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The village would then provide approved contractors and facilitate contact with youth volunteers or neighbors willing to help. Thereby, seniors and retirees could stay in a community, rather than have to move to a nursing home or assisted living facility.
Fawcett met with Rochelle Bernhold, a member of Fairfield’s Dogwood Village Steering Committee. Bernhold said the process to incorporate and file for nonprofit status is underway.
“we are meeting weekly and are focused on developing the vision and mission statement of Dogwood Village,” Bernhold said. “We are working towards the goal of developing relevant helpful programs to serve Fairfield seniors.”
In May, about 50 people, including Fawcett, gathered at the Fairfield Senior Center and talked about the village concept. It has been a success in Boston’s Beacon Hill and the Washington, D.C., area. Fawcett said she learned some ways to help make it work in Fairfield.
“My own father has had health problems and lives in another state, so I know how difficult it can be to help an aging parent from afar,” Fawcett said. “Having a support system for seniors like this in place could help avoid the expense of retirement communities while providing peace of mind for their families, who may live hours away.”
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