A literal light bulb moment occurred when, in her mid-50s, Mary Alice Smith of Newport, RI was living alone and attempted to change a lightbulb in a closet with a 10-foot-high ceiling. Balancing on a step stool, she hesitated. What had once been a simple task now felt uncertain. “If I wanted to remain in the town I loved and keep doing the things I enjoyed, I needed a plan,” she recalled.
That realization led her to a journey of discovery, one that ultimately brought the Village Common of RI to Aquidneck Island. “I spent a few years on a committee to help designate Newport as an Age-Friendly City,” she said. “During that time, I learned about senior services and issues affecting older adults.” The committee developed an ambitious plan to improve accessibility and support, making Newport the first city in Rhode Island to receive a World Health Organization/AARP designation for age-friendly initiatives. However, it wasn’t until a community meeting at Channing Church that the idea of bringing the Village Common model to Aquidneck Island truly took root.
“The interest from the community was overwhelming,” Mary Alice said. “A group of us came together, committed to making this happen.” They reached out to the Village Common of Rhode Island, leveraging its infrastructure and expertise to establish a local chapter. “It wasn’t as heavy a lift as starting a whole new program,” she explained. “We were able to pull together resources and learn from them what was needed to launch.” After a year of planning, the initiative officially kicked off on June 20, 2024. “By then, we had 10 members and 20 volunteers—just enough to say we had a Village,” she said.
The Village Common’s mission is simple yet powerful: to respond to members’ needs and help older adults stay active, independent, and connected. “Transportation quickly emerged as the highest need,” Mary Alice noted. “Most of our members need rides to medical appointments, the bank, or even just to get their hair done.” Volunteers also provide minor household repairs, tech support, and companionship through our soon-to-be launched Friend-to-Friend program, which pairs older adults with volunteers for weekly visits or calls. “It’s one-on-one support, and volunteers really get to know the members,” she said. “You can see the difference it makes in people’s lives.”
The need for such services continues to grow. “Many older adults want to remain in their homes, but they struggle with mobility and access to resources,” she explained. “The Village Common helps bridge that gap.” While there are limitations—particularly in assisting those with medical needs—volunteers are trained to connect individuals with the appropriate resources, such as the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging or local senior centers.
Now approaching its one-year anniversary, the Aquidneck Island chapter of the Village Common has grown to 58 volunteers and 48 members, many of whom rely on the service regularly. “A lot of our members live in places where they are physically isolated,” Mary Alice shared. “It makes a huge difference when they know they have someone they can call on.”
Looking ahead, the team is excited to celebrate this milestone and continue refining their services to meet the evolving needs of the community. “We’ve built something really special here,” Mary Alice said. “And we’re just getting started.”
For Mary Alice, now “80 and proud of it,” what began as a moment of hesitation on a step stool has transformed into a purpose—one that empowers older adults to age with dignity, independence, and connection. “Isolating is the worst thing you can do, no matter how old you are,” she said. “At any age, you can find a way to enrich and enhance your life.”
If you or someone you know could benefit from the Aquidneck Island Village, or if you’re interested in volunteering, now is the time to get involved. “Together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community for all,” Mary Alice said. Visit The Village Common of RI to become a member or volunteer.Helen Hames is a Certified Senior Advisor and the Founder of Age Ambassador, where she helps families navigate the complexities of senior living and aging in place. Based in Newport, RI, Helen has extensive experience serving families across Rhode Island. You can learn more at AgeAmbassador.com.
