Our History
In 2012, neighbors began exploring the formation of a village in Bethesda, Maryland. BMAV’s first president, Gail Shearer, recalls, “When I first heard of efforts to launch a village in Bethesda, I was newly retired and sensed that getting involved would be a good way to help neighbors as they grew older. I didn’t know that it would evolve and grow to become an important part of our lives.”
An initial meeting in January 2014 attracted a standing-room crowd of 80 eager, potential members. And then the hard work began! BMAV was incorporated in 2014 and granted nonprofit status in March 2015. In November 2016, BMAV began offering volunteer services to its members.
In 2017 BMAV hired Elizabeth Haile as our Executive Director. She oversees programs, volunteers, and managing the village. Today, our community has grown from 75 members to more than twice that number, and our activities and services have increased by even more.