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Blog archive

May 2025

April 2025

March 2025

About Senior Solutions
03/28/2025

Building a Bridge With Journey House, A Home Base for Former Foster Youth
03/28/2025

Come for the Knitting, Stay for the Conversation... and the Cookies
03/28/2025

Creating Safe and Smart Spaces with Home Technology
03/28/2025

Finding Joy in My Role on The Pasadena Village Board
03/28/2025

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up!
03/28/2025

Managing Anxiety
03/28/2025

Message from Our President: Keeping Pasadena Village Strong Together
03/28/2025

My Favorite Easter Gift
03/28/2025

The Hidden History of Black Women in WWII
03/28/2025

Urinary Tract Infection – Watch Out!
03/28/2025

Volunteer Coordinator and Blade-Runner
03/28/2025

Continuing Commitment to Combating Racism
03/26/2025

Goodbye and Keep Cold by Robert Frost
03/13/2025

What The Living Do by Marie Howe
03/13/2025

Racism is Not Genetic
03/11/2025

Bill Gould, The First
03/07/2025

THIS IS A CHAPTER, NOT MY WHOLE STORY
03/07/2025

Dramatic Flair: Villagers Share their Digital Art
03/03/2025

Empowering Senior LGBTQ+ Caregivers
03/03/2025

A Life Never Anticipated
03/02/2025

Eaton Fire Changes Life
03/02/2025

February 2025

Commemorating Black History Month 2025
02/28/2025

Transportation at the Pasadena Village
02/28/2025

A Look at Proposition 19
02/27/2025

Behind the Scenes: Understanding the Pasadena Village Board and Its Role
02/27/2025

Beyond and Within the Village: The Power of One
02/27/2025

Celebrating Black Voices
02/27/2025

Creatively Supporting Our Village Community
02/27/2025

Decluttering: More Than The Name Implies
02/27/2025

Hidden Gems of Forest Lawn Museum
02/27/2025

LA River Walk
02/27/2025

Message from the President
02/27/2025

Phoenix Rising
02/27/2025

1619 Conversations with West African Art
02/25/2025

The Party Line
02/24/2025

Bluebird by Charles Bukowski
02/17/2025

Dreams by Langston Hughes
02/17/2025

Haiku - Four by Fritzie
02/17/2025

Haikus - Nine by Virginia
02/17/2025

Wind and Fire
02/17/2025

Partnerships Amplify Relief Efforts
02/07/2025

Another Community Giving Back
02/05/2025

Diary of Disaster Response
02/05/2025

Eaton Fire: A Community United in Loss and Recovery
02/05/2025

Healing Powers of Creative Energy
02/05/2025

Living the Mission
02/05/2025

Message from the President: Honoring Black History Month
02/05/2025

Surviving and Thriving: Elder Health Considerations After the Fires
02/05/2025

Treasure Hunting in The Ashes
02/05/2025

Villager's Stories
02/05/2025

A Beginning of Healing
02/03/2025

Hectic Evacuation From Eaton Canyon Fire
02/02/2025

Hurricanes and Fires are Different Monsters
02/02/2025

January 2025

A Board Director Perspective

By Michelle Chiu
Posted: 05/02/2025
Tags: michelle chiu, newsletter may 2025

Board director Michelle Chiu conducted this Q&A with fellow director Rick Holliday to get his perspective on board service.

MC: Rick, will you share a bit about your background and what motivated you to join the Pasadena Village, and get involved in fundraising for the Pasadena Village fire relief fund? 

RH: During COVID, I saw the 1619 Project and was amazed by the detail and information.  I continued to join the zoom meetings and learned so much about Pasadena I was shocked.  I wanted to associate with people like these (Dick Myers).  I later was invited to join the Board of Directors which has led to many interesting and engaging activities.

MC: What were the primary goals you set out to achieve with the fundraising effort? 

RH: As the Development Chair, I’ve been tasked to lead and work with an amazing group of Villagers.  They set the mark for how the group goes about developing funding opportunities.  Naturally, the fires effect on the entire Village and greater community is a motivator.

MC: What strategies did you find most effective in raising funds for the fire relief?  

RH: Interestingly, we just had to ask.  The greater community immediately jumped into action.  Having already recognized what the Pasadena Village does within the community, we received an outpouring of support, which is the best indicator of the value the Village has in this community.

MC: How did you engage with your community or network to gather support for your fundraising efforts?  

RH: Executive Director Katie Brandon and the Village Staff, has lead an incredible effort to ensure the Village message of “aging in place” is heard.  

MC: Did you collaborate with any organizations, and how did these partnerships enhance your efforts?  

RH: Collaboration is the single most effect way the Village operates.  We have several partnerships  with business leaders and organizations in the community who support the Village movement.

MC: Will you share some of the outcomes of your fundraising efforts? How did the funds raised make a difference in the Villagers who were impacted?  

RH: The Village, through the efforts and contributions  of our partners, has been able to quickly respond to the individual needs of the members who experienced loss due to the fires. The goal of the Village is to create community when there may not be a natural or organic environment. The fire demonstrated this model successfully, and I know all are thankful for the result.

MC: What lessons have you learned from this experience, and what advice would you give to others who wish to raise funds for similar causes?  

RH: Authentically provide a service that serves more than yourself. I have learned that the more you give, the more you’ll get in return. The Pasadena Village is one of many across the nation and I hope the movement grows.

MC: Are you planning any future fundraising activities for the relief effort or for other Pasadena Village causes, and what will you do differently based on your past experiences?  

RH: Thankfully, plans are in place for events, activities, fundraisers, etc. The Board of Directors works well in providing ideas and guidance to further the mission of the Village Movement and specifically, the legacy of the Pasadena Village.

The Pasadena Board of Directors meets every 3rd Tuesday of the month at 4:00 PM. The meeting is open for Villagers and guests to attend, so if you are interested in knowing more about how the Board operates and what we do, you are welcome to attend any upcoming Board meetings (Note: the Annual Board Retreat will be held on May 28 in lieu of the regular May Board Meeting).  Please feel free to send questions you would like answered in the newsletter to me or to Voice of the Village Editor Bridget Brewster.

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