On Tuesday, during 35th anniversary celebrations for its Eden Lodge senior citizens’ village, leadership of Soroptimist International Barbados announced plans to revive the organization’s signature Adopt-A-Unit community initiative, launching a new push to raise critical funds for urgent repairs and long-overdue refurbishments that will expand access to much-needed senior housing on the island.
The 24-unit senior village, which first opened its doors three and a half decades ago, is currently home to just 20 residents. While 22 units remain functional, two require major structural repairs and two more are awaiting full renovations before they can welcome new older adults, even as local demand for affordable, supportive senior accommodation continues to grow, organization president Stacy Ann Charles told local outlet Barbados TODAY in an interview on the sidelines of the anniversary service and luncheon held at the site’s Hildegarde Weekes Activity Centre.
The activity centre itself bears the name of the Soroptimist member whose vision launched the entire project. After returning from a visit to a similar senior housing facility in the United States, Weekes championed the development of the Eden Lodge village, creating a lasting community resource for Barbados’ older population. Today, the centre serves both village residents and the wider local public, generating modest incremental income for the organization by hosting small private events, religious services, community sports gatherings and family functions.
Unlike many senior care facilities that benefit from ongoing government or endowment funding, Soroptimist International Barbados relies almost entirely on community fundraising and corporate donations to cover operational costs and maintenance work for the village. To advance this year’s renovation goals, the organization has already scheduled two major fundraising events: a charity golf tournament titled *Take a Swing for Charity* set for October 4, and an upcoming polo tournament with a date still to be confirmed. Beyond cash donations, the group is also seeking donated construction materials and volunteer labor to complete the repair work as cost-effectively as possible.
While the organization has received generous support from major Barbadian corporations over the decades, Charles noted that it has never secured a long-term, fixed funding agreement, leaving the group to pursue new corporate partnerships each year aligned with its current priorities. That gap is what the relaunched Adopt-A-Unit initiative aims to fill, she explained. The program will give local companies the opportunity to sponsor an individual unit at the village, covering the full cost of its repairs and ongoing maintenance in exchange for recognition and a lasting community impact.
Speaking at the anniversary event, Charles framed the 35-year milestone as a testament to the organization’s core mission of ensuring all older adults can age with dignity, purpose and joy. “For 35 years, this centre has been a place of friendship, laughter, learning, and belonging. It has provided opportunities for older adults to remain active, engaged, and connected while fostering a strong sense of community,” she said, adding that the facility also provides critical peace of mind for family members, who can rest assured their loved ones are valued and well-cared for.
Charles paid special tribute to the visionaries, volunteers, staff and partners who have sustained the village over the decades, singling out Hildegarde Weekes for her foundational role in launching the project. The anniversary celebrations also included formal recognition for long-serving team members and volunteers: volunteer Veronica Jackman Clarke, cleaner Shirma Pollard, cook Angela Collymore were all honored for their ongoing commitment to the village, and Faith Ford received the event’s Spirit of the Community Award for her outstanding contributions to the community.