Mission
Helping Seniors “Live the Dream” of affordable rental housing.
Vision
Providing a safe, interactive environment through collaboration between SOROPTIMIST Clubsand the City of Norwalk.
Special Events
The Barbara Riley Social Hall/Recreation Center is equipped with a fully appointed kitchen and tables & chairs for almost one hundred people This is where Monthly Birthday Parties, other special events/programs for the residents, as well as the meetings of the Board or Directors are held. A standard piano as well as a player piano, and rest-rooms make the self-contained venue a comfortable place to hold events.
The Village
Soroptimist Village is not only a great place to live; it’s a dream-come-true for many seniors. These modest but well-maintained garden apartments have been designed, maintained by the property and office manager. As a cherished Legacy Project the Board of Directors is diligent in It’s oversite at all capacities.
Soroptimist Village consists of a mix of forty-seven units; singles and one-bedrooms. They are rented to qualified seniors or disabled persons, at under-market, subsidized rents in a partnership with Norwalk Housing Authority.
Frequently referred to as “The Village” the units are garden-like, one-level apartments, appointed with full kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning and patios. Wandering through the meanders of the walkways, one might think these are privately owned rather rentals. Parking spaces located near the units are available for those residents who own a car and there are parking stalls for the visitors located at the front of the property. For the non-drivers, there is a bus stop just across the street from the property as well as transportation available through other programs.
Other appointments include the Barbara Riley Social Hall/Recreation Center, On-Site Administrator & Handyman and on-site laundry facilities. With Norwalk Community Hospital and Emergency Room only one block away, and other Medical Professionals and Pharmacy in the vicinity, plus a Church right next door “The Village” is an ideal place to reside.
History
On October 3, 1921 the first Soroptimist Club was chartered, and it happened here, in California, in Alameda County. It was founded by a group of eighty one visionary women, who wanted to make a difference in the world. The idea spread like a fire and years later, Soroptimist – which stands for “Best for Women”, whose etymology goes back to Latin, where “Soro” means Women, and “Optima” means Best – became an International organization of business and professional women who wanted to move the social engine in the right direction.
By 1959 a number of Soroptimist members realized that there were many old people who could not afford to pay rent without help. Moreover, a lot of them did not have any family to rely upon. Once they identified that need, several Soroptimist International clubs united efforts and proceeded taking action.
Thus the Soroptimist Village Foundation Corporation was born in 1959, whose mission was, then as it is now, helping low-income seniors or aged seniors who are unable financially to provide for themselves without distress, by providing adequate housing for a consideration substantially below cost.
The Soroptimist Village Foundation Inc. bought several acres of land in the city of Norwalk. The ground breaking ceremony for the Soroptimist Village housing project took place in 1963 and the construction started. The Village has since celebrated over half a century of activity, during which it helped an untold number of needy seniors, enlightening their sunset years. And counting…