TOWNSHEND-The board of directors of Valley Cares, a housing nonprofit, voted in April to adopt a new name - Valley Village - with the tagline "Care. Compassion. Community."
Since 2007, the organization has provided affordable assisted living and independent living for seniors.
As described by a news release, "the community is unique in combining a model of subsidized affordable housing with a continuum of supportive health care services to help people age in place with others."
The decision to change the organization's name resulted from a strategic planning process they engaged in, with the help of local consultant ReGeneration Resources.
In the years leading up to that, the assisted living housing had experienced a high vacancy rate, which significantly impacted the organization's financial stability.
"We received a lack of appropriate applicants for our assisted living," said Executive Director JoAnne Blanchard.
She explained that they were receiving applications from people who were more appropriate for memory care facilities or skilled nursing facilities, or applicants who lacked the resources to pay for assisted living services and did not yet have appropriate Medicaid coverage.
"We also found that some people did not know we provided assisted living and independent living for seniors, but instead believed we were like other Cares groups in the area."
Then, Blanchard added, "based on our name, before she was hired, one of our staff members thought we were a landscaping company."
"This new name underscores our commitment to providing housing, exceptional care, and a strong sense of community," she said.
She noted how the logo is made of a quilt, symbolizing the many and varied pieces that can combine to create a whole without any of the pieces losing their distinct characteristics.
"This is our community," she said. "Valley Village."
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.