Community Guidelines

Village, Inc. — A Florida Benefit Corporation

Who Village Is For

Village is for people seeking genuine human connection — companionship, belonging, and chosen family. Our members include empty nesters, retirees, caregivers, people starting over after divorce or loss, new parents, people who recently relocated, and anyone who simply wants more meaningful connection in their life.

Many of our members are in vulnerable moments. That shapes everything about how we expect people to treat each other here.

Be Kind. Be Real. Show Up.

Be kind. Treat every member the way you'd treat a neighbor who just moved in next door. Assume good intentions. Extend grace. Remember that the person on the other side of the screen might be having the hardest day of their life.

Be real. Use your real name. Share your real story. Don't pretend to be someone you're not. Authenticity is the foundation of trust in Village.

Show up. If you RSVP for a Seat at My Table dinner, show up. If you join a Circle, participate. If someone reaches out, respond. Showing up is the whole point.

What's Not Allowed

Harassment and Abuse

• No bullying, intimidation, threats, or personal attacks
• No hate speech based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic
• No doxxing (sharing someone's private information without consent)
• No stalking or unwanted persistent contact
• No sexual harassment or unwanted sexual attention of any kind

Romantic and Sexual Content

• Village is not a dating app. Do not use it as one.
• No romantic or sexual solicitation
• No sexually explicit content, images, or language
• No requests for dates, romantic relationships, or physical intimacy
• If a mutual romantic connection develops naturally between members, take it off Village. The app is for community, not coupling.

Scams and Financial Exploitation

• Do not ask members for money, loans, or financial assistance
• Do not solicit donations for personal causes
• Do not promote investment schemes, multi-level marketing, or get-rich-quick offers
• Do not ask members to send money outside the app for any reason
• Send a Coffee credits are symbolic gestures — do not attempt to convert them to cash

Commercial Activity

• Do not promote your business, products, or services
• Do not recruit members for commercial purposes
• Do not use Village as a marketing or sales channel
• Do not distribute spam or unwanted promotional content

Misinformation and Deception

• Do not create fake profiles or misrepresent your identity
• Do not share health misinformation or medical advice
• Do not impersonate another person, organization, or Village staff
• Do not spread false or misleading information about other members

Harmful Content

• No content that promotes or glorifies violence, self-harm, or substance abuse
• No content that exploits or endangers vulnerable people
• No political campaigning, partisan recruitment, or election-related solicitation
• No religious proselytizing or recruitment for religious organizations

Safety and In-Person Meetings

Village may facilitate in-person connections through features like Seat at My Table and local Gatherings. Your safety is your responsibility, and we take it seriously.

Before meeting someone in person:

• Meet in a public place for the first time
• Tell a trusted friend or family member where you're going and who you're meeting
• Drive yourself or use your own transportation
• Trust your instincts — if something feels off, leave
• Do not share your home address until you're comfortable

Report anything that makes you feel unsafe. We would rather receive 100 reports that turn out to be nothing than miss one that matters.

How to Report

If you see behavior that violates these guidelines or makes you feel unsafe:

• On any profile: Tap the report button (available on every profile)
• In any message: Long-press the message and select "Report"
• In any Circle: Tap the menu and select "Report"
• By email: Contact us at hello@village.app

All reports are reviewed by a human. We take every report seriously. You will never be penalized for making a good-faith report.

Blocking

You can block any member at any time for any reason. Blocking is:

• Instant
• Private (the blocked person is not notified)
• Permanent (unless you choose to unblock)
• No explanation required

You do not need to justify blocking someone. If someone makes you uncomfortable, block them.

Enforcement

Violations of these Community Guidelines may result in:

• A warning
• Temporary suspension of your account
• Permanent removal from Village
• Reporting to law enforcement (in cases involving threats, illegal activity, or imminent danger)

We reserve the right to take action at our sole discretion, including removing content or accounts without prior notice.

A Note About Vulnerability

Many Village members are going through the hardest chapter of their life. They joined because they're lonely, grieving, starting over, or simply looking for someone who understands.

That vulnerability is sacred. Do not exploit it. Do not take advantage of it. Do not weaponize it.

If you're here to genuinely connect with other humans — welcome. There's room for you here.

If you're here for any other reason — this isn't the place.

Changes

We may update these Community Guidelines from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the app or by email.

Contact

Questions about these guidelines? Contact us:

Village, Inc.
Zoe Soppeland, Founder
Email: hello@village.app
Phone: 661-341-7688
Tampa, Florida

See also our privacy policy and disclaimer and terms of service.

Nobody should have to do life alone.