Soroptimist Village Foundation Inc
Helping SENIORS LIVE THEIR DREAM of affordable housing
About Us
Soroptimist Village Foundation Inc. is a non-profit entity organized under Section (501)(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service. Our mission is to provide adequate housing for a consideration substantially below cost, to low-income seniors or aged seniors who are unable financially to provide for themselves without distress. The Foundation offers a mix of singles and one-bedroom apartments to qualified seniors or disabled persons, at under-market, subsidized rents, in the housing project known as Soroptimist Village.
The Village is located in the city of Norwalk, at 12657 Foster Road, Norwalk, CA 90650. It is a great place to live in; it’s a dream-come-true for many seniors. These modest but well-maintained garden apartments have been designed, built and run by some local branches of Soroptimist International, an international service organization of business and professional women. It is worth noting that the two organizations – the Soroptimist Village Foundation Inc. and the Soroptimist International – are two separate, distinct organizations. For more on Soroptimist, go to History tab.
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 by the alliance of several local Soroptimist clubs, 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…
The Soroptimist Village Foundation Inc. provides adequate housing for a consideration substantially below cost, to low-income seniors or aged seniors who are unable financially to provide for themselves without distress. The Village consists of forty six apartments, singles and one-bedrooms, which are rented to qualified seniors or disabled persons, at under-market, subsidized rents.
The units are garden-like, one-level apartments, well taken care of, well maintained by the management and residents alike. Wandering through the meanders of the alleys one could think these are privately owned rather rented – with their patios so nicely decorated, with flowers hanging around the windows.
Each house has the name of one of the donating Soroptimist clubs inscribed above the entrance door, a memento of the generosity and thoughtfulness of the women founders.
There are parking spaces available for those residents that own a car. For the others, the bus stop just across the street from their house is another very nice gift attached to the privilege of renting in the Village. And of course there are parking stalls for the visitors.
The housing complex has a Social Hall/Recreation Center, equipped with a fully loaded kitchen, tables and chairs for about one hundred persons, a piano, ladies’- and gentlemen’s rooms indoors. This is where special events, special programs for the residents, as well as the Foundation’s board meetings, are held.
There is a Medical Center one block away, and a Baptist Church next door to the Village.
In order to be able to afford offering under-market rents, Soroptimist Village Foundation Inc. has been working with the City of Norwalk Housing Authority. We are now in our 13th year of cooperation.
The City subsidizes a portion of the rent value with federal funds, under Section 8 program, contingent upon their yearly inspections of the units yielding positive findings in terms of maintenance, and a determination that the units are safe and sanitary, and in compliance with all City fire and other regulations.
Whenever vacancies occur, units are generally rented quickly, thanks to the Housing Authority qualifying people in a timely manner. The last annual rent increase was approved by the City of Norwalk Housing Authority for the fiscal year 2015-2016.
The Board and the XLNT Property Management are working hand in hand to provide the residents with quality programs, to make them feel they are part of the Village family. We care for the emotional well-being of our residents as much as for their physical needs.
The Management organizes weekly exercise classes for the Village residents. The classes are held on the premises, in the Barbara Riley Social Hall. This is a very successful event, with a remarkable resident participation.
Most of the senior residents don’t have a family any more. To make them feel at home, feel loved, monthly birthday parties are organized by the Foundation, which provides the funds and the necessary items for the parties, while the property manager and the resident manager ensure the logistics. Each resident is recognized and offered a birthday card along with a small gift. Special holiday dinner parties are also organized and provided by the Soroptimist Village Foundation Inc. Light entertainment, like playing Bingo, piano recitals, sing-along, karaoke, is sometimes offered by volunteers from high schools, by talented members of different Soroptimist International clubs, or by the residents themselves. Food is usually catered, while members of the associated Soroptimist clubs are volunteering to serve, attend to the participants and clean up the place.
The Board and the Management are constantly seeking and evaluating options for future programs and events to benefit the Village residents.
The housing complex is being professionally managed by XLNT Property Management Company. Our Manager, Mr. Gordon Stefenhagen, ensures the smooth overall operation of the foundation, from being the liaison with the City of Norwalk, to marketing the vacant units, overseeing the building maintenance, and managing the financial activity of the foundation. His expertise in the fields of governmental relations, property management, and personnel issues makes him a perfect match to the Foundation’s needs, and is reflected in the outstanding results in terms of residents’ satisfaction, relationship with the Housing Authority, and the soundness of the organization’s financial status.
The on-site administrator, Mrs. Juliet Melendrez, is the voice of the management in its daily dealings with the residents. She is in permanent contact with them, listening to their needs and attending to them. She coordinates with the maintenance crew, outside vendors, schedules appointments for showing vacancies, and all other managerial attributions incumbent upon the position. For her soft attitude but firm as an administrator, Juliet is praised by the residents and the board members alike.