Services and Benefits

The Village of Takoma Park offers or collaborates on the following services/programs:

• Transportation
  The VillageRides program pairs volunteer drivers with neighbors who need help getting to medical appointments, grocery shopping, religious services, social events, etc.

To request a ride, you must first be a member of the Village of Takoma Park. Once you are a member please call 301-646-2109 to register and receive more information about the ride service, and then to request a ride once registered.

Volunteer drivers will accept the ride request based on the driver's availability.  Drivers call the rider when they accept the ride request and again the day before the appointment

To volunteer to drive, call 301-646-2109 or email sandyeganretired@gmail.com.  

Take a look at a short video promoting this service.  Produced by Jewish Council on the Aging, it "stars" two of our members AND a Village of TP car.  Note: members in need of a ride should call 301-646-2109, NOT the number mentioned in the video.

• Friendly Visitor Program 
  This program provides a weekly contact to call or visit residents who aren't able to get out as often as they would like.  Village membership is required.  Call 301-424-0656 Ext.507. 
  
  

• Aging Well and other events
  The Village hosts events once or more often per month, usually information sessions around a particular topic and with refreshments and time for socializing.  A wide variety of programs is offered. Examples of past topics include health and wellness, legal documents, finances and money management, scams and frauds, storytelling, and caregiving. We also offer social, cultural, and educational events.  Watch the calendar for more information. Village membership not required, unless otherwise specified.
  
  
• Senior Stroll
  Are you a Village of Takoma Park member who would like to get out for a stroll a couple of times a week, but would like someone to walk with you? We will match you with a Village volunteer to go walking with you. Please contact sandyeganretired@gmail.com or call 301-646-2109.
  
  
• Errands
  If you have stopped driving, can no longer get around easily, and need something that you (or a friend or family member) are unable to order online or from a delivery service, we will do it for you.   You may, for example, need to pick up a prescription, a package at the post office, or dry cleaning.   Call the Village at 301-646-2109 and let us know what you need.  We will try to fill all requests within three days, sooner if there's an emergency.  
  If the volunteer doing the errand needs to pay for something, we will ask you to reimburse by cash or check at the time of delivery.   Note that for insurance reasons, errands are done by volunteers alone; not in a car with the member requesting the errand.  
  
  
•  Small Home Repairs/Tasks/Technology Help:  The Village of Takoma Park has a team of volunteers who are ready and willing to do small home repairs and tasks around the house for members who have no other access to help for minor repairs or chores such as moving furniture and replacing high light bulbs.  We also have volunteers able to help with basic technology issues.  If you are a Village member in need of help, call 301-646-2109.  Volunteers will contact you to arrange an evaluation of the job and to determine if it can be done by one of our volunteers.

  The member bears cost for all materials needed for small home repairs.   No warranty of materials or workmanship is expressed or implied. 

• Help with applications for larger home improvements
  We can help income-qualified members apply for home improvements, accessibility modifications, and repairs through Rebuilding Montgomery or Habitat for Humanity, both parts of the Lifelong Homes Coalition. When a Village team is unable to perform a repair or a major task, a homeowner who meets certain income requirements will receive an application form that goes to Rebuilding Together Montgomery County, a non-profit organization that works with community volunteers to provide free home repair and accessibilities modification to help low income homeowners to live safely and independently in their homes. These repairs may include minor plumbing and electrical work; roofing, floor, and ceiling repair; interior and exterior painting; installation of grab bars; and building of ramps.

  
  SUPPORT AND INTEREST GROUPS:
  
  
  • PARENTS OF SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS (POSNA) is an advocacy and support group for parents and other loved ones of adults with developmental and/or chronic psychiatric challenges.  The group is especially interested in securing jobs, supportive housing, safety, and recreation for their loved ones.  Meetings are via Zoom on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm.  If you want to join a meeting, contact Mary Jane Muchui at 240-582-6199 or muchui@aol.com to receive a link.   Additional contact info: Peggy Edwards at 202-270-1816 or peggywalsh56@gmail.com or email infoPOSNA@gmail.com
  
  
  

• Walking Group
  Like to walk? No need to register in advance – just show up in your walking shoes.  Scheduled walks are posted on our website - Villageoftakomapark.com/calendar.              
  WHEN:   monthly (September - June), date and time to be announced (see our calendar)
  WHERE:  Meet at the Takoma Park Community Center inside the front entrance on Maple Ave., for a walk on Sligo Creek. 
  LENGTH OF WALK:  1 hour 
  PACE: To be determined by walkers present
  LEADER:  Susan Rogers, 202-243-9230 or GJPgroup@yahoo.com (please call or email; do not text)
  CANCELLATION POLICY:   Walks will be cancelled when temperatures are below 40 degrees, or in case of inclement weather.  Watch the Village website's calendar. If in doubt, contact Susan Rogers.