L.J. Baylis

We work to highlight a partner or community organization that is doing great things in our county. This month, we are highlighting Findley Lake's Community ConnectionsDr. L.J. Baylis, is the executive director of Community Connections at Findley Lake, Inc. - a private not-for-profit, 501(c)3 corporation founded to give residents of Findley Lake and the surrounding communities both the practical means and confidence to live their lives to the fullest in their own homes as they grow older. 1. Tell us about Community Connections at Findley Lake. Community Connections at Findley Lake was inc. in 2013 as a 501C3 non-profit and designed to help community residents remain in their own homes safely and independently for as long as they choose. We serve the rural communities in western Chautauqua County. We provide services that support aging adults such as transportation, mail pick up and delivery, prescription pickup, shopping assistance and healthcare navigation. We also provide various educational programs such as health management and workshops to decrease social isolation. Our home care nurses and companions support our frail elderly in their homes. They also serve as advocates at doctor and medical appointments. 2. What are some recent accomplishments achieved by this group? Our first major accomplishment in 2013 was applying for and receiving an expedited 501c3 designation due to the recognized needs for an organization such as ours in rural NYS. Another accomplishment was the award from NYS Office for Aging. This was a 5-year grant given to us in recognition of our services we provide as a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community. We are 1 of only 2 NYS designated rural Neighborhood NORCs. 3. What are some exciting things you have planned? We are currently working with our partners to decrease the waiting list in the county for homecare senior services that are being requested. Our current exciting project is that of developing a Pocket Neighborhood. This is to address the shortage of senior housing in the communities we serve. The concept of a pocket neighborhood is to provide housing and a living area around shared common grounds. The pocket neighborhoods bring back the concept of front porch interaction and social connection while maintaining independent living. 4. Community Connections relies on community volunteers. Can you talk about the importance of community-driven efforts to improve Findley Lake? Or you can talk about Aging in Place? Your choice! According to AARP 90% of aging adults over the age of 65 choose to remain in their own home and community for as long as possible. Aging, retired community residents are a valuable asset to their community and by moving into a more livable environment such as a pocket neighborhood, housing becomes available for new families. Retirees contributed $13.5 billion to the economy of NYS in 2021 and can provide significant volunteer hours to town organizations. Community Connections’ volunteers alone provided 1,811 hours at a value of $56, 503 in 2023 and provided 4066 miles of transportation services. 5. What is something most people don’t know about your organization? Community Connections is a very efficient organization. We provide over 6,000 services/year with 4 fulltime employees, 4 parttime employees and our 13 volunteers. 6. What advice would you give to other community groups in Chautauqua County who are looking into launching a project similar to your Pocket Neighborhood effort? The three founding members of Community Connections determined that the success of our organization was to not assume we knew what the community needed. We depend heavily upon the feedback from our residents and advisory councils to guide us down a path that will be most beneficial to the areas we serve. A major project such as the pocket neighborhood concept requires solid partnerships with the county, town and local government. Do not assume you can do this without all their support and guidance if the neighborhood is to be developed successfully.