SCAM ALERT:  You may receive a call whose caller ID says Pepco saying that you service is going to be disconnected.  They may know a lot of information about you.  They may say that though your account shows as paid, but there is a deeper issue in their system.  The only way to stop the disconnection is to pay them via some sort of express cash card, while they would investigate the issue.  They will offer to refund you and offer 30 days free service.  They come across as pretty convincing and persistent, even calling back if you get disconnected.  This is a scam.  Pepco is aware of it.

CHV’s Advocacy Corps met on Feb. 8th to preview research conducted by Advocacy Corps members, namely Mary Procter. CHV is presenting at hte Washington Area Village Exchange meeting in late February. Here is the Presentation. For those who saw the presentation and want to provide feed back, they should email mprocter@olg.com.

The presentation and subsequent discussion highlighted the urgency of action needed around increasing housing and care options for all of DC Mary Procter, Fran Hoffman, Elizabeth Cabot Nash, Susan Sedgewick and others have spent the last six months researching demographic data, the range of supportive housing options, workforce needs and costs of it all.  Their research has shined a light on a number of intersecting issues which, if not addressed, will prove prohibitive in terms of cost, work force and housing availability.

A key element of CHV’s advocacy program is to research housing for later stages of aging in and replicable models.  This presentation is based on preliminary research, although more is needed to make concrete assessments of needs, impediments and incentives to make a compelling argument to expand options. Topics to be covered include:

• “Aging in Community” –the options, economic realities, some important areas needing CHV advocacy.
• The projected Home Health Care Aide shortfall and steps needed to get policy makers attention on this critical issue.

Opportunities for You to Become Engaged – if not CHV, then who?

The team is seeking partners to:

• Research living options and share them with the community.
• Understanding existing policies and options and compare with national models
• Attend and speak at community meetings
• Attend City Council hearings; Senior Advisory Coalition Advocacy Day at the City Council
• And bring your own ideas to the table to address the need for affordable supportive housing for seniors.

If you are interested in participating, please email Susan Sedgewick at jssedgewick@gmail.com. Please be specific in the type of information you want, the sort of contributions you can make, or if you simply want to be added to the mailing list for updates.

In the February 2019 CHV Gala: 

• Fly Me to the Moon! 10, 9, 8, …  The countdown for the 2019 CHV Gala has begun! (page 1) Click here to reserve your spot online.
• CHV Advocacy Team Research Shows Housing Challenges for Seniors (page 1)
• News CHV Care Services Policy goes into Effect April 1 (page 8)
• Art, History, Environment Fill Spring Travel Club Schedule (page 12)
• And much More!

Click here to read more in the February 2019 CHV News!

Capitol Hill Village was told recently that it will receive two new grants for educational and wellness programs. Both grants will enable CHV staff to promote programs and services by paying for staff time, outreach, activities, and educational programs. The first grant is $2,000 from Maximus Foundation and the second is from Impact 1890, A National Lutheran Program, for $7,500.

Capitol Hill Village is also receiving $23,500 from the DC Office on Aging to support its volunteer services. Thanks are also in order to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, which underwrote part of the costs for Capitol Hill Village’s new website as well as the educational and wellness programs over the course of the spring and summer. And this Fall, CHV is receiving a $2,500 grant to underwrite its volunteer outreach, recruitment, training, and related programs, particularly around the Arthur Capper Senior Apartments response.

As the new year rolls around, you might be wondering “what should I do for my New Year’s resolution?” Well, Capitol Hill Village has a great suggestion—GYPIO.

Get Your Papers in Order is a CHV initiative to help members prepare and gather important information, documents, and tools that could be helpful for loved ones/first responders if the member needs assistance.

You can learn more by attending the 2019 kick-off presentation from 3:00–4:30 p.m. at the Northeast Neighborhood Library, 330 Seventh St. NE on Jan. 31

Last Spring, 150 CHV members responded to a survey seeking to learn more about who CHV members are, the extent to which they are able to get around in the community, and levels of participation in and satisfaction with the Capitol Hill Village.

The survey was funded with support from Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, District Department of Transportation Vision Zero program, Deerbrook Charitable Trust, and the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. The findings represent the experiences of survey respondents and may not represent the experiences of all CHV members.

See the December CHV News for a summary of what we learned from the survey. The complete survey results are available here:

CHV Transportation Survey Report MS

CHV Transportation Survey Report_Appendices A through E

CHV Presents Original Research on the Dearth of Housing 

The urgency of action around increasing housing and care options for all of DC has been made clear by research of a cohort of Capitol Hill Village Community Members.  Mary Procter, Fran Hoffman, Elizabeth Cabot Nash and others have spent the last six months researching demographic data, the range of supportive housing options, workforce needs and costs of it all.  Their research has shined a light on a number of intersecting issues which, if not addressed, will prove prohibitive in terms of cost, work force and housing availability.

The team will be sharing its findings at a community meeting on February 8^th from 10 am-Noon at NE Public Library 330 7^th St NE.  The event is open to the public but you need to reserve a seat.

A key element of CHV’s advocacy program is to research housing for later stages of aging in and replicable models.  This presentation is based on preliminary research, although more is needed to make concrete assessments of needs, impediments and incentives to make a compelling argument to expand options. Topics to be covered include:

• “Aging in Community” –the options, economic realities, some important areas needing CHV advocacy.
• The projected Home Health Care Aide shortfall and steps needed to get policy makers attention on this critical issue.

Opportunities for You to Become Engaged – if not CHV, then who?

The team is seeking partners to:

• Research living options and share them with the community.
• Understanding existing policies and options and compare with national models
• Attend and speak at community meetings
• Attend City Council hearings; Senior Advisory Coalition Advocacy Day at the City Council
• And bring your own ideas to the table to address the need for affordable supportive housing for seniors.

The event is free and open to the public, but attendees must register ahead of time by emailing info@capitolhillvillage.org or calling (202) 543 1778.

CHV Board has been working with its committees and members to draft a new strategic plan.  The process has been long and comprehensive, having garnered feedback at the townhall meeting last spring, from over 20 one-on-one interviews, and from a series of small group meetings.  Thanks to everyone who has participated.  Thanks also to board members Candace Robinson and Rick Rutherford, both organizational management experts, for guiding us through the process, ensuring expedience, thoroughness, and the ability to hear the many voices of CHV.

This process is always tricky because it inspires brainstorming and perfect world scenarios, which we strive for.  But that thinking is also balanced by budgetary realities and facing some unknowns such as the health and wellbeing of members.  Nevertheless, we are lucky to have had strong previous strategic plans and our findings are largely a continuation of those.  The board is still working some language and sharing their opinions about the elements, but we also want to hear from you.

Now it is Your Turn – Tell Us What you Think!

Below are the DRAFT Mission, Vision, and Strategic Pillars of our work to be a part of our planning and activities for the next three to five years  – let me know  your thoughts.  Please email me at president@capitolhillvillage.org to share your feedback or speak with any board member or with Molly, the executive Director.

Mission:  To sustain and enrich the lives of members and the community of Capitol Hill residents for the long term

Vision:

Option I: We envision a neighborhood-based organization that reaches out and convenes neighbors to build a vibrant, inclusive and age friendly community that empowers everyone to thrive and live meaningful, purposeful lives.

Option II: Make Capitol Hill the greatest place on earth to live a long life with services, recreation, and community members that provide value, fun and engagement.

Option III: TBD – some combination or rewrite of the first two options

Strategic Pillars

These strategic pillars provide the framework and values for the realization of our mission and vision.

COMMUNITY

Capitol Hill Village convenes a supportive, accepting community that embraces diversity and provides mutual aid to enrich and sustain the lives of both members and volunteers.

SERVICE

Capitol Hill Village connects members to high-quality, high-value, and effective services that meet their needs with trained volunteers, professional staff, vetted vendors, and public and private partnerships.

ADVOCACY

Capitol Hill Village advocates for its members to government, private sector, community and social service entities to ensure access and availability of high quality healthcare, wellness and prevention activities, legal advice, reliable vendor services, and development of a safe, people-friendly community.

LONGEVITY

Capitol Hill Village establishes and governs sustainable policies, strategic direction and fiscal diligence to ensure a firm financial, leadership succession and sustainable organizational foundation for the delivery of its mission.

The CHV board is thrilled to welcome Elizabeth Cabot Nash to the board.  Elizabeth has been an active in-office volunteer. She I also working as a volunteer, helping to advance the organizations advocacy initiatives on issues such as long-term care, housing, and care giver workforce needs in the District of Columbia.

Send your comments and ideas to Phil Guire, Board President at: president@capitolhillvillage.org

Capitol Hill Village’s Fundraising Campaign to launch the organization into a successful second decade has over 90% of its goal reached! The campaign is supporting the expansion of our resources, continued development of best practices, build out of a new office space, and building the CHV endowment.  Thanks to the many community members helping us get there! Learn more about the Passport to our Future.