonstrated how one could intertwine personal purpose with communal betterment.  As I became an adult, I have followed in his footsteps and have participated in many volunteer work opportunities throughout my life.  The opportunity to serve on the Pasadena Village Board feels especially like a way to honor his memory and legacy.  

The opportunity to contribute to the mission of Pasadena Village with its emphasis on fostering a supportive environment where older adults can age gracefully and independently, surrounded by a network of peers and support is in alignment with my personal convictions and aspirations to create a lasting positive impact.  

On a personal level, the rewards are manifold. Besides the satisfaction of knowing I am part of a meaningful organization which makes a difference in many people’s life, the role provides continuous learning experiences. Each interaction and board meeting offers insights into leadership, strategic planning, and the importance of empathy in decision-making. Working alongside a diverse group of passionate individuals enriches my understanding and hones my ability to collaborate effectively. Moreover, one of the most profound rewards is witnessing firsthand the transformation and empowerment that can flourish within a supportive community, evident especially during the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fires. Being part of a process that positively impacts lives provides me a sense of fulfillment and purpose that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

Professionally, I've amassed skills and experiences that I believe can benefit the strategic direction and governance of Pasadena Village. As a board director, I can leverage my expertise in organizational management, strategic planning, and community outreach to help steer the village toward accomplishing its goals. It's rewarding to know that my professional abilities can contribute outside of my regular work environment, especially towards causes that improve the quality of life for others. I am very fortunate to work for a company that shares my belief in the importance of giving back to the community and actively supports volunteer work and sponsorship initiatives. It is incredibly fulfilling to be part of a workplace where corporate generosity and individual passion intersect, creating a ripple effect of positivity and change.

Ultimately, serving as a Board Director for the Pasadena Village is more than a duty—it's a privilege that offers both personal and communal benefits. The opportunity to give back, learn, and grow with the organization and its members is an invaluable experience, one that continues to nurture my commitment to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Pasadena Board of Directors meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 4:00pm, sometimes on Zoom and sometimes in person. The meeting is open for all to attend, so if you are interested in knowing more about how the Board operates and what we do, you are welcome to attend any upcoming Board meetings. Please feel free to reach out to Bridget Brewster or me with any questions regarding the Pasadena Village Board of Directors. Your questions will help inform future articles concerning the purpose, scope, operations and governance of your Board of Directors.

Blogs Topics Posts about this Topic