7/29/2019 Stylefinder - WEW Fall 2013

1/1

Page 6 | West End Word September 27 - October 10, 2013

by Jaime Mowers

Gloria Gordon, a psychologist who has spent mostof her life as a social activist, is at the forefront ofa movement stirring in the Central West End andsurrounding neighborhoods.

The 90-year-old Lindell Terrace resident, whodescribes herself as a maverick psychologist, has away of blending her work with social change.

The things I have chosen to be interested in areconnected to social movements, said Gordon, whosemost recent interest surrounds ageism stereotypingand discriminating against individuals or groupsbecause of their age.

Gordon is heading a grassroots movement calledSTL Village that aims to enhance the quality of lifeof people age 50 and older who want to continueliving at home and being active in their communitiesrather than moving to an age-segregated facility.

The STL Village is part of a national socialmovement of people baby boomers and people likeme who are the parents of baby boomers who arestepping up to the plate because we want to havecontrol over our lives, Gordon said.

Villages are community-based membershiporganizations that offer a network of resources,services, programs and activities that revolve arounddaily living needs. They are supported through acombination of small, paid staff and volunteerswho coordinate and maintain services on behalf ofmembers. Trained volunteers and trusted, discountedservice providers are keys to the village model.

These villages are popping up around the country,and Gordon and a group of dedicated volunteers arestarting one in the Central West End and surroundingarea. STL Village will be the rst of its kind in St.

Louis when it ofcially launches in 2014. The not-for-prot, member-driven community network will

allow individuals to age in their own homes with24/7 access to a full range of activities and support

services for safe and socially connected living.Arthur Culbert, 62, chair of the STL Village

Exploratory Committee thats behind the formationof the village, said the movement is addressing thefact that a majority of retired adults want to stayin their homes instead of moving to an assisted orcommunity living facility.

As a nation, we have a huge problem there are10,000 people retiring every day and 90 percent of

those people are not wanting to leave their homes,Culbert said, adding there arent enough long-termcare facilities to accommodate them and those thatcan are expensive. The village serves two purposes:

What activities do you need in your daily life to keepyou engaged, and what do you need help with thatwill allow you to stay in your home? We (the village)will provide that for you. Its very exciting.

Gordon stressed the village movements importancein helping people cope with the difculties of aging

while allowing them to remain at home.Thats the whole idea you stay where youre

at and become part of a network of people within acertain footprint, Gordon explained.

The STL Village footprint includes parts ofsix wards and the Central West End, Academy,DeBaliviere Place, Fountain Park, Lewis Place,Skinker DeBaliviere, Vandeventer, Visitation Parkand West End neighborhoods. Its bordered by thecity limits west of Skinker Boulevard, Clayton

Avenue, Vandeventer Avenue and Page Boulevard.That gives us a bunch of different neighborhoods,

which will give us a lot of diversity, she said.Members who live within the village receive help

with everything from chores around the house andgrocery shopping to medical care and transportationneeds.

It creates an enormous group of volunteers whocan do many things, such as cutting grass, givingpeople a ride to the doctor or showing them how touse their new cell phone, Gordon said. Whateveryou need, all you have to do is call the conciergeservice and theyll get you with the right person.

Most villages rely heavily on member-to-membervolunteer support, but each village also has a listof service providers, such as plumbers and otherprofessionals, many of which give village members a

discount on services.

The village also works to provide socialopportunities for its members and encourages themto participate in community events. Whether its achess club, cooking classes, playing cards or dancing,there will be a group for it, Gordon said.

Villages get their revenue from a combination ofmember fees, donations, grants and local sponsors.The goal is to keep member fees to a minimum, asthe village model aims to be a low-cost residentenvironment rather than an expensive institutionalsetting.

Preliminary estimates put the STL Village mem-bership fees at roughly $600 a year for individuals

and about $850 a year for a couple or household. TheGloria Gordon Membership Fund, which the STL

Village Exploratory Committee created to honorGordons contribution to starting the vil lage, will beused to help subsidize memberships for seniors whocould benet from village services, but cannot afford

the fees.Gordon, who spent many years working as a

counselor and an adjunct professor at Saint LouisUniversity, has put most of her energy during thepast few years into getting the STL Village off theground, but shes also involved in several otherorganizations. She helped start a support groupfor divorced women, is a member of Psychologistsfor Social Responsibility, a leader for the EldersListening Group, a member of Central ReformCongregation and more.

She enjoys it most when her psychology backgroundand social activism collide.

Im a psychologist, but I have a history of beinga social activist, Gordon said. On one side I am apsychologist and on the other I am pushing for socialchange. My role here in starting this village is anexample of the combination of those two roles.

STL Village Seeks Volunteers

Although STL Village has been in the works for afew years, theres much to be done before its ofcial

launch next year.Right now were in a

major outreach stage,Gordon said. Were reachingout throughout our footprint,inviting people in and seekingvolunteers.

Anyone who is interestedin volunteering, providingservices, attending meetings,making a donation, servingin a leadership role or becoming a member of thevillage should call 802-0275, email info@stlvillage.

org or visit www.stlvillage.org.Once the STL Village is up and running, Gordon

hopes it will serve as a model for other villages inthe area.

This movement is a continuation of othermovements, Gordon said. In my lifetime, theresbeen the Civil Rights movement, the womens rightsmovement and the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual andTransgender) movement. This is truly a movement

and Im very excited about it.

fashion around town

FloralStatement Coat

Gorgeous cut, color

and printto dress

up or down!

Leopard $105

NecklaceAgate Slice, Freshwater

pearl drop, oval sapphire.

By in-house metalsmith

Roger Rimel.

James Durbin Jewelery $950

Striped SweaterBeautiful colors make this

cozy shawl-collar sweater

a must-have for Fall.

Ginger & Mary Ann $176

STL Village MovementCWE resident Gloria Gordon spearheads

grassroots aging-in-place effort in St. Louis

Lindell Terrace resident Gloria Gordon is a force

behind STL Village, a not-for-prot endeavor to helppeople remain in their homes as they age.

photo by Diana Linsley

{ t h e s p o t t o s h o p }

3 1 4 9 6 1 3 2 2 0m a i l @ l e o p a r d b o u t i q u e . c o m

20 allen ave. #100 w ebster groves

151 W. Jefferson Ave.Kirkwood 314-821-4646

gingerandmaryannboutique.com

The sophisticated color palette of tangerine and

charcoal gray is perfect for Fall. Visit us to see more

Spanner styles. Be sure to like us on Facebook to hear

about specials and events.

James Durbin Jewelry Design114 W. Jefferson Kirkwood 965-6508

jamesdurbinjewelry.com

Tues-Fri 10-5:30 Sat 10-2 Sun-Mon Closed

FallingintoFabulous