In his role as primary caregiver for wife Michele who has mild cognitive disorder, Village member Dan Miller attended the Village’s Support Group for Care Partners of People with Dementia. Through the sessions, Dan learned the forms of dementia, their potential severity, and the paths they take. He says, “This knowledge gives me credibility with the neurologists. It gives me confidence and courage.” But, he says, “The best part of these sessions is the shared experience. There is no stigma, we don’t have to go back to square one and explain everything—it’s understood. And there’s humor—it’s not a pity party. It has been instructive and invigorating. It helps to have companions along the way.”

Bob and Dorothy Hernquist were among the very first people to join the Village in 2009. They joined not only because they loved the idea of community but because they wanted the opportunity to volunteer – and they both do. Bob has logged countless miles as a volunteer driver. It was Bob who gave Dot and Jim Fitzgerald one of their first rides in Chicago. He drove them to their appointments but once he learned they had just moved here, he also took them on a tour of the city including the underpass art beneath Lake Shore Drive. In the beginning, Bob volunteered simply out of a desire to be of help. But as the years went by, Bob says, “I found that I was getting at least as much out of it as my passengers and won’t stop, because I so much enjoy meeting other members.”

Village board member David Baker flunked retirement when he left Illinois Tech as the VP External Affairs and subsequently was named Executive Director of America’s Urban Campus, the city’s consortium of universities and colleges. He signed up for Ageless Innovators,* Chicago’s first multi-generational reciprocal mentoring program. David (Boomer) was paired with Kelly Page (Millennial) from whom he learned some new social media skills for his organization.” She mentored me in how to do it, organize it, and stick with it.” He in turn guided her through the decision-making process around a major career change. Kelly says, “When individuals have similar aspirations and outlooks, age is not a barrier to connection.”

* Ageless Innovators is a joint endeavor of The Village Chicago and Chicago Innovation.

In the middle of the brutal winter of 2014, Dot and Jim Fitzgerald’s four daughters (one of whom is Village member Diane Fitzgerald) each made a pitch for why Dot and Jim should move from their familiar surroundings on Long Island, to a city closer to one of the daughters. Chicago won. Once here, The Village Chicago was instrumental in helping the Fitzgerald’s build their community. They become friends with their volunteer driver and his wife, the volunteer computer guru who helps them with tech issues, and many others through attending Village events. Cheerful, outgoing Dot has brightened the day of many Village members through her special birthday calls. Finding a new community through the Village made leaving their old one a good, happy decision.