Easthampton Neighbors is
an “aging in place" community located in Easthampton in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. We are a non-profit, 501(c)(3) that matches local volunteers with senior members to provide that are not available through other support organizations.
The Village Movement began over seventeen years ago with the formation of the Beacon Hill Village in Boston. The Beacon Hill model has inspired the development of over 300 Villages across the country, including several in western Massachusetts. The Easthampton Neighbors Village was formed to provide some of the services that enable Easthampton seniors to stay in their homes as they age.
A small group of interested residents of Easthampton began discussions about starting a Village in Easthampton in the fall of 2018. The steering committee for Easthampton Neighbors was formed in the spring of 2019, and we joined the Village-to-Village Network. In the summer of 2019, Easthampton Neighbors formed a founding Board of Directors, developed a mission statement and bylaws, and received official non-profit status. Unlike many other Villages in the network, Easthampton Neighbors decided upon a "no fee" policy. Instead, we rely on donations from our members, and support from local businesses.
In the fall of 2019 we added new Board members, established relationships with several strategic partners, and wrote several grant proposals. In early 2020 we initiated a major fundraising campaign and a recruitment effort for members and volunteers. When COVID emerged as a community health threat, we modified our services in accordance with CDC regulations. We have continued to operate throughout the pandemic, providing essential services to vulnerable seniors at a particularly difficult time.
We look forward to further easing of COVID restrictions in the future so that we can increase our membership, expand our services, and provide additional opportunities for social connections among our members.