A home village model found in Berea could spread to other central Kentucky communities

A village of a different sort could one day be established in Lexington. Such a program is already operating in a nearby Kentucky community.

Berea Home Village consists of 55 members and 63 volunteers serving residents in the 40403 zip code. It’s a network of services with a big chunk devoted to two-way transportation of members. Berea Village Executive Director Katie Heckman said visits, calls, and activities are all part of the model.

“One thing we’re totally against is isolation. And we have many activities to get our members and our volunteers out into the community so people don’t get lonely,” said Heckman.

Berea Home Village provides mileage payment for volunteers.

Heckman noted sometimes she has to inform interested parties it’s not about bricks and mortar.

“And a lot of times I will get calls where people have called and said ‘Can I get a room at Berea Home Village and I have to tell them, it’s not a place, it’s a purpose. It’s a group of services that we can provide to our members, given by friendly gifted volunteers,” said Heckman.

Individual and household membership are fee-based, but the director says 43% of members meet the federal poverty guidelines and face no fees. Lexington Council Member Shayla Lynch mentioned the “village” model concept this week as something her city could investigate. Heckman said Berea and Paducah are the only two towns in Kentucky with the “Village” format. In addition to Lexington, Heckman said Berea Home Village representatives have also been playing a mentoring role to the Midway community.

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