Longtime friends Jane Brooks and Joyce Burd decided to combine their skills, Jane as a writer and Joyce as an arts administrator, to bring ballroom dancing to 5th grade classrooms in Philadelphia.
The "village" concept is a growing movement among older adults determined to stay in their homes. The idea of "aging in place" is not new, but what the 65 active villages offer are the perks that residents of retirement and assisted-living communities receive primarily from volunteers. Rides to the doctor or grocery store, someone to do repairs, personal care, and more. The downsides include keeping them financially viable and serving those outside cities. Philadelphia's villages are: Penn's Village (pennsvillage.org) in Center City and East Falls Village (215-438-7479). They'd be happy to share what it takes to be a "village!"
