May 7, 2026
May 2026: Village News & CA Conference Announcement!
Dear Village Movement California Community,
It has been a busy and deeply rewarding time for Village Movement California (VMC), and I am glad to have the chance to share some of it with you. From national conference stages to promising new conversations about housing and care to our own statewide gathering on the horizon, the work of this movement feels more visible, more relevant, and more urgently needed than ever. I am grateful every day for the villages, the leaders, the volunteers, and the supporters who make all of it possible.
It was a privilege to represent Village Movement California at this year’s American Society on Aging conference, “On Aging 2026: The Power of Belonging,” held in Atlanta, Georgia. I was joined by Kate Hoepke, VMC founder and Board Chair, and together we experienced a conference that was energizing from start to finish. The enthusiasm we encountered for the Village Model was deeply encouraging. Conversations about villages were happening everywhere, from session rooms to hallways and beyond, and it was clear that our work resonates with aging services leaders, researchers, policymakers, and community builders from across the country.
VMC had a strong presence at this year’s conference, beginning with our poster presentation, “Villages: Communities of Care and Belonging.” The poster invited attendees to explore villages as intentional communities of care and belonging for older adults, examining the power of reciprocal connection, meaningful contribution, and community building strategies. It also introduced our Village Incubator program as a proven pathway for groups interested in developing new village initiatives in their own communities. The poster generated wonderful conversations and gave us the opportunity to connect with individuals who were curious about how they might bring the Village Model to their own regions.
I also had the honor of serving as a panelist in a session titled “The Power of Community: Equitable Approaches in Un-Equitable Times,” sponsored by ASA’s Equity and Justice Advisory Council. The session brought together leaders from community, health, housing, and policy to explore how equitable approaches to aging are being piloted, sustained, and scaled, even in the face of significant resource constraints and systemic challenges. I was joined by Dr. Angie Perone and Dr. Jeff Lennox, and together we shared strategies, lessons learned, and actionable practices that participants could carry back to their own organizations and communities. The discussion was rich and the room was full, which speaks to how urgently this conversation is needed right now.
The momentum from Atlanta continues. On Thursday, May 21, I will be presenting at the LeadingAge California BOLD Conference in Palm Desert, CA in a session titled “Bridging Homesharing and Village Models.” This session, co-presented with Dr. Angie Perone and Lucie Ashley, will explore the promising intersection of homesharing and village models as complementary strategies for addressing housing and care needs among older adults. We will provide an overview of both models in California, share initial research findings, and examine case studies of villages that have successfully integrated shared housing and community caregiving. It is a conversation that feels especially timely, and we look forward to the interactive discussion it will generate among participants.
Looking further ahead, we hope you will save the dates of September 17 and 18, 2026 for VMC’s 8th Annual Statewide Conference at the beautiful Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia. This year’s gathering will be centered on the theme of Resiliency, honoring the strength and enduring spirit of the village movement across California. Early bird tickets are on sale now at villagemovementcalifornia.org/conference2026, and we would love to see you there. More conference details will be shared in a few weeks.
I left Atlanta inspired and energized, and that energy is carrying us forward into a season full of meaningful engagement. The connections made, the ideas exchanged, and the recognition of villages as a powerful and replicable model for social care all affirm the importance of the work we do together every day. We are grateful to be part of a national movement that is growing, and we look forward to continuing to bring what we learn back to the villages and communities we serve across California.
With warm regards,
Carolyn Ross
Executive Director
READ FULL NEWSLETTER AT: https://mailchi.mp/e68f28a68d18/ca-village-update-for-fall-12894777
