While much in Pacific Beach is geared toward the college age and young adult population, one resident wants to provide more for its mature residents.
Maria Mikus Leghy, a Pacific Beach resident with aging parents, is starting a new community initiative for those 55 and older. She is calling it Pacific Beach Village. Joining her in the effort are Mandi Harlin and Talia Herman.
The project is in its early stages, with the team recently launching the first component — an online survey for residents so they can learn more about community needs and gauge volunteer interest.
“We want to hear from you, on what’s important to you, so we make sure as we launch we are starting out with services that are most needed,” Mikus Leghy said.
People can share their thoughts by visiting tinyurl.com/PBVillageSurvey.
There is a sizable population in the area that could potentially be interested and benefit from whatever Pacific Beach Village offers.
According to the 2020 Census, in ZIP code 92109 there were 44,634 residents. Of these, 9,195 were ages 55 and older, per the data found on SANDAG’s website.
In contrast, 4,915 were under age 18, while 30,524 were ages 18 to 54. The largest single age group among these adults were those 25 to 29 years, with 8,107 falling in that demographic. The next largest was the 30 to 34 age group with 6,509.
According to Mikus Leghy, her Pacific Beach Village idea was inspired by similar communities popping up across the nation.
“I was seeing my parents age (and) seeing the lack of affordable senior living,” she said. “Seeing my father who needs to be socially engaged, (but) there is just a lack of resources in PB. Some neighborhoods like Clairemont have a senior center, whereas PB does not.
“(My team and I) want to build a community of neighbors helping neighbors socially, such as brunch and golf, or physically, like chair yoga, tai chi and mentally,” Mikus Leghy said. “I started doing research and found hundreds of these communities across the country.”
Mikus Leghy has been sourcing ideas and models from various communities like the one she hopes to start in Pacific Beach. Mikus Leghy said she hopes to get the word out to the community as well to better understand the specific needs of PB residents.
“Theres a big movement to help people age in their homes,” Mikus Leghy said. “My gut just said this is what we need and there’s so many people that want to volunteer, to drive to doctors appointments or drop off a meal after a surgery. This is a way to connect everybody.”
According to Mikus Leghy, the model will be membership based, where seniors can pay a fee to get access to services. Volunteers interested in providing services will undergo background checks.
There will be a website coming soon, but for now the community is encouraged to reach out with questions or interest via email at PacificBeachVillage@gmail.com.
She also wants to partner with community organizations operating in Pacific Beach and has started reaching out.
“We are looking to partner with the PB Arts Center,” she said. “We are also looking for donations for the 501c3 to help cover start up costs and insurance.”