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Our Story

WLLO Village (pronounced "willow")
Serving West Linn, Lake Oswego and Stafford Hamlet

We are all aging. With that in mind, we are building a community of members and volunteers, where those who can, assist those who need help, and those who need help have a place to ask for it.

Our community is also a social place bringing people together, members and volunteers, enriching lives and creating new friendships.

How the Village Movement Got Started

In 1999, a group of friends in Beacon Hill, MA, gathered to create a plan to stay in their homes as long as possible, continue to engage in their neighborhood, and get the support they needed as they aged. They consulted with the Harvard School of Business and envisioned a new model - a virtual village - a network of people and services focused on helping them stay in their own homes. Their Village began offering services in 2002.

Immediately, others started contacting Beacon Hill Village to find out how to do this in their own local neighborhoods. Today, across the US, there are over 200 villages in operation with many more in development. The concepts of collaboration, cooperation and the mentoring of new villages are key drivers in the creation and support of new villages. One thing that is consistent across villages is the motto: Neighbors helping neighbors stay neighbors.

The Movement Migrated West

A group of volunteers decided that it was time to bring the nationally recognized “Village Movement” to the Portland Metro Area, and Villages NW was started. Known as the “Hub and Spoke” model, Villages NW became the Hub and 501(c)3, providing guidance, support and resources for various “Spokes” or “Villages” to develop and operate in 11 neighborhoods in 4 counties, and we continue to grow.

The Development of WLLO Village

In 2017 WLLO Village began to emerge organically through the dedication of many volunteers with shared enthusiasm for the village concept serving West Linn, Lake Oswego and Stafford Hamlet. After two years of development we opened in June 2019. WLLO Village supports those who choose to age in their own homes and communities by building a network of vetted and trained volunteers, local resources, and vetted vendors that provide a range of services, including transportation, household chores, errands, computer and technology support, companionship, social activities and more. We are currently a community of over 80 members and volunteers.

WLLO Village Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision

Our vision is to continuously support and create better ways to age in community.

Our Mission

Our mission is to support people who choose to age in their own homes and communities by creating a network of trained volunteers, offering social events, and providing access to local resources and vetted service providers to help our members feel comfortable, supported and socially connected.

Our Three Core Values

Connecting

By creating a virtual village, our goal is to strengthen connections between our members, volunteers and the community.

At WLLO Village, we encourage collaboration on ideas and projects, foster open communication in an environment of care, commitment and continuous learning.

Giving

We are committed to giving back to members of our community who need help as well as creating an organization that will endure. Volunteers are at the heart of our organization. This is why our motto is Neighbors Helping Neighbors Stay Neighbors.

Interdependence

We can all learn from each other, lean on one another and enhance the experience of aging in our community. Relationships that are built on trust, respect and transparency support resilience and health and are at the heart of what is sustaining WLLO Village.

WLLO Village Service Area

Our service area is defined in the West by Interstate 5 and in the East by the Willamette river. The Southern border is the Tualatin river. The northern border is Multnomah County. (Those living in Lake Oswego and Multnomah County may choose to join River West Village or WLLO Village.)