Foggy Bottom West End Village Update
November 2017
Village Phone: 202.333.1327
Executive Director: Leigh Sempeles
Village Wins DCOA Grant to Combat Social Isolation
Executive Director
A new $71,000 grant from the D.C. Office on Aging will allow Foggy Bottom West End Village to continue its work on social isolation by developing an innovative online video education library for seniors on health and wellness topics.

The Village won the grant as part of the DCOA’s 2018 Senior Village competitive grant process, and it puts FBWE Village on the forefront of social engagement research in the District.

FBWE Village will use online technology to make the health and wellness video library accessible to all Villages in the country, as well as to other groups working with seniors. Most notably our project will serve as a training and resource tool in overcoming obstacles to social interaction among the elderly.

As part of the grant, FBWE Village will also participate in a pilot project to test a device that allows elderly individuals to virtually attend interactive, video-based classes. The goal is to provide seniors with face-to-face connection with peers, creating new social networks and building an online community of support.

Called a “Virtual Senior Center,” this concept was developed by Selfhelp, a nonprofit organization also funded by the DCOA. Five members of Foggy Bottom West End Village will be testing an “all-in-one” touch screen device that Selfhelp created to simplify the way seniors access its online classes.

The exact amount of the 2018 DCOA grant award is $71,071 and will allow FBWE Village to continue our efforts to provide high-quality services and a sustainable program to further address social engagement. If you would be interested in helping to fund our ongoing social isolation research, please consider giving to our Annual Appeal by clicking here .

--Leigh Sempeles, Executive Director
Village Seeks Additional Reduced-Fee Members
Beverly Gyllenhaal
Foggy Bottom West End Village has funding for as many as 15 new reduced-fee members, and applications are currently being accepted. The application process is completely confidential.

The Village offers reduced-fee memberships to men and women with limited income who live in the Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2A boundaries.

Reduced-fee members meet federal low-income HUD guidelines for the District of Columbia. The top income is $52,550 for an individual and $60,050 for a family of two. Whether or not an applicant owns their home is not taken into consideration.

The annual co-pay for these memberships is $100 for an individual or $150 per household.

To see the complete criteria for Village membership, click here .

Since our inception, the Village Board has made raising funds for subsidized memberships a top priority. The funding comes from grants and generous contributions from individuals in the neighborhood.

Village membership offers support services from our volunteers, such as transportation to medical appointments, help with errands, household tasks and technology. In addition, the Village offers more than 230 programs each year, including exercise classes, educational programs, affinity groups and social and cultural outings.

If you or someone you know would like to apply for reduced-fee membership, please contact me at bevvillage@gmail.com . I look forward to hearing from you.

--Beverly Gyllenhaal, Village Membership Chair
You Can Sample Village Programs
We invite prospective members to attend a program to get the feel for Village life.

To find out about upcoming programs, see the Event Calendar on our website by clicking here .

And if you'd like to attend a program, please call the Village office at 202-333-1327 to make a reservation.
Upcoming Program to Sample:

Who Cares? Exploring Simple Ways To Practice the Art of Caring

Tuesday, December 5, from 2:30 to 3:30 pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2430 K St. NW

All of us at certain times are faced with someone in difficult circumstances, whether it’s family members, friends or colleagues. So often we feel unsure about our response. What to say? What to do and how? What is enough? Too much? Too little?

The basics of caring for others, including ways to easily incorporate the art of caring into daily life, will be addressed by Marcy Heidish, author of the book “Who Cares? Simple Ways You Can Reach Out.”

Marcy is the author of numerous novels as well as books of nonfiction and poetry. She has taught creative writing at Georgetown University, The George Washington University, Fordham and Howard University. Marcy has practiced the art of caring in her community service work at shelters for homeless women, a crisis hotline, and as a hospice and hospital volunteer. Marcy is a Village member and lives in Foggy Bottom.
 
Those interested in exploring Village membership are invited to this program. There is no charge, but registration is required by calling the Village office.
December Salon tickets still on sale
MARCOS GALVANY is a Spanish-born composer and conductor whose work has been performed at Carnegie Hall. On SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 from 5 to 7 pm , he will play excerpts from his works, including opera and ballet stores that have been performed at Carnegie Hall and the
Baryshnikov Arts Center. 

Enjoy an evening of special music and learn more about how art is inspired. The salon will be held in Galvany's home in Watergate East.

Cost: Each ticket is $85, with $70 of that being eligible as a charitable contribution to the Village for tax purposes. Purchase your Salon tickets  by clicking here . Exact information on how to attend will be emailed once your ticket is purchased.

Questions? Please contact leahwsch@gmail.com
2017 Year-End Funding Appeal Has New Focus

 
Your continued generous support of Foggy Bottom West End Village's mission to help seniors comfortably age and remain active in the community is greatly appreciated.
  
In prior years, we have asked the community to support our efforts to subsidize reduced-fee memberships. Thanks to you, our financial goal has been met. (See the article above from our Membership Chair.)

For this year's Annual Appeal, we are requesting your help with two specific items that contribute greatly to our members’ quality of life: 

  • Rent for our Village “home” including space for senior social, educational, cultural, and health/wellness programs. 
  • Funding to continue FBWE Village's research efforts on ways to reduce social isolation and loneliness. (See the above article from our Executive Director.)

The Village opened in 2013 and now has 145 members with more than 60 volunteers. We are a self-supporting nonprofit organization receiving limited funding from the District of Columbia and no federal funds. Membership fees cover only 40 percent of operating costs. Your tax-deductible gift is critical. 
Foggy Bottom West End Village
2430 K Street NW
202.333.1327