As 2020 finally comes to a close, let us reflect on a year that brought unimaginable anguish to many but universal hope for a better future. At The Village Chicago, we focused on defeating isolation by bringing engaging virtual events to life in your homes, building friendships, making deliveries, and helping Chicagoans in need. I was inspired by our shared humanity and kindness at every turn.

Members of the Village community reacted to the pandemic by saying, “I can do more,” and they did. Volunteers of all ages made thousands of connections and strengthened our inclusive social network and services for people over 50. As everyone worked to keep people safe and happy in their homes, help those in the workforce, and offer assistance to the unemployed, we focused on common bonds and found strength and purpose in helping one another.

Relationships and sharing define us as people and as a community of kindred spirits. This holiday season, please remember to reach out to friends, acquaintances, and perfect strangers. Volunteer for your favorite organizations, make donations, share your knowledge and expertise, and engage with others.

We hope that you will consider joining the Village as a member, supporter, partner or Village Champion. Click here for more information. Regardless, you have our very best wishes for the holidays and a New Year filled with promise, joy and friendship. We look forward to seeing you soon—on Zoom or in person.

Warm regards,

Darcy L. Evon

CEO

When Village members ask for a referral or service, the staff is thoughtful and intentional about matching people who may have the basis for a stronger connection.

Two years ago when Village member Janice Gerstein asked for a volunteer to help with her computer skills, she was introduced to Sarah Rosenwinkel and the two of them started off as teacher and student (both are pictured together at left).

About six months into the relationship, Janice invited Sarah to dinner and Sarah said yes. Janice says, “I was surprised because of the great difference in our ages, (50+ years) and I didn’t want to overstep the boundaries of our relationship.” They both had a great time and have continued to share meals and spend time together outside of the computer tutoring.

Two years have passed and now Sarah says, “Janice and I are good friends. I no longer see myself as someone who goes there only to help her. We talk about our lives about the world --- we give each other advice. She is a great mentor for me because I am a new therapist and she has a background in social work.

Janice says, “We are joined by common experiences – we talk about her relationships, my relationships, the bumpy road life presents and how to get over the bumps. Through her eyes, I have acquired a greater understanding of how life works for me.”

Both have powerful feelings of gratitude for this journey that started as teacher and student and has become so much more.

“When you are a kid you never even think that you will be 60 years old one day, with a wife, a house, a business, two kids in college, and a mother in her 80’s – let alone that you will be attending your tai chi class virtually.” But that’s how it is for Village member Tom Eley (pictured at right).

Tom has a history with the Village because his mother, Salli was among the first people to become a member. Tom has always supported the Village, joining the Board of Directors in 2018 - but saw it as his mother’s organization.

Not any more.

At age 60, Tom is in the midst of a transition that the Village calls Life 3.0. He knows from personal experience that life can take many directions after age 50. Some 27% of Village members are working or actively seeking meaningful employment while others are retiring, caring for aging parents, or seeking purpose in new ways.

“My wife Victoria and I manage our company together from home, which even before Covid limited our interactions with others. The Village is a great way to share experiences and develop friendships.”

Tom is an advocate for Village programs that bring people together regularly, providing a consistent opportunity to develop relationships, even through the pandemic. There are trivia nights, book groups, discussion groups, and peer support for difficult life situations like pivoting a career or caring for a loved one with dementia.

Tom says, “The Village is a vibrant, multi-generational community. Every member of the Eley family has been engaged with the Village – including my daughter who is my secret weapon at Trivia!”

Bob Hernquist has been a Village volunteer driver for 11 years. He is dependable, creative (scenic side trips!) and selfless. Regretfully, due to Covid, the Village has had to temporarily suspend the volunteer driver program. But that hasn’t stopped Bob.

Bob has come forward to help during this pandemic because, “I am comfortable meeting people and I think most of the people that I drive appreciate having the service.”

“I follow all protocols for staying distant except in the car, and I wear a mask. I have very little concern about catching it myself because at my age, I haven’t been sick since childhood other than a cold. This might not be right, but the idea saves me from a lot of worry.”

Bob is currently helping three special ladies who in Bobs’ words “are not that ambulatory” and live alone. Jacquie Falk speaks for them all – and for the many Bob has helped over the years:

“The man is a prince! He is the ultimate volunteer. There are no words to describe how he has helped me. He has taken me to numerous medical and dental appointments and procedures that I could never have gotten to myself. Sometimes his wife, Dorothy comes along and we all have a great conversation.”

A relationship of peers is not one-sided. Jacquie has a role in this, too. She reports, “Recently after an appointment I asked Bob and Dorothy, ‘Would you like to go to Paulina Market?’ They had never been there and I was able to introduce them to it, which made me happy. She sums it up, “You help me and I help you.”

Eric Mayer, CFP®, CRPC, First Vice President of Wealth Management for Raymond James has seen his clients through a number of financially insecure times. “It’s interesting, he says,”but during the pandemic, people have not been concerned about their finances to the degree they were during the dot com bubble and the 2008 subprime crisis. During those crises clients were very anxious.”

Eric says, “Beginning in March clients became extremely cautious - but with health and other concerns front and center, they were not as focused on their financial situation as in past crises. As summer rolled along they began to pay more attention to their financial situation but the level of anxiety was not as high, especially for those who have a financial plan in place.”

Eric knows this because client relationships are a very important aspect of his work. He is excited about the positive things that have come about due to the pandemic, especially the embracing of technology across all age ranges of his clients and including those who never used it before. Through the use of technology, particularly Zoom, he has been able to have more engagement with clients; and clients have had more time to focus on their finances. He anticipates that even when the pandemic is over, people will continue to use Zoom and other technology as part of their daily lives and to maintain relationships.

Eric is proud of how Raymond James quickly pivoted to serve clients while keeping employees safe. They provided laptops for all associates so they could work from home. This has been welcomed by employees, particularly those who have children.

Meet Lovey Kaur who is a member of the Village’s Bridging Generations Professionals Board – a group of young adults who know the importance of intergenerational relationships in the workplace and in the community. Lovey works for Inspire Senior Care, a firm that specializes in geriatric mental health within long term care facilities.

To help with the stress of the holidays, Lovey has shared with us some techniques that can be used to help people with dementia and their caregivers cope with depression and anxiety.

Thanks to a generous Village member, we have free CaringBands (worth $39) to give to the first 20 people who are willing to try out this new technology and evaluate how well it keeps you connected to a loved one. It consists of a bracelet and a free phone app that enables users to easily send encouragement or automated messages to someone wearing the CaringBand bracelet, even if you can’t speak to them in person. The encouragement is felt as a pulse vibration when the bracelet lights up, letting the wearer know someone is sending love their way. (see more info at caringband.com).

If you would like to try CaringBand, please send a note to [email protected]. We can mail you the device or you can arrange a time to pick it up at the office.

On December 8, the Village held a Thought Leader Series event featuring Moderator Dr. Cheryl Woodson (pictured at left), a master of self-empowerment, who guided three panelists through a discussion of ways to emerge from transitions – even difficult ones - feeling good about life and oneself.

Panelists were the 2020 Village Chicago Trailblazers: Dr. Louise Aronson, author; Richard Eisenberg, Managing Editor representing the vibrant website, NextAvenue.org, and Village member Ruth Ann Watkins, Chair of RRF Foundation for Aging.

Click here to watch a lively discussion of the transitions we face, some of which can be be filled with promise and hope and others that can be difficult such as care-giving, aging solo, downsizing, or moving.

Wouldn’t it be nice to talk to others who have been through some of the issues we encounter in midlife and beyond? While the issues we are facing seem unique, there are people within the Village who have already “been there and done that.”

There’s a lot going on in the third phase of life: managing aging parents, dealing with adult children, job loss/pivoting, job market changes, relationship, finances, etc). Each meeting will begin with a short presentation by a member(s) about the topic of the month with discussion to follow.

If you're not doing anything this Thursday evening, join us from 6-7:30 PM via Zoom for this month’s discussion, Pivoting at The End of a Good Run. Village member David Baker (pictured at right) will talk about his transition from full-time employment at Illinois Institute of Technology to beginning a consultancy and becoming part-time head of Chicago’s consortium of colleges and universities. Free, via Zoom. BYOB. To RSVP, just click here and we’ll send you the Zoom link.

A gift membership to The Village Chicago can be transformational. Give the gift of community, friendship and engagement to a loved one, no matter where they live.

Our Zoom gatherings provide many opportunities every week to make new friends, learn new things, and have fun. For more information, contact Jonathan Tague at 773.248.8700 or by emailing [email protected].

Learn more about the Village by calling us at 773.248.8700 or click here to download the membership application form.

2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700