NJV Hub Celebrating Launch of the GRNN Spoke!

On April 1, 2025, North Jersey Village (NJV) board members joined over 50 Glen Rockers to celebrate the launch of the Glen Rock Neighborhood Network (GRNN) at the home of a GRNN Core Team member.  I believe it is the energy and spirit evident at this gathering that will fuel the growth of the GRNN village and the Village Movement in Bergen County!

GRNN is the first “Spoke” in the NJV “Hub.” The GRNN Core Team - Emily, Donna, Terry B, Lois & Marty, Marian, George, Gretchyn, Reggie, and Nena   - under the outstanding leadership of Mary Barchetto and Teresa Gilbreath – worked together to accomplish the tremendous job of building an infrastructure and an operations platform that not only makes the GRNN village welcoming – and that will make GRNN sustainable – but also makes GRNN a model for other communities in Bergen County.  

To that end, it is important to acknowledge the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation grant, the NJV development grant, the Jain Family, GRNN core team donations, and collaboration with the Glen Rock Library that provided funds and support needed to get the GRNN village up and running – and now very ready to launch with the GRNN Coordinator, Michele Silver, and 17 vetted and trained GRNN volunteers!   

GRNN looks forward to having its volunteers provide services such as simple repairs, transportation, friendly visits, check-in calls, and social activities allowing GRNN members to age safely, healthily, more affordably and vibrantly!

It was at a conference of senior advisors over 10 years ago that I learned about the Village Movement.  The Village concept was what the rapidly increasing numbers of Boomers living longer could use to age well!  The Village concept offered seniors choosing to age at home many different opportunities to build-up their self-esteem with purposeful engagement, enrichment, social interaction, and more!!!

To the North Jersey Villages founding board members, Janet Chen, George Kuzma, Jay and Terry VanDelden and Tim Luing as well as current board and team members, Columbus Kim, Meghan LaBruno, Shana Seigel, and Eddie Weiner; Liz Brueck, Scott Cavagnuolo, Jane Galligan, Shaurya Madiraju, Chakrapani Nettem, Jill Strassberg and the many past NJV team members - thank you for believing in and working hard to introduce the village concept into Bergen County!  And to Berkeley College, the Luing Family Foundation and all others who have supported and encouraged many projects and village development efforts that have brought NJV to this day - welcoming a Spoke into the Hub – THANK YOU! 

Kathy Kuzma, ED
NJV HUB Village
April 1, 2025