During a hurricane, Asheville seniors formed a pod that may help them age in place
During a Hurricane, Asheville Seniors Formed a Pod That May Help Them Age in Place
During a hurricane Asheville seniors formed – As the day wanes, the attendees gather, their presence marked by the fading sunlight. Nancy Miller-Green, a 83-year-old resident of Asheville, North Carolina, spends the evening visiting neighbors door-to-door, reminding them of the weekly gathering at her home. The menu features a shrimp and corn chowder, paired with red wine. Her knock at Maria Pugliese’s door—51 years old—draws a hesitant response. “Are you coming tonight, Maria?” Miller-Green inquires after entering. “We all want to see you.” Pugliese, a member of the group, agrees to make an effort, and Miller-Green continues her rounds through the cul-de-sac. By the time the last guest arrives, the atmosphere is warm with shared laughter and the clink of glasses. A black cat named Aura lounges near the coffee table, weaving between the feet of the elderly participants. Among them are former social workers and therapists, individuals who have dedicated their careers to supporting others. All are over 50, with the oldest member reaching her 90s. Half of the group identify as lesbians, and many have no children. Their interactions resemble those of close friends, marked by teasing and shared stories. Yet, the conversations often shift to the realities of aging. For instance, married couple Va Boyle, 91, and Jean Cassidy, 79, express a longing for the companionship of friends who have passed away or relocated to retirement communities offering more extensive care. “Aging is about ‘learning to lose,’” Cassidy remarks, reflecting on the emotional challenges of growing older.
The Birth of a Support Network
The weekly dinners, which began in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation in September 2024, became a platform for open dialogue. The storm had left the Asheville community reeling, prompting residents to rethink their approach to care. This pod, as the neighbors refer to it, now meets regularly to discuss both personal and communal needs. While most members can manage independently, they have enlisted a “sharegiver” to assist with tasks like sewing buttons, mowing lawns, and running errands for about five hours each week. The arrangement is flexible, with care hours scaling as required. Miller-Green, the group’s organizer, envisions a more innovative solution: an intergenerational living model, which her brother, David Nimmons, is developing in collaboration with Stonewall Community Development Corp. This initiative aims to foster connections between older adults and younger caregivers, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage while addressing practical aging challenges.
The Stonewall Bridge model is tailored to LGBTQ communities but can be adapted for broader application. It proposes a system where seniors donate their homes to a nonprofit or foundation, which then manages them as part of a shared living network. In exchange, participants receive an annual income, continued residency, and access to caregiving services. The homes are designed to remain affordable, even after the original owners pass away or move out. This structure not only supports aging in place but also creates a sustainable framework for care. Younger sharegivers, who provide services like companionship or assistance with daily tasks, are compensated based on the level of engagement. The model emphasizes mutual benefit: seniors gain stability and social connection, while young caregivers earn income and build assets. “This community has a history of building networks for care,” said Paul Nagle, the corporation’s executive director, highlighting the role of queer networks during the AIDS crisis of the 1980s. “The transmission of our culture cannot be left to chance,” added Nimmons, underscoring the importance of intergenerational dialogue.
A Model for Cultural and Practical Resilience
The Stonewall Bridge initiative seeks to bridge generational gaps while ensuring long-term care for seniors. By integrating housing and caregiving, it addresses two critical concerns: maintaining independence in one’s own home and securing consistent support as health needs evolve. For the Asheville pod, this model represents a proactive response to the isolation that often accompanies aging. “We’re not just surviving; we’re thriving together,” one member noted, emphasizing the emotional and logistical benefits of the setup. The program’s success hinges on its ability to adapt to diverse needs, whether through shared living arrangements or individualized care plans. It also offers young people the opportunity to live affordably while contributing to the well-being of the elderly. This dual-purpose model ensures that both generations gain value from the relationship.
Stonewall Community Development Corp is expanding the concept beyond Asheville, with plans to implement it in South Florida—a region known for its retirement communities and LGBTQ population. Partnerships with Treece Financial and the Our Fund Foundation are underway, focusing on legal frameworks to make the model scalable. These organizations aim to transfer home value to sharegivers, creating a sustainable system that rewards long-term service. “Our job is to create the model, then people can put it wherever they want,” Nimmons explained. “Whether it’s a group of friends aging together or a new community, the core idea is to foster connection and continuity.” The model’s flexibility allows for customization, making it appealing to a wide range of seniors and caregivers. For example, a group of like-minded individuals could establish their own properties under this framework, tailoring it to their specific circumstances.
Legacy and Connection in a Changing World
The pod’s formation was a direct response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which disrupted daily life and highlighted the need for collective support. As the storm’s impact lingered, the seniors realized the importance of maintaining their social fabric. The dinners became more than just a chance to share food—they evolved into a space for reflection, storytelling, and planning for the future. “We’re not just surviving; we’re creating something meaningful,” said one member, who sees the pod as a microcosm of resilience. The sharegiver program, while practical, also serves as a symbolic bridge between generations, echoing the communal care that defined earlier decades of LGBTQ history.
Miller-Green’s vision for the Stonewall Bridge model is rooted in the belief that aging should be a shared experience, not a solitary one. “We’ve spent our lives helping others, and now we want to give back,” she said, her voice steady with purpose. The model’s emphasis on cultural transmission is particularly vital for LGBTQ seniors, many of whom face unique challenges in their later years. By pairing older adults with younger sharegivers, the initiative ensures that values, histories, and identities are preserved and passed on. “It’s about creating a legacy,” Nimmons added, “where the next generation can learn from and carry forward the experiences of those who came before.”
As the community continues to grow, the Stonewall Bridge model offers a blueprint for sustainable aging. It addresses the practical needs of seniors while honoring their emotional and cultural contributions. The partnerships with organizations like Treece Financial and the Our Fund Foundation are crucial to this effort, providing resources and legal expertise to refine the model. “We’re building a system that’s both compassionate and efficient,” Nagle said. The ultimate goal is to create a network where seniors can live with dignity, and younger generations can participate in care, fostering a cycle of support that transcends age. This approach not only strengthens community bonds but also ensures that the lessons of the past are not forgotten in the face of future challenges.
A Call for Collective Care
The concept of the pod in Asheville has sparked conversations about the broader implications of intergenerational living. While the model is currently in development, its potential to transform aging in place is evident. By integrating housing, care, and cultural exchange, it addresses the multifaceted needs of older adults. “We’re not just looking for solutions; we’re building a new way of life,” said Nimmons, who sees the model as a living testament to the strength of community. The pod’s members, who have formed an unspoken bond, represent the power of human connection in overcoming adversity. As they continue to meet, their discussions reveal a deeper commitment to ensuring that aging is not just a physical process but a social and cultural one. “We want to age in place, but we also want to leave something behind,” one member reflected, encapsulating the essence of the Stonewall Bridge vision.
The model’s adaptability makes it a promising solution
