A brief history of our Village:
The Cleveland Westside Village began in 2013 out of discussions of neighbors who are either retired or approaching retirement about what we need to allow us to live, thrive, and contribute to our community as we grow older. At the beginning the group consisted of people who lived in the Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway, and Cudell neighborhoods and Lakewood. We studied this issue through reading, small group discussions, consulting with people in other communities, and attending national Village to Village network meetings.
We decided that an all volunteer “Village model” would be our approach to addressing the issues that face us as we grow older here. This Village model promotes the values of mutual support among neighbors, awareness of our interdependence, and a sense that all people have gifts to share.
Timeline of CWV development
2014 Obtained non-profit status from IRS
2016 Ethnic dining begins
Book group begins
Joined Village to Village network (VtV)
Three members attended national VtV network meeting in Columbus, OH
Received Organizer's and Allies grant
Applied for Neighborhood Connections grant
2017
Received Neighborhood Connections grant
Obtained liability and board insurance
Purchased Helpful Village software for website creation
Began providing services to each other in a limited way
Applied for a second year of funding from Neighborhood Connections
2018
Fully implemented online service matching program
Held 3 educational sessions for community
Completed village brochure
Obtained Neighborhood Connections grant to begin membership campaign in 2019
2019
Held first sponsored membership event at Superelectric pinball parlor
Today we are a 40 member all volunteer organization striving to develop our vision of a mutual aid society dedicated to helping each other live well and joyfully within our community.
If these are ideas you share, join us at one of our events and contribute to our development!
Village brochure can be accessed here.