The Village Chicago’s 2021 Online Auction and Annual Benefit, “It’s the New Roaring 20’s” were great events and a fundraising success! We had the privilege of recognizing three outstanding Trailblazers for building a more age-inclusive society. And the renowned Chicago Sinfonietta gave a delightful concert on Zoom!
Thanks to your generosity, we raised more than $151,000 after expenses, a record for The Village Chicago!
As Village Board President Karen Terry says, “Your steady support allows us to stretch a little farther, reach a little higher and set big goals.”
All proceeds from the Benefit directly support programming and new initiatives at The Village Chicago. Last year, we used funds to fight isolation and loneliness during the pandemic and expand our important Brain Health & Memory Loss program. Individuals and families tell us that these are some of the best programs in the area and tremendously useful to family care partners.
This year, we will use funds to expand our signature programs to help older adults and families managing memory loss, Parkinson’s Disease and mental health. We also will expand our social engagement, educational, and fun activities to include in-person and Zoom events as well as launch a new Friend Finder platform for members.
We will also continue with our popular Ageless Innovators co-mentoring program with our partner Chicago Innovation, as well as career programming and volunteerism.
The Village Chicago is a multigenerational community that is helping to transform the narrative on aging. We focus on what makes each of us unique to create a community of welcome, trust and purpose. Gifts to The Village Chicago help stamp out age-bias, stereotypes and discrimination throughout the city.
Let’s make the 2020’s roar with change and opportunity!
Warm regards,
Darcy Evon, CEO
P.S. At the end of this newsletter, you will find a highlight video of the event, “It’s the New Roaring 20’s!” If you would like to join the brigade, please make a gift here.
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Annual Benefit Highlights |
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We came together on September 21 to celebrate both our achievements and our great expectations for the coming decade.
We are convinced that the 2020’s will see huge transformations – especially in breaking down the barriers that divide us by race, gender, sexual preference and age. We need all hands on deck. It’s time too move forward as an inclusive society with the Village community participating as a model of welcome, trust and purpose.
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Trailblazer Awards
This is the second annual presentation of The Village Chicago Trailblazer Award to an individual, an organization and an author. Each of these award winners has already made a major impact on the new roaring twenties.
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The Trailblazer Award for an individual was presented to Tom Kuczmarski. After he turned 50, Tom co-founded Chicago Innovation and has had a significant impact on breaking down the barriers of age bias and discrimination while building a large, inclusive community of innovators of all ages. |
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The Trailblazer Award for an organization was presented to Town Hall Apartments. Created through a partnership with Heartland Alliance and Center on Halsted, Town Hall Apartments is Chicago’s first affordable LGBTQ-friendly senior housing. This pioneering initiative has been life-changing for its residents.
Accepting the award were Earl Chase for Heartland Alliance; Britta Larsen for Center on Halsted and Don Bell on behalf of the Town Hall Apartment residents.
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The Trailblazer Award for an author was presented to Ashton Applewhite whose deeply researched and exuberant book, This Chair Rocks – A Manifesto Against Ageism has helped kick-start a global movement to recognize and eliminate age bias. Her message: “Aging is not a problem to be fixed or a disease to be cured. It is a natural, powerful, lifelong process that unites us all.” |
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Why the Village Matters – Member Stories
The answer lies in the individual stories of everyone in our community, their friends and their families. From reconnecting the generations …. to finding a new friend … to learning how to care for a loved one coping with memory loss – these Village members shared with us why the Village matters:
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Vamse Kumar Subbiah and Molly Matthias, both in their 30’s and the Village’s newest board members, spoke of the energizing joy of the Village’s multigeneratonal activities.
Oscar Zambrano expressed his pride in representing both the Latino and LGBTQ communities within the Village and being a part of the programs and services that bring us together as a community.
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Carol Rosofsky and Estelle Spector told of their gratitude to the Village for bringing them together in a friendship where they are as close as sisters, at a time in their lives when they needed it most.
Jim Bensdorf cares for his wife who has dementia. He spoke of the isolation that comes with this diagnosis and of the Village support group that he attends with people who are also on this difficult journey and the connection that has changed all their lives.
Video excerpts from these Village stories can be found in the event highlights video linked at the end of this newsletter!
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Fund-A-Need
Donors were inspired by these stories and the knowledge that their gifts have a direct impact on what really matters:
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- Helping hundreds of family members manage the care of a loved one with memory loss
- Boosting social programs that fight isolation and loneliness
- Ensuring that everyone can join the Villager community, regardless of ability to pay
Members and guests stepped up and pledged generously to meet a match up to $25,000 for every dollar raised during the event. It was a thrilling moment with Village CEO Darcy Evon calling out the pledges as they came in – a very exciting time!
Thanks to all who donated! The match will remain in effect until September 30, so if you want to give, please click here.
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Chicago Sinfonietta
The Village was proud to present a performance by Chicago Sinfonietta. Since 1987, they have been an anchor institution in Chicago representing both beautiful music and inclusion as one of the country’s most diverse orchestras. A sample of their performance is in the video highlights of the event (linked further down in this recap).
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Gratitude and Thanks
A huge thank you to Judith Gethner, chair of the event, for her extraordinary leadership and contributions to the success of this event and to the fabulous committee who made it all happen.
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Thanks also to online auction co-chairs, Linda Randall and Ira Kohlman, who assembled the wonderful array of items and to all who participated. The auction raised over $15,000! To view a full list of all donors on our website, please click here.
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Now... ENJOY THE SHOW!
If you missed the live event, you can see the event start to finish by clicking here -- or to enjoy a highlights clip by clicking the image below! |
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A special thanks to our event production team: Laurel Baer, Event Producer / Writer; Richard C. Christian, Jr., Sedgwick Productions, Inc.; Kathy Krick, Designer; Kimberly Lewis, Sedgwick Productions, Inc.; Lance Lewis, Sedgwick Productions, Inc.; Steven Rosofsky, Moving Pictures |
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Here are the headlines that have Village members talking. |
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Restoring a Sense of Belonging: The Unsung Importance of Casual Relationships for Older Adults
From Kaiser Health News
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Multiple studies have found that older adults with a broad array of “weak ties” enjoy better physical and psychological well-being and live longer and in these post pandemic times can restore a sense of belonging. “Weak ties” can include anyone from your neighbors or your pharmacist to members of your book group or fellow volunteers. Read more.
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How to Train Your Brain to Become More Patient at Home and at Work
From Fast Company
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You can train your brain to be more patient. “It’s not a terrible thing to feel impatient once in a while, but you’ll find that patience and wellness go hand in hand. When you take steps to boost your patience, you also boost your mindfulness, your understanding of yourself, your empathy and compassion, and your overall sense of well-being.” Read more.
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How to Discover Your Purpose in Retirement
From Next Avenue
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According to a 2020 Edward Jones/Age Wave study, one in three new retirees struggles with finding purpose after leaving their job. "Purpose is fundamental. It is critical to your health, healing, happiness and ultimately, your longevity." Read more
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Exciting news from the Village. |
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Coming Soon: Thought Leader Events Featuring our Trailblazers!
Dates to be announced
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We are excited to highlight the exceptional work of this year's Trailblazer Award recipients (Tom Kuczmarski, Town Hall Apartments and Ashton Applewhite) by having them join the Village as featured guests in several upcoming events.
These programs will provide a platform for each to continue changing the narrative on aging, embracing age diversity, and advancing the quality of life and well-being of older adults. Look for more details in our next Navigator publication!
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Celebrate LGBT+ History Month with the Village
Join us for these upcoming virtual events
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October is National LGBT+ History Month, and National Coming Out Day is October 11, which commemorates the first two national marches on Washington for LGBT rights in 1979 and 1987. Honor the legacy of our LGBT+ community by joining us for these two upcoming events:
LGBTA Book Discussion
Wednesday, October 6, 4 PM
The LGBTA book discussions are held in a safe non-judgemental setting. All members and guests of the Village are invited to participate in these lively, informative, engaging discussions. This month's books are Faggots by Larry Kramer & Cut Hand by Mark Wildyr.
SAGE Intergenerational Virtual Dinner
Presented by the Village LGBTA Committee
Monday, October 11, 5 PM
Build intergenerational connections by sharing a meal (virtually) and enjoying a panel discussion with special guest speakers Nic Westrate, Karen Morris, and Adam Greteman, faculty members of the Art Institute of Chicago. SAGE dinners tackle the problem of loneliness that affects so many in the LGBT community—especially older individuals. Allies and individuals from all generations are welcome.
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RSVP today for our upcoming in-person and virtual events! For full descriptions and registration, visit thevillagechicago.org.
- (9/30) Great American Read Book Club | Catch-22
- (9/30) Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
- (10/2) Graceland Cemetery Tour | An In-Person Event Presented by Life 3.0
- (10/2) Saturday Afternoon at the Movies | Mudbound (2017)
- (10/4) Memoir Writing with Beth Finke | 6–Week Fall Series
- (10/5) Exercise at Home with Jill Stein
- (10/6) LGBTA Book Discussion | Faggots by Larry Kramer & Cut Hand by Mark Wildyr
- (10/6) Great Books, Great Conversations
- (10/7) Coffee Chat BYOC
- (10/9) Fall Migration Bird Walk | An In-Person Event
- (10/11) SAGE Intergenerational Virtual Dinner | Presented by the Village LGBTA Committee
- (10/13) Death Café: An Informal Conversation About Death & Dying
- (10/13) Renewable Energy with Narinderpal Sood Presented by the Village Men's Group
- (10/13) Fall Foliage Walk & Talk
- (10/19) Mobility | A Healthy Aging 4Ms Forum
- (10/20) From Sarah to Sydney: A Conversation with Alexandra Dunietz
- (10/21) iOS15 New Features with MacTutor
- (10/26) Advanced Care Planning with The Five Wishes
- (11/2) Medicare One-on-One Counseling with Kate Paz from Mather
To RSVP for any event, please visit our web calendar or email us at celebrate@thevillagechicago.org!
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Village Member Pastime Groups |
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Are you...
Looking for a new career, about to retire, wondering what's next? Seeking companions that share your interests? Searching for a way to utilize your abilities? In need of occasional help? New to Chicago? Worried about changing needs? An adult child with aging parents?
Village members are part of an inclusive, multigenerational community, connected to others and to the resources that support growth and well-being as we navigate life after 50 together.
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Leadership of The Village Chicago |
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Board of Directors
Karen Terry,
President
Nancy Felton-Elkins,
Vice President
Charles G. Cooper,
Vice President
Judith Gethner
Vice President
Angie Levenstein,
Secretary
Richard W. Sullivan,
Treasurer
Kathie Kolodgy,
Immediate Past President
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David E. Baker
Donald M. Bell
Patricia Clickener
Thomas C. Eley III
Glen Gabert
Bruce Hunt
Ira Kohlman
Molly Matthias
Therese Meike
Liz Metzger
Gail C. Moss
Linda Randall
Wally Shah
Lois Stuckey
Vamse Kumar Subbiah
Janet Walters
Melville Washburn
Joyce Winnecke
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Advisory Council
Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD
Robyn L. Golden, LCSW
Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD
Mary Ann Smith
CEO
Darcy L. Evon
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The Village Chicago is a social network of friendship, engagement and services for people over 50. We support all aspects of well-being through social engagement, an extensive services and referral network, lifelong learning, health and fitness, intergenerational relationships, work and purpose.
2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700
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