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OUR MISSION: Connecting Neighbors for Friendship and Well-being in Life's Third Act

How do we do that? Read about some of the ways our members and volunteers connected in 2019.

 

HOW OUR VILLAGE GOT STARTED

Eastside Neighbors Network (ENN) had its start in June, 2015, with six retired and semi-retired TELOS students who were inspired by a TELOS class on aging titled, Being Mortal: What Matters in the End. The class was taught by Ellen Berg, a member of the Wider Horizons Village in Seattle, whose passion for her village was enough to inspire the launch of ENN three years later.


Since then, we have been learning about villages in other communities and how they run, and exploring the interests, needs, and talents of older residents in our area. We have been offering public programs to bring residents together around common interests, building relationships within our city government and professional and community organizations, and developing our organizational structure and processes. Our Pilot Program, launched in June 2018, tested every aspect of our Member Services and Volunteer Matching system. Over 30 Pilot Members and Volunteers stepped up to organize and participate in our programs. Throughout the Pilot Program, Board Members encouraged all participants to get involved and give us feedback to help us refine and prepare for the transition to a fully functioning Village in January of 2019.

Our village "went live" in January of 2019. In December, we celebrated our 30-odd members and 20-odd volunteers at a Recogntion and Appreciation program at The Gardens at Town Square. Below, a warm-up exercise led by our Meditation Group leader, Perlas Sapida.

 

Members, Volunteers, & Guests warm up to celebrate

 
Until the COVID-19 crisis intervened, we hosted a monthly drop-in social we call "Coffee and Conversation," at the Tutta Bella in Crossroads. Since March of 2020, we have been hosting weekly "Virtual Happy Hours" with varied topics and participants. Visit our Events Calendar for information on this weekly program and other programs of interest to our members, volunteers, and friends.
 
Joanne Gainen,  one of the original founders, returned to the position of Board President on January 1, 2019. Three original Board Members and three who joined after the first year are shown below, welcoming a guest at the 1st Annual Recognition and Appreciation Tea, held in December of 2018. 

 

Board members welcome Pilot members & volunteers for 2018 Recognition Tea


We welcome leaders and volunteers with a passion for building community and working with older adults to help us build a stellar organization.  Discover how you can get involved.

Questions? Visit our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page, browse our web site, and complete our volunteer and/or member interest form. You may also complete our Contact form, or call our office to talk with someone directly.

View our Calendar and join us for our next program to meet our community and learn more. 

Discover what other villages are doing and find articles, videos, and local resources for older adults here.

We look forward to meeting you!

 

Online: MyENN.org        Email: [email protected]         Phone: (425) 270-8408

Eastside Neighbors Network is an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit (EIN #81-3081454) organized to serve the residents of Bellevue, WA.

Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.