NEST is celebrating its first anniversary with “An Evening with Nancy Pearl” held on Sunday, March 24th.

North East Seattle Together – NEST, a 501(c)3 non-profit, was founded in response to the growing preference among older adults to remain in their homes as they age. With more than 23,000 individuals over the age of 60 and no senior center in its service area NEST is a vital resource for people who desire to age confidently in their communities and in their homes.

In its first year 55 people between the ages of 60-98 have become NEST members. Esther, a 77-year-old Ravenna resident and NEST member recently said, “I feel so relieved since joining NEST. I have always gotten such quick response to my requests. Over the past year, I have gained confidence in asking for help. Now I am developing a list of things that I am not going to do on my own. I feel confident in calling and asking NEST for help.”

Transportation, social connections, technology assistance and household maintenance are members’ top requests. To date, more than 100 volunteers have been trained to support NEST members with errands, household tasks, and rides to medical appointments, the hairdresser, or the grocery store. On more than 130 occasions, NEST volunteers have given members rides to the places that they want to go.

NEST volunteer Sharon Greenberg says, “NEST members do not sit around watching TV all day. I’ve had the opportunity to exchange books, learn about the myths of cholesterol, explore new neighborhoods, and add daily walking to my regime inspired by a group of seniors who walk around Green Lake on a regular schedule.”

NEST’s success paves the way for more communities in the Seattle area to develop and implement their own “village” programs. NEST and other villages nationally have demonstrated their ability to strengthen communities and allow people to age with greater choice and confidence. Maple Leaf resident and NEST Board President, Mike Ullmann says: “It is difficult to imagine how our neighborhoods would weather the loss of the increasing number of older home owners.”

NEST enriches the lives of its members through community (social and educational programs), support (rides, running errands, household tasks) and peace of mind (easy access to trusted vendors and organizations). By helping people who live south of NE Northgate Way/NE 110th Street, east of Interstate 5, north of the Montlake cut, and west of Lake Washington, NEST fosters community connections, vitality, and stability.

NEST is celebrating its first anniversary with “An Evening with Nancy Pearl” held on Sunday, March 24th. For more information about NEST or this event, contact Judy Kinney, NEST Executive Director at judy@nestseattle.org, 206.525.6378, http://www.nestseattle.org.