The Foreign Service Journal, May 2016

36 May 2016 | the foreign Service journal The model, much like tiered retirement communities, depends on people join- ing when they are able to contribute. Just in case, Capitol Hill is starting what Singer calls an “urgent member- ship,” a higher-priced option for those who wait to join until their need for assistance kicks in. Arlington Village, with annual dues of $500 for an indi- vidual and $750 for a couple, addresses the same issue by offering tax-deduct- ible memberships to younger members who don’t use services but are free to participate in cultural programs. At 75, Mike Canning says that he and Judy “have provided more services than we’ve used,” in their 10 years as mem- bers. Even so, he expects, “when we’re in our 80s, we’ll be getting a lot of rides.” A New Social Network The Cannings bought their 1870s row house in 1965 and mostly rented it out, knowing they would eventually settle in Capitol Hill. Twenty-five moves later, they took occupancy of the two-story house and hope to never move again. The Village, says Mike, helps. “It’s our new social circle; we had no idea all these people were nearby. There’s the scientist down the street. The novelist next door.” As co-founders of the Village, the Cannings often visit other parts of the country to talk about their experience and mentor nascent groups. “We always highlight the social connections,” says Mike. “That’s more important than get- ting rides to the doctor or getting your dog walked or your sidewalk shoveled. The real psychological boost is the social network.” n