Now is the time to learn, explore and discover. Those who make a habit of lifelong learning are happier, healthier, and live longer. Not only is curiosity and learning critical to career success, but provides some of the greatest joys in life. For many, learning follows a formal education as the voluntary, self-motivated, fulfilling pursuit of knowledge. Learning brings many gifts – social inclusion, active citizenship, personal development, sustainable self-sufficiency, and for those who are working or want to—competitiveness and employability.
Research has shown that reading, watching instructional videos or engaging with people---even on the phone or on a Zoom call---reduces stress, improves your memory and your health and gives you a better outlook on life. During the pandemic, many people are discovering new hobbies, learning new skills, listening to audiobooks as they walk, exploring museums, pursuing art and design projects, researching family history, singing, writing, helping with political campaigns, volunteering, and creating new knowledge. All of these things improve well being.
At the Village, we strive to provide everyone with activities that challenge and excite the imagination while building new connections and friendships. We are learning that Zoom events are more inclusive, increase participation and are critical to building a more diverse and knowledgeable community. We will certainly continue with online interactive events---in addition to live events--- long after the pandemic has passed. If you haven’t used Zoom, we invite you to contact us at [email protected] to arrange a help session with a volunteer. This is a wonderful new technology to add to your lifelong learning toolbox. For now, kick back and read about some very interesting people in the Village community!
Best regards,
Darcy Evon, Village CEO
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From the day we are born until we draw our last breath, our brains are malleable because of a phenomenon called neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change over a lifetime. It was once believed that as we age, the brain's networks became fixed. But now, an enormous amount of research has revealed the brain never stops changing and adjusting.
Here’s how it works. When people repeatedly practice an activity or access a memory, their neural networks—groups of neurons that fire together—create electrochemical pathways, shaped by that activity or memory, and that get strong with repetition. "Neurons that fire together wire together!"
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That is why accomplished musicians have a larger auditory cortex compared with the general population and require less neural activity to play their instruments compared to novices. And why London taxi drivers who learn new routes constantly have much larger posterior hippocampi than London bus drivers.
There is growing research on ways to drive brain plasticity in a positive direction and they include listening to music, physical activity, and learning that includes challenge and newness. Forming new pathways can also increase adherence to healthy lifestyle changes that enhance vigorous longevity, health and happiness.
Learning new things will always be good for your brain.
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Learning and the Future of Work
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The Third Education Revolution
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The Atlantic reports that we are in the midst of an education revolution – the third in our history. The first occurred in the early 1900’s when "... the "high-school movement turned secondary schools into a nationwide system for mass education that provided training for life instead of small-scale institutions designed to prepare a select group of students for college."
The second wave in expanding education for a changing workforce occurred with the "college-for-all" movement and LBJ’s 1965 Higher Education Act. Between 1970 and 2016, enrollment in higher education nearly tripled.
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"Now a third wave in education and training has arrived. "...adding more time to education early in life does not seem sufficient in the 21st-century economy. Workers will likely consume this lifelong learning in short spurts when they need it..." This has given rise to a new education industry of on-line courses, certifications, seminars, webinars and more.
One expert characterizes this shift by asserting that "Learning Is the New Pension." Future of work strategist Heather McGowan says, "A pension puts something away for the future—sets aside some current value as future value. I believe that learning is the new future value that we all—individuals and organizations—need to create today for tomorrow."
Village member Leslie McKinney’s story reflects how "third wave" education opportunities affected her highly successful career.
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Technology, innovation and mentoring are important themes in Leslie McKinney’s life. She came to the Village as a member of the third cohort of Ageless Innovators, Chicago’s first multi-generational co-mentoring program.*
Leslie’s feet were set on her path in childhood. She says, "I always liked math and science and was not drawn to the traditional women's roles I saw around me." At that time, she became aware of electrical engineering, and although not yet comprehending all it would entail, she knew she wanted to study it. She says, "I had no role models, but was surrounded by people who encouraged me—teachers at the Magnet school I attended as well as my parents, extended family and community."
She started her career as an intern at Xerox. While there, she earned an M.S. in Engineering and Global Operations Management from Clarkson University. She left Xerox as Customer Service Operations Manager in 2016 to become the Director for the Chicago Chapter of Black Women in Science and Engineering (BWISE), an organization focused on bridging the leadership gap for black women in STEM.
Leslie says, "That talent pipeline people talk about develops a leak when it comes to promoting mid- and senior management black women into stretch positions with bottom line responsibilities. This is a heavy lift because change is needed in corporations, academia and government."
One of her mentors, Kristin Fox, recommended her to Chicago Innovation's Women’s Mentoring Co-op and she was then encouraged by program director, Avery Stone Fish to join the Ageless Innovators program. She was named a mentor for the Chicago Student Invention Convention and for the first cohort at mHUB, Chicago’s first innovation center focused on physical product development and manufacturing.
"We all need mentoring at every stage of life" Leslie says. "I like to be a resource to help people and to do that, you need to keep adding to your knowledge."
Her pursuit of knowledge has led to certification in Lean Six Sigma, methods that provide organizations with tools to improve their business processes. In this discipline, she has achieved Black Belt status. She is also a Scrum Master, expert in the Scrum framework which helps teams work together, much like a rugby team (where it gets its name) training for the big game.
And for Leslie, the big game is coming. "Once we are through this, I plan to launch a business to help innovators move products into mass production."
*Ageless Innovators is a joint program of The Village Chicago and Chicago Innovation.
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Learning and Social Inclusion
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We now understand learning as something that is continuous, occurring throughout our daily interactions with others and with the world around us. As such, learning can have a profound impact on social inclusion. Social inclusion is the process of improving the terms under which individuals and groups take part in society, improving the ability, opportunity, and dignity of those disadvantaged on the basis of their identity.
Village member Armand Cerbone’s lifetime achievements are an inspiring success story about social inclusion.
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Village member Dr. Armand Cerbone’s childhood was filled with fear of what would happen to him if people found out he was gay. This was the start of a lifetime journey during which he became a highly successful psychologist and an important change agent who advocates on behalf of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) individuals.
Prejudice against LGBT people was rampant and he was terrified of being identified as a homosexual. Throughout college at Notre Dame where he graduated in 1973 with a Ph.D in psychology and as he began his practice, he kept his homosexuality hidden until he attended an American Psychological Association (APA) Convention in 1973. At that convention, a group of gay psychologists openly challenged speakers who were promoting Conversion Therapy. Armand said that attending a session where gay psychologists were organizing to change the policies of the APA regarding homosexuality resulted in "turning the key to the lock on my closet.’
The journey has been a process and involved learning all along the way. He believes his work was influenced by growing up with a traditional Catholic orientation to social justice and a desire to make life better for the next generation of people who identify as LGBT. He began to get involved in the movement to address the stigma LGBT people deal within all aspects of their lives including the impact it has on their mental health. He learned effective leadership and advocacy from mentors and by working with others. He, as most psychologists, loves data from research, which he has learned is key to effecting policy changes within APA as well as changes in laws addressing discrimination of people who identify as LGBT. Armand has emerged as a recognized leader in effecting change within the APA and beyond.
Armand served on the Village board for three years and during that time, educated the Village community about the issues of prejudice, stigma and the realities LGBT people face as they grow older. He started the Village’s LGBTA (A for Ally) Task Force which is now an active committee of the board.
Armand has received many awards for his work as a change agent, advocate and leader. He was the first openly gay person to be President of the Illinois APA and was inducted in the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.
At the age of 78 he is trying to decide what he needs to learn next so he can be most effective in addressing the issues around discrimination and social justice for the LGBT community and people of color.
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Learning and Personal Growth
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There are endless ways for individuals to seek personal growth. That is why learning in adulthood is characterized by a high level of autonomy and self-direction, driven by intrinsic motivation and above all – curiosity.
The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley reports that curiosity has been linked with psychological, emotional, social, and even health benefits stemming from our evolutionary development: "The urge to explore and seek novelty helps us remain vigilant and gain knowledge about our constantly changing environment, which may be why our brains evolved to release dopamine and other feel-good chemicals when we encounter new things."
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NASA's Curiosity Mars rover took this selfie on May 12, 2019.
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Underscoring the pervasive value of curiosity, The Harvard Business Review makes
The Business Case for Curiosity. "Curiosity is much more important to an enterprise’s performance than was previously thought." New research has demonstrated that curiosity reduces decision-making errors because it discourages confirmation bias and encourages seeking alternatives. In addition, curious employees generate more workplace improvements and are less inclined to conflict.
Village member Eva Maddox is someone filled with curiosity and it has shaped her remarkable career and life
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Eva Maddox is a woman of such accomplishment that a list of her honors and awards goes back to 1983 and is six pages long. Eva is the consulting principal of Eva Maddox Design Strategies, retired design principal of Perkins & Will and founder of Perkins & Will/Eva Maddox Branded Environments. In 1994, she and Stanley Tigerman co-founded Archeworks, a multidisciplinary design school that provides design solutions for social needs. She was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1992, was honored with the Contract (Magazine) Legend Award in 2011 and was named "Chicagoan of the Year."
Eva’s focus is firmly fixed on learning and a significant part of her learning comes from teaching. A list of her lectures and teaching engagements includes well over 100 organizations. "I have always taught because of how much I learn from young people. It keeps me in reality." Eva also says, "To me, acquiring knowledge is constant. Maybe it comes from my business background but every time I went anywhere -- to a meeting, to a client - I wanted to walk out the door with something useful -- an insight, some information. If we aren’t learning, we’re just stuck."
Eva has always seen herself as a learner and a futurist with boundless curiosity about what will happen next. This skill has been critical to her business and informs her understanding of clients’ needs. On a personal level, curiosity has led her to approach the future armed with knowledge from resources such as Singularity University. She says, "We can’t know the future, but we can educate ourselves and share with students the kinds of tools they will need. "
Eva has served on several Village committees and this work has led her to encourage students to consider the positive impact design can have on aging. She is currently teaching a Capstone Course at the University of Cincinnati, the students’ final project, incorporating all they have learned over five years. The theme of the project is "What if..." and the assignment is to design for a changed post-pandemic world. She has discerned a thread among the students’ approaches to their projects – a sense of loneliness and isolation. With Eva’s guidance and insight, these students will use design skillfully to shape the future, whatever it may bring.
The Village’s summer intern, Emma Cohen provides a glimpse into what Eva experiences with her students. We can look forward with confidence to a future which will be in the hands of people like Emma.
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Meet Emma Cohen, The Village’s summer intern. Emma is pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at Loyola University. She is 25 years old which puts her near the tail end of the Millennial generation. She is the first Village intern who was recruited, interviewed, hired, trained and is working - all remotely and successfully!
At this stage of her life, learning has been her primary occupation with school directing her goals and her day to day activities. After her undergraduate days, she took a two-year break but felt directionless. She says, "I need to be learning to feel connected to communities" an insight that many lifelong learners will recognize. Her decision to enter graduate school was also driven by the realization that she would need more education to pursue what would be for her a fulfilling career.
Emma has found working with adults quite different from her previous work which was all with children. She says, "With children, the issues are those of development and with adults, it’s all about life experience."
Emma has been the beneficiary of valuable life experiences through meeting with some of the Village members with careers in social work. One conversation was with Ingeborg Koehler who impressed Emma with her urgent pursuit of new knowledge to support her anti-racism activities. Another conversation was with Ada Skyles who worked in social service with a law degree and reinforced Emma’s belief that knowledge isn’t valuable unless you can make it work to effect real change in the real world.
Her non-academic learning comes mostly from reading. She enjoys non-fiction, pursuing knowledge to help understand the world around with such topics as psychological illness, sociopathic and psychopathic behavior.
"But," says Emma, "...learning for its own sake is not enough. I want to either pass it on to others or use it to help others. There is no end to the myriad expressions of human behavior and so there is no limit to what you need to know."
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Learning With The Village
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If you are curious, open to new ideas, love to explore, The Village Chicago is the place to be. Members satisfy their ongoing pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional reasons with challenge, social connection and fun!
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Village learning events are developed by staff, members, friends, sponsors, and community partners and always include opportunities to socialize especially now when they are occurring via Zoom. Programs range from the practical (MacTutor), to the thoughtful (Great Books, Great Conversations) to the just plain fun (wine tastings).
The Village presents over 300 events each year and 45% of them involve learning. They include discussions (Saturday Afternoon at the Movies, Tiny Theatre, Men’s Discussion Group, current event and book groups); nature (bird watching, wild flower walks); tours (Chicago by Foot and CTA, Art Institute tours) art (fine art prints, music salons); planning for the future (Medicare one-on-one consultations, legal and financial planning for dementia) and how-to’s (Genealogy Basics).
All of these events occurred because Village members and friends were inspired to share their knowledge with others. They reflect the interests, information needs and curiosity of the Village community. This model leads to the creation of timely one-off events and also to major on-going programs, two of which are described in these upcoming events.
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A Future of Work* Event: Leveraging LinkedIn
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LinkedIn is essential for job seekers and it is a valuable tool that anyone can use to expand their network, both on and offline. Join us to learn how it relates to the re-invention of work and a virtual world, with guest speaker and Marketing Strategist, RaShawn Fitzgerald. Tuesday, July 21, 5:00–6:00 PM, via Zoom. Members and guests free. For more information, call the Village office 772.248.8700.
*Future of Work is an on-going program for individuals dealing with career transitions.
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A Brain Health and Memory Loss Program* Event: Medical Cannabis Series
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The Village is assembling a panel of experts for three sessions, launching in mid-July:
A Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana
With Dan Miller and Dr. Richard Miller
Friday, July 17, 12:00 PM (CDT)
Village Member Dan Miller whose wife, Michele, has been using marijuana to treat her dementia, is advocating for education and fair representation of cannabis. Through Dan's personal experience and the legalization of use throughout the states, he feels now is as good a time as any to spread the word.
Explore the history, myths and facts with Dr. Richard Miller, Professor in the Department of Pharmacology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, exploring its many uses in treating everything from dementia and depression to anxiety and insomnia.
Join us to find out if medical or recreational marijuana could be right for you or your loved one. In addition to science, Dr. Richard Miller is passionate about all of the arts, the lives of animals, the environment and sports. Dr. Miller is the author of,
Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs.
Cannabis Therapeutics
Date to be announced
Harvard trained holistic care expert, Dr. Jordan Tishler and Illinois Women in Cannabis Member, Dr. Ingrid Liu on what conditions marijuana is used for, how it can help and what to expect if choosing marijuana as a treatment plan for you or a loved one.
Dispensary 101
Date to be announced
Thinking of buying cannabis for medical or recreational purposes? Not all seeds are created equal. Take a virtual walk with two Chicago cannabis advocates as we explore a local dispensary.
Please call the Village office, 773.248.8700 for more information.
*The Brain Health and Memory Loss Program provides help for adult children and spouses navigating memory care for family members, plus brain health initiatives that may significantly delay the onset of dementia and related conditions.
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A Message of Solidarity from The Village Chicago
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The events unfolding across the country in response to racial inequality are familiar wounds for residents of Chicago. Too often our diverse community is divided along racial lines, and social injustices continue to disproportionately affect our minority residents.
The Village Chicago stands with Black members of our community. There is work to be done, and we invite you to join us for upcoming events that will provide opportunities to learn, uplift the voices of people of color, and confront injustice and work towards a fully inclusive society.
None of us have all of the answers, but now is the time to listen, ask questions, and take action against racism.
Do you wish to share your thoughts, concerns, or have suggestions for events that center on social change? Call the Village office at 773.248.8700 or email us at [email protected] -- our team will listen and refer to further resources if desired.
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Listen, Ask Questions, Take Action
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Village Engagement Coordinator and Development Assistant, Heather Johnson has taken on an important role in support of Black Lives Matter and police reform. She is an activist who has been involved with Black Lives Matter since 2015 and worked in many movements on her campus in college to hold Purdue accountable for their lack of action as well as helping organize demonstrations in her home town of Lafayette, Indiana from which she is working remotely. Heather says, "This movement is a lifelong pursuit of self education, community education, and most importantly action. It is never too late to start and I would be more than happy to assist anyone with finding resources." Below are some links to articles, guides and books Heather recommends. She also suggests Haymarket Books (
https://www.haymarketbooks.org/) as a reliable resource for these materials:
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Zooming Ahead! The Village Chicago Benefit – Tuesday, September 22, 2020
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It’s a new kind of event – virtual via Zoom, from 5-6 PM, and with all the things that make it fun: opportunities to socialize, raffles, and entertainment by the gifted Lyric Opera Stage Artists who will perform Broadway tunes and favorite arias. Plus ...
Recognizing Inspiring Leadership: The Village Chicago Trailblazer Award
At this great gathering in September, we are proud to announce that Trailblazer Awards will be presented to individuals and organizations in Chicago who have shown outstanding leadership in addressing the needs of older adults and in fostering inclusive communities and workplaces.
Support the Village: Host Committee or Underwriting Sponsor
Support the Village with a leadership gift. Join the Host Committee for $500 or $1,000 and receive recognition and five raffle tickets. Underwriting sponsorships are available at $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 levels and also include special recognition and free raffle tickets.
Click here for details and to donate.
Call for Auction Items
Yes, there will be an auction – an online auction from September 12 through September 21. As always, there will be beautiful items, experiences and surprises that you can peruse and bid on - this time from the comfort of your home. Details to follow.
Right now, we are seeking donations of these items for the auction:
- Silver, gold or artisan jewelry
- Small works of art
- Wines, spirits, liqueurs
- Gift certificate, gift cards, tickets, memberships
- Airline miles
- Vacation homes
- Timeshares
- RV’s
If you have an item that you wish to donate, please send a detailed description to [email protected]. Pictures appreciated, if possible.
Note: Please make an appointment to drop off items at the Village by sending an email to [email protected].
Let's
Zoom Ahead together on Tuesday, September 22, 2020, 5-6 PM - and celebrate with a grand show - at your place. No stopping us now!
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In Case You Missed It:
The Village Chicago Launches Major Program for Brain Health and Memory Loss
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Chicago, Illinois, June 15, 2020 – A generous two-year grant from an anonymous donor has been awarded to The Village Chicago for a comprehensive Brain Health and Memory Loss program. The program represents a significant expansion of the Village’s Health and Wellness Initiative which addresses social isolation, community engagement, and navigating the complexities of health transitions for people over 50.
Click here to read the full press release.
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Every week we are adding more virtual programs via Zoom, including these upcoming events you can register for today:
- (7/2) Coffee Chat BYOC
- (7/2) Short Story Integernational Discussions
- (7/4) Saturday Afternoon at the Movies - The African Queen (1951)
- (7/7) Exercise at Home with Jill Stein
- (7/8) Lakeview Pantry Responds to the Pandemic
- (7/15) All of Us Research Program
- (7/15) Front Porch Discussion Group
- (7/16) Virtual Sip & Sample with The Village Chicago
- (7/17) A Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana
- (7/18) Managing Lower Back Pain
- (7/20) Memoir Writing with Beth Finke (6-Week Summer Series)
- (7/21) Future of Work: Leveraging LinkedIn
- (7/23) I Got Your Numbers (Apple)! with MacTutor
- (7/26) Tiny Theatre Presents Goodman Theatre's 2666
- (7/30) Great American Read Book Club - Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
- (8/5) LGBTA Book Discussion: Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
All virtual events require registration, so be sure to RSVP today! Participants will receive an email confirmation with details for joining via Zoom. See
our web calendar
to RSVP or email us at [email protected]!
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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, intergenerational community, connected to others and to the resources that support growth and well-being as we navigate life after 50 together.
Join us for the
upcoming Virtual Sip & Sample on July 16! For more info and to RSVP, please email Jonathan Tague at [email protected].
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Leadership of The Village Chicago
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Board of Directors
Karen Terry,
President
Nancy Felton-Elkins,
Vice President
Ruth Ann Watkins,
Vice President
Charles G. Cooper,
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
Judith Gethner
Bruce Hunt
Ira Kohlman
Therese Meike
Gail C. Moss
Linda Randall
Leatrice Berman Sandler
Wally Shah
Bob Spoerri
Lois Stuckey
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 member-to-member 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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