Lafayette council approves two-year $70,000-a-year MOU to fund La Mirinda Village supported memberships

The Lafayette City Council voted unanimously April 14 to approve a two-year funding arrangement with La Mirinda Village that will provide $70,000 a year to underwrite supported memberships for eligible Lafayette residents.

Susie Pack, community outreach coordinator for La Mirinda Village, described the nonprofit’s work serving residents aged 55 and over across Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda and detailed services that include weekly social gatherings, transportation partnerships and volunteer coordination. Pack said the program’s standard individual membership is $360 a year and that the city’s previous two-year support had delivered $98,000 in payments to the village. She said the new structure would let La Mirinda Village process supported memberships as part of its existing sign-up workflows.

Jonathan Katayanagi, Lafayette’s parks, trails and recreation director, told council staff had worked with the village and the Senior Services Commission to simplify administration. Katayanagi said the proposed memorandum of understanding (MOU) would fund supported memberships upfront so the village could plan staffing and volunteer recruitment without first having to fundraise for membership subsidies.

Vice Mayor Enduring moved the staff recommendation to establish two years of funding at $70,000 per year to make supported memberships available to qualifying Lafayette residents. The motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Support for La Mirinda Village is intended to expand access to programming and social supports that city officials said can reduce isolation among older residents and help them continue living independently. Proponents told the council the arrangement will remove administrative obstacles and increase program stability.

Details in brief: La Mirinda Village reported increased participation since the city began funding supported memberships; program activities include weekly "swell" gatherings, organized transportation via Spirit Van, intergenerational events and an auxiliary volunteer group that helps stage larger programs. The village’s work with partner organizations provides services to residents in senior housing and in other Lafayette neighborhoods.

Next steps: The city will sign the MOU and fund the two-year commitment. La Mirinda Village will integrate supported membership options into its registration process for services and report back to the Senior Services Commission and council on program use and outcomes.