Becoming a Member

Connecting, Supporting, and Inspiring Older Adults

Carquinez Village is a nonprofit organization serving adults age 60+ living in Benicia and Vallejo. We strive to connect, support, and inspire older adults as they age in place. A fee-based membership association, Carquinez Village is a network of neighbors helping neighbors, offering programs, services, and referral information that can assist individuals to remain in their homes and, as much as possible, live full, active, and independent lives. Carquinez Village seeks to assist each member in aging with meaning, with peace of mind, with support and in community.  

Carquinez Village was started by older adults and is part of a “village movement” that has been sweeping the country. We are active members of both the Village Movement of California, and the Village to Village Network, a national association of over nearly 300 villages nationwide with 44 in California alone! Dozens of new villages are currently in process of forming across the country. Carquinez Village is a 501(c)3 (EIN: 47-4133336) charitable nonprofit organization.

Programs and Services to Meet Different Interests and Needs

Carquinez Village isn’t a place or building, a health care organization, or a social service agency. A new kind of organization, it specializes in providing a set of everyday support services that are critical to people’s lives, but often fall through the cracks, like rides to the doctor or help with errands. In addition, the Village offers a network of social connections and activities that change throughout the year. We even offer rides to the programs and events that we sponsor! Here’s an overview of our offerings.

Support Services

• Transportation to medical appointments and other activities
• Checks on household supplies
• Clothing care
• Errands, grocery shopping
• Friendly visits and phone calls
• Gardening help
• Assistance with phone calls, paying bills, and other correspondence
• Light housekeeping, light household repairs, and meal preparation
• Respite care
• Taking notes at medical appointments
• Technology support and personal business assistance
• Programs and Activities

We offer organized outings to theatres, museums, other cultural events, educational courses, films, and speakers on topics of interest. We also offer a range of social events, e.g., coffee hours, social hours, pot lucks, and a ride, if you need it, to any of our activities.

Referral Information

Soon, we will go live with our exclusive list of preferred and recommended safe service providers (plumbers, electricians, attorneys, accountants, etc.), some of whom give discounts to seniors as well as referrals to services available to seniors in Solano County.

Benefits Designed to Make a Difference in People’s Lives

Although older adults share a great deal in common, at Carquinez Village, we also appreciate that each person is unique. Some members join the Village because they need the supportive services that Carquinez Village provides. They want the peace of mind to know that they can pick up the phone and seek help. When challenges appear, they know they will be surrounded by a community of caring volunteers. On the other hand, some older adults join because they want to connect with others, take courses together, attend concerts or plays, and enjoy the benefits of a dynamic social network.

In addition, there are some financially-minded members who view the Village as a kind of insurance policy. They don’t need any services now, but they want the Village to be around when and if they do. Similarly, there are others who believe that the Village will enable them to remain in their homes for a time and avoid the high cost of an assisted living facility or nursing home.

For these reasons, Carquinez Village was formed to provide the following benefits:

• Services and activities that enable seniors to age in place, remain connected to others and the community and live independently in their homes.
• A stimulating community that inspires individuals to experience their senior years as ones of opportunity and possibility.
• Membership in a caring, dynamic and engaged community of seniors.
• A network of volunteers who provide assistance and a circle of caring support in times of need.
• A low-cost strategy that can save money, reduce isolation and increase peace of mind.

A Neighbor-to-Neighbor Network of Caring Volunteers

Carquinez Village is led by a part-time Executive Director, and a group of caring and committed volunteers who plan programs and activities and deliver our services. Each volunteer is carefully background checked and trained so that members can have peace of mind. They are community members of all ages and some are even Village members themselves!

Membership Eligibility and Cost

Membership is open to individuals who live in the Benicia area including Vallejo and are 60 years of age or older. There are two membership categories:

• Individual membership: $33 per month or $400 per year. That's only $1.10 per day!
• Household membership:  $50 per month for (2) people, or $400 for the primary member and $200 for each additional member of the household per year. (The primary member must be 60 years of age or older. Other household members may be younger if they are the spouse or partner of the primary member.) That's only $1.67 per day for (2) members! 

Note: Members can join at any time during the year. Scholarships applications for waiver of fees are available. To apply for a scholarship, please download, print and complete the form, and return the application by mail to:

Carquinez Village, 77 Solano Square #279, Benicia, CA 94510

Carquinez Village is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization. Membership dues are not tax deductable; however, donations to Carquinez Village can be deducted for tax purposes.

Application Process

Becoming a member is simple. It entails completing and submitting a Carquinez Village Membership Form and meeting with a Village representative, who will answer your questions and review the Village benefits, guidelines, and membership requirements. 

How to Get involved

We’re building a village one neighbor at a time, and we’re eager to tell you about it. Feel free to attend any of our public events to see what the village is all about by checking out our event calendar. You can also call (707) 297-2472 and request to speak to our Membership representative. We’ll meet with you in the community or, if you prefer, in your home. 

 

More questions? Email us at info@carquinezvillage.org or call (707) 297-2472.