Membership Services and Benefits
Foggy Bottom West End Village is a neighborhood nonprofit volunteer/membership organization that provides services and benefits to help residents live independently for the long term.
To accomplish this goal we have created a menu of services and benefits that are available exclusively to our Standard Members. These are in addition to the social, educational, cultural and health and wellness programs that are available to both our Standard and Social Members. Services are performed by a cadre of volunteers and subject to their availability.
Transportation
Volunteer drivers provide one-way or round-trip transportation to members and may assist them to and from the front door and carry groceries and packages as needed. Typical destinations may include:
- Doctors’ appointments
- Grocery stores
- Houses of worship
- Community meetings
- Social, cultural & other events offered or sponsored by FBWE Village
In-Home Assistance
Our volunteers may come to a member's home and help with household tasks such as:
- Clean out closets & cabinets
- Change light bulbs
- Hang pictures & curtains
- Move light furniture
- Make simple repairs
- Rake, sweep or shovel walkways
- Perform small gardening tasks
Technology & Technical Support
Volunteers help explain technology to members, advise them on equipment purchases and upgrades, tutor them in hardware and software use and provide specialized assistance such as:
- Setting up a new computer or printer
- Setting up a home wireless network
- Troubleshooting a computer
- Selecting & using a cellular (mobile) telephone
Convenience Services
Volunteers help members with small needs on an occasional basis. These may include:
- Medical appointment escort
- Pick up prescriptions
- Mail packages
- Run errands
- Check on houses or apartments when members are away
- Pickup mail & newspapers
- Walk dogs & care for pets on an emergency basis
Friendly Visits & Contact Calls
Volunteers may call or visit members at a regularly scheduled time to check on their well being, just chat or read to those with impaired vision.
Problem Solving
FBWE Village has volunteers trained to solve problems. These may be as basic as organizing files and paperwork or more detailed such as identifying community or governmental resources to address specific needs. When necessary the Village will provide referrals to professionals with the required expertise.
Home Care Assistance
The FBWE Village has partnered with
Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care services in DC, to augment the Village's volunteer services by providing Village members access to premier home care at special discounted and affordable rates.
Medicare-certified Home Care
The Village also has developed ongoing relationships with Medicare-certified home care agencies for members who have such services prescribed by their physician, especially after a hospital stay. When a member receives services from these agencies, the Village will help monitor the services.
Professional Service Provider
FBWE Village assists members in identifying qualified professional service providers to perform a range of tasks necessary for the upkeep and maintenance of a house or apartment. These will include plumbers, carpenters, painters and electricians.
Washington Consumers’ Checkbook
FBWE Village Standard Members are eligible to receive a free online membership to Washington Consumers' Checkbook, a nonprofit consumer resource which rates area service providers and stores on the basis of quality and price. A print edition will be available for members without internet service.
The following programs and activities are indicative of those available to all Standard and Social Members of the Village:
Wellness and Educational Programs
- Presentations on health topics (e.g. nutrition, vision, caregiving, navigating the health care system)
- Walking group - the "Walkie Talkies"
- Balance classes
- Qi Gong
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Lectures on topical issues (e.g. economics, civil rights, legal documents)
- Book and author presentations
Social and Cultural Activities
- Film screenings and discussions
- Museum tours
- Luncheons and dinners
- Happy hours
- Historic home and garden visits
- Musical and theatrical performances
The above information can be downloaded: Member Services and Benefits
If you have questions or would like to join or renew, please email info@fbwevillage.org