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Vital Living News
September 2025
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Vital Living supports an intergenerational community that values and respects everyone, increases understanding and engagement, and focuses on health and well-being for all generations.
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*NE Day Spot Friend Volunteers Needed!*
Fridays|9:30AM-1:30 PM
4th Saturday of the Month|9:30AM-1:30PM
NE Day Spot Friends play an important role during our dementia-friendly NE Day Spot Respite Program. On Fridays from 9:30AM-1:30PM, you will socialize with participants, provide support during activities, and help with setup and cleanup. Join us and make a difference in the lives of local adults and caregivers-and have fun doing it! No hands-on care required.
Some of the perks of being a NE Day Spot Friend are:
- Laughing and smiling until your cheeks hurt while swapping jokes and stories in our coffee hour.
- Getting your body moving and grooving for the day with some group stretches.
- Enjoying and participating in musical activities led by talented musicians.
Help give individuals facing dementia a welcoming space they associate with friends and fun. You would also allow caregivers the priceless gift of time—moments to themselves in order to recharge, relax, or accomplish a task. A small window in their week where they can breathe and take a moment for themselves with the reassurance that the person they care for is safely enjoying themselves too. Flexible scheduling!
Questions about volunteering as a NE Day Spot Friend or additional Vital Living volunteer opportunities? Contact Caitlin at 612-787-4023 or cenright@esns.org.
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Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance Beginner Class
Mondays & Thursdays |10:30-11:30 AM
September 22 - December 11
Via Zoom
Tai Ji Quan uses fluid, mindful movements to help participants reduce the risk of falls by improving balance, muscle strength, flexibility, and mobility. These one-hour beginner sessions meet twice a week over Zoom for 24 sessions. If you're not familiar with Zoom, don't worry! We will help you by going over popular Zoom features. We will also have technical support available during each session.
All participants must have a computer or tablet (with a camera and microphone) or a smartphone. Registered participants will receive class information prior to the class start date.
To register, click here.
Questions? Contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.
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Senior Planet Tech Classes
Mondays
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
In-person
The Vital Living Program at East Side Neighborhood Services is partnering with Senior Planet from AARP to help older adults use technology to learn new skills, save money, get in shape, and make new friends. We hope you can join us!
September 1: No Class (Labor Day)
September 8: Using Voice Assistants
September 15: Finding Money-Saving Programs Online
September 22: Banking and Finance Apps at a Glance
September 29: Intro to Sleep Technologies
For all tech classes, we will be gathering in our Tech Lounge on the second level of East Side Neighborhood Services. All materials needed will be provided. No cost for these classes. Please register in advance.
For questions and to register, contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.
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Drop-In Tech Time
Wednesdays
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
In-person
If you have a specific tech question and want 1:1 support, please consider stopping by for our Drop-In Tech Time!
We can help with day-to-day questions regarding things like how to search the internet, app functions, making text bigger, etc. We appreciate if you let us know in advance when you plan on stopping by. If you need support and Wednesdays do not work for you, please feel free to call and we can try to find a different day that works better.
For all drop-in tech support sessions, we will be gathering in our Tech Lounge at East Side Neighborhood Services. No cost for this service but donations are welcome.
For questions and to register, contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.
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Vital Fitness
Thursdays Weekly|10:30-11:30 AM
In-person
All abilities are encouraged to come. Movements can be done seated or standing.
A wide variety of balance, strength, and flexibility movements will be incorporated into this fun and social group class. No cost. Pre-registration is helpful for planning purposes but not required.
Questions? Contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org.
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Vital Living Book Club
2nd Saturday of the Month | 9:00-10:00 AM
Via Zoom
Enjoy reading and looking for a friendly group to be a part of? Bring your coffee and join our statewide book club online.
As we are all living more days, we explore reframing the idea of aging as opportunity — the opportunity to reach out to other generations, share wisdom, and learn new ways of living in the world — through the discussion of engaging books.
September 13th: A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France by Steve Hoffman
October 11th: Wrinkles by Paco Roca
November 8th: The Maid by Nita Prose
To register, click here.
Questions? Contact 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org
Haven't read the book? Still come and meet us. New to Zoom? We can help you get connected.
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NE Day Spot
In-Person Respite
Fridays Weekly|10:00 AM-1:00 PM
4th Saturday of the Month|10:00AM-1:00PM
Experiencing dementia doesn't have to mean a loss of connection. This is a place for you.
NE Day Spot is a gathering place for those with mild to moderate memory loss or other chronic health conditions to be in community while caregivers have a reliable break each week. Enjoy gathering together with art, music, conversation, and movement alongside volunteers, participants, and Vital Living staff.
Every Friday, this event aims to be a welcoming space for:
- Persons 65+ receiving care from others
- Those living with memory loss or other chronic conditions
Requirements: Pre-assessment necessary to determine eligibility.
Cost: Suggested donation based on sliding fee scale, $0-$45 per day. Space is limited.
Contact Vital Living at 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org for more information.
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LGBTQ+ Caregiver Group
2nd Thursday of the Month | 3:30-4:30 PM
Via Zoom
Build a support system with people who understand.
This group is specifically designed for LGBTQ+ caregivers who are supporting someone diagnosed with any type of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Association® caregiver support groups, conducted by trained facilitators, are a safe place for caregivers, family and friends of persons with dementia to:
• Develop a support system.
• Exchange practical information on caregiving challenges and
possible solutions.
• Talk through issues and ways of coping.
• Share feelings, needs and concerns.
• Learn about community resources.
Contact Vital Living at 612-787-4086 or VitalLiving@esns.org for more information.
Click here to learn more about Alzheimer's Association caregiver programs and resources.
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Caregiver Survey
Many people don’t think of themselves as caregivers-but if you help a family member, friend, or neighbor, you may be one. Caregivers often:
- R – Recognize: Notice and respond to the needs of a loved one
- A – Assist: Provide practical help with daily activities or medical needs
- I – Include: Keep loved ones connected to family, friends, and community
- S – Support: Offer encouragement, understanding, and companionship
- E – Engage: Advocate for their wellbeing and coordinate care
Family caregivers are unique because their primary relationship is personal-as a spouse, partner, sibling, child, grandchild, neighbor, or friend-yet they also provide essential care and support.
If you are a caregiver now, have ever been one in the past, or know someone who is, we invite you to take our short survey.
Your input will greatly help us better respond to the needs of caregivers and strengthen support in our community.
Click Here to take the survey
If you are interested in being added to our Caregiver Newsletter mailing list, please email vitalliving@esns.org.
| | Resources for Vital Living | | |
Accessible Transportation No Longer Available
The Transportation team at East Side Neighborhood Services provided transportation for people 60+ living in North, Northeast, and Southeast Minneapolis and St. Anthony Village for over three decades.
Tracy Thoraldson, ESNS Transportation Director of 19 years, had these words to share with you:
"It has been my honor to serve all of you for nearly 2 decades. I have met so many wonderful people in my time with this community. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of your lives. I am saddened that this time with you is ending and know it is a big change. Please know Vital Living will gladly help find you some resources for transportation if you need. Wishing you all well and thank you!"
-Tracy
Alternative Transportation Resources:
Metro Mobility
Metro Mobility Link, Click Here
Service Center Phone: 651-602-1111 Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4 PM
Metro Micro
Option for North Minneapolis, Roseville and Woodbury area residents:
Metro Micro link, Click Here Call 651-602-1170 to book a ride or for more information
Metro micro uses ADA-accessible minibuses, so we can travel on city and neighborhood streets, providing fast, safe, and convenient service with minimal wait times.
Transfers between Metro micro, local bus, and METRO lines are free. Transfers are valid for 2 1/2 hours. You can pay with cash, a Go-To Card (including TAP card, Metropass, College Pass, Universal Pass, Residential Pass, or Student Pass) or with the Metro Transit app.
Help at Your Door
Help at Your Door Link, Click Here
Call (651) 642-1892 for rides and more information.
"With a team of personal drivers, we can get you where you want to go.
- We can take you to appointments and anywhere else within the seven counties we serve.
- Do you have a list of errands to run? No problem. We can make multiple stops and wait for you.
- Want a friend to come along? Rides can be accompanied at no extra charge."
Transportation: $12
One-way trip up to 15 mins or sliding scale based on age and income*" *rides over 10 miles may have additional fees: above info from Help at Your Door Website
Please call Vital Living at 612-787-4023 or email vitalliving@esns.org if you need additional resources.
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Friends & Co. Coffee Talk
Did you know that just one phone call can make your day? Give it a try!
Coffee Talk is a free drop-in phone line, from Friends & Co. It offers you an easy and instant way to engage with a caring Coffee Talkers in conversation.
With words of encouragement and an understanding ear, we are ready to meet you wherever you are on your unique journey. Using Coffee Talk is as easy as dialing your telephone. It’s completely free, and there is no need to worry about giving any personal information or feeling embarrassed about calling. Your privacy is our priority.
If this sounds like you, we invite you to join us at “the table” with your favorite morning beverage to start your day. We guarantee good company and an engaging conversation!
Interested in being a Coffee Talker, we’re always looking for volunteers to join our team!
Hours of Service: Monday – Friday, 8 am-Noon
Contact Emma with Friends & Co. at 612-746-0746.
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Let’s Do Lunch Café
2nd Tuesday and 4th Friday of the Month
11:30am to 1:30pm in partnership with the Wilder Foundation
Let’s Do Coffee & Let’s Do Lunch Café bring together older LGBTQ+ community members for coffee/lunch and connection “on the house.”
These gatherings offer an excellent opportunity for social interactions and educational programs, all in a warm and welcoming environment.
NO RSVP is required. Let's Do Lunch Café is made possible by Prime Timers MSP and Friends & Co.
*Note: The Friday date has been changed to Thursday September, 25th from 11:30-1:30.
In order to create safe spaces for our LGBTQ+ community, Friends & Co. does not post the venues for any of these events on our website. They encourage people to click here to visit their website and sign up to receive the specific details of each event.
Let’s Do Coffee is made possible by Queermunity, FamilyMeans and Friends & Co.
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Let’s Do Coffee!
Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday| September 10| 9:30-11:00AM | in partnership with FamilyMeans
Thursday| September 18| 9:30-11:00AM | in partnership with Queermunity
In order to create safe spaces for our LGBTQ+ community, Friends & Co does not post the venues for any of these events on our website. We encourage people to click here to visit their website and sign up to receive the specific details of each event.
Let’s Do Coffee is made possible by Queermunity, FamilyMeans and Friends & Co.
Click here for more information or call 612-721-1400
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Vital Fitness Home Edition
Recordings Via YouTube
Improve balance, strength, and coordination with this online all-abilities exercise class. To see previous class recordings, please visit our YouTube page.
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Vital Living Guided Meditation
Take a moment to relax with a guided audio meditation! During high stress times, it's too easy to let self-care fall by the wayside.
If caregiving for a relative, partner, neighbor, friend, or child is causing difficult emotions, contact our Vital Living team at VitalLiving@esns.org for support and resources.
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East Side Resources
East Side Neighborhood Services
1700 Second Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413
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