Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission

Village Movement California partners with stakeholders interested in transforming the experience of aging across the state to strengthen impact, accelerate growth, and ensure sustainability of the Village Movement. Together, we advocate for innovative, community-based solutions to improve quality of life and expand choices at all stages of aging, empowering older adults to sustain independence through community and remain in charge of their lives as they age.

Vision

We envision a society where all stages of life offer meaningful opportunities for growth, connection, and joy; where people of all backgrounds and economic means can age with dignity, purpose, and self-determination.

Our Values

Be the Voice

Our members look to us to represent, amplify and advocate in every way possible. We know we are stronger together. It is no longer sufficient to be “small but mighty.” Together our voice will be loud and heard.

Lead the Way

Coalition members are looking for smart, innovative answers to tough challenges. We are the organization they can turn to for leading insights, resources and solutions. We also know that the shift we seek in the aging landscape cannot be achieved by a single organization alone, and we honor villages’ founding ideal of grassroots self-determination. We will evolve to meet changing needs and will embrace lessons learned from every effort.

Build for the Future

Just as villages have forged new pathways for aging in community, this statewide coalition knows that new, creative approaches will be required to make our villages and the Village Movement sustainable. The coalition will use forward thinking and practices that will ensure that villages continue to set the standard for future generations’ outlook and experience on aging.

Galvanize the Community

When we provide solutions to power villages’ sustainability and represent their interests, we inject renewed energy and vitality into the movement.

Seek Diverse Perspectives

Each coalition member is different from the next and reflects our diversity. We believe our movement is stronger when we include multiple generations and diverse communities in an inclusive, rich exchange of ideas. Aging is happening to every one of us, no matter what our generation, life circumstances or background.

Health Equity

VMC works to build Villages that directly address ageism, ableism, social isolation, and empower individuals to age with dignity. Community and self-determination are core to the ethos and mission of our work. By empowering seniors to lead, through their own voices and experiences, we are building a powerful web of volunteer leaders and advocates that identify gaps in services and design responsive programs that meet their unique community needs.