Community Village Lawrence helps seniors stay in their homes

Gini Shoulberg, 73, has lived in her Lawrence home for more than 40 years, and though she’s now living alone, it’s where she’d like to stay.

“I love the neighborhood and walking around and talking to my neighbors,” Shoulberg said. “I don’t want to leave.”

As a member of Community Village Lawrence, Shoulberg is getting some of the help she needs to make staying in her home easier. The mission of the recently initiated nonprofit organization involves helping people age in their homes, rather than having to leave to go to assisted living facilities.

CVL hosted a “town hall” event Saturday morning at the Lawrence Public Library to give an overview of its services and to launch its transportation program. The meeting offered people who need help with transportation an opportunity to apply for a pilot version of the ride program.

CVL currently has around 40 volunteers, about 15 of whom will be drivers in the transportation program, said Ellen Paulsen, vice chairman of CVL. Paulsen said the pilot version will help test the new software that’s used to coordinate the program and work out any bugs in the process.

“We want to make sure we have a seamless program, where we get feedback from both parties,” she said.

The pilot transportation program will provide free rides for 20 registered users for two months as the program assesses the needs of the community. One of the needs organizers hope to address is providing a means of transport for people who want to get to church. While many churches have transportation services, not all do, or the services are limited in scope, Paulsen said.

“We’re hoping to fill that gap,” she explained, noting that participants can get rides to wherever they would like, such as the grocery store or medical appointments.

The transportation program is just one of several services CVL will be providing. Other services include a fire and home safety program and a telephone reassurance program. As part of the telephone program, members get a call everyday to make sure they are healthy, but it also provides a social opportunity, Paulsen said, “to give members a chance to talk to someone about what’s going on it their life,” she explained.

Shoulberg, who has been living alone for two years and is a participant in the telephone program, said her family is grateful for the daily calls.

“My children absolutely love the idea that someone is checking on me everyday,” she said.

But for Shoulberg, one of the most useful aspects of CVL is the help with small household tasks, such as hauling heavy articles to the curb or changing a lightbulb that requires use of a ladder.

“There are just all kinds of little things,” she said.

The CVL initiated free services to pilot its programs beginning last year, and plans to launch the full program this year. CVL continues to seek volunteers, members and donors, and is also working with other local organizations serving seniors. While the price of membership in CVL is still being determined, it will be less than $50 per month, and there likely will be scholarships available, Paulsen said.

The program also will host social events for members, such as guest speakers, said Mary Johnson, the corporate secretary of CVL and a member of its outreach committee.

“Building the sense of community is important,” Johnson said.

Johnson thinks many people don’t want to leave their homes and such services can benefit them — it’s just a matter of getting the word out.

“Once people hear about this program, I think it’s really going to take off,” she said.

CVL is part of the national Village to Village network, which helps communities establish and manage their own Villages. For more information on CVL, or for those interested in being a volunteer or a member, call 505-0187 or visit the program’s website.