On Tuesday September 24, at the Chicago History Museum, The Village held “Light Up the Night”, our 2024 annual fundraiser. A lively crowd of 220 had a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones at the cocktail reception. This year, though, came with an exciting twist— fun games with prizes that helped boost the funds raised that evening. 

Auctioneer Keith Jones energized the room, and sparked enthusiastic bidding with his fast-paced presentation, showcasing irresistible travel packages and Chicago experiences.

The evening culminated in a breathtaking performance by three talented young artists from Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center. 

This event is important because the Village is important. We are a unique community of people dedicated to each other’s wellbeing, supported by a professional staff, providing vital connections and resources for navigating life after 50. There’s truly nothing else like us.

Thanks again to Judith Gethner and Ira Kohlman, event co-chairs, for their leadership; to the fundraiser committee and staff for their hard work – and most of all to you, our members for your commitment and support.

Chicago (May 2, 2024)  The Village Chicago, the city’s leading community network of friendship, engagement, and services for people over 50 announced today the appointment of Niki Fox as Executive Director effective May 13, 2024. She replaces Darcy L. Evon who stepped down after five years of extraordinary contributions to the organization.  

David Baker, Board Chair and Chair of the Search Committee said: “Niki’s intimate knowledge of The Village’s mission, members, and programs made her the ultimate choice after a thorough search. I look forward to working with her in the coming years.”  

Since 2015, when Fox first came to the Village she has demonstrated her strategic and operational capabilities which, combined with her skills at listening, understanding, and fulfilling individual and community needs, make her uniquely prepared to step into this role.  

In her previous position as as Director of Health and Wellbeing, Fox was instrumental in developing new program and service offerings with a broad range of community partners – including the development of the Village’s best-in-class Memory Loss and Brain Health programs.  

Neelum Aggarwal, MD of the Rush University Medical Center Department of Neurological Sciences says, “Niki has been a tireless advocate for the health and wellbeing of Village members. She also has worked alongside members of our Village Research Committee, offering her insights, and expertise to the various research proposals we receive from Chicagoland institutions and community partners.”  

Fox says, “I am honored to be selected as Executive Director and eager to put my experience to work on behalf of the Village community. As The Village celebrates 15 years of service to Chicago’s older adults and their families, I look forward to the future from this new vantage point, guided by our shared vision of aging well with empathy, passion, and purpose.”  

About the Village Chicago: The Village Chicago is a community network of friendship, engagement, and services for people over 50. We support all aspects of wellbeing through social engagement, an extensive services and referral network, lifelong learning, health and fitness, intergenerational relationships, work, and purpose.

CHICAGO (January 29, 2024) The Village Chicago announced today that CEO Darcy Evon will
step down effective March 31, 2024, to pursue her next chapter. After five years at the helm of
this non-profit serving older adults in Chicago, she leaves behind an exceptional staff team, new
programs, and special initiatives for the organization. She also departs after seeing the Village
Chicago achieve and consolidate the strongest financial position in its 15-year history.

“Darcy has proven to be a remarkable leader by improving the quality of life for older adults and
their families in Chicago, building new programs, expanding our connections and community
partnerships, increasing our local and national footprints, addressing entrenched ageism,
building diversity, and consistently achieving record levels of financial support through the
years–including the pandemic period,” said Board Chair David Baker.

“Working at The Village Chicago has been an honor and a privilege,” said Evon. “Building and
empowering a highly qualified, caring, and entrepreneurial team combined with exceptional
board leadership allowed us to thrive,” she added.

During Evon’s tenure, The Village expanded its intergenerational focus, developed and
launched important programs focused on supporting social connection, brain health, and age
equity, increased its DEI initiatives, elevated fundraising to unprecedented levels, and launched
an annual report and new donor recognition systems. Under Evon’s leadership, the Village
Chicago also expanded LGBTQ+ and minority representation, its loyal volunteer base, and
community partnerships.

“We know that Darcy will remain active in the Village as a volunteer, and we look forward to her
creative energy and insight as we expand in the years ahead,” said Board Member and
immediate past Chair Karen Terry.

The Village Chicago is a dynamic community network of friendship, engagement, and services
for people over 50. The Village strengthens wellbeing through social engagement, an extensive
services and referral network, lifelong learning, health and fitness, intergenerational
relationships, work, and purpose. The vision of the Village is a world where older adults are a
vital part of a cohesive, collaborative society in which everyone can thrive.

Village member and journalist Judy Carmack Bross has a feature article on the Village’s annual benefit, Jazzin’ with the Village, in Classic Chicago Magazine. The article features some great photos of the evening’s festivites! Click here to read the article on Classic Chicago’s website.

​​DePa​ul received the 2023 Trailblazer Award from The Village Chicago, which has partnered with DePaul since its founding in 2009. DePaul was recognized for its support in fostering an age-inclusive city and its commitment to “forming partnerships that bring cultural and social enrichment to the communities that surround it.”

Read more on DePaul’s website.

An article by writer and editor (and Village member) Judy Carmack Bross shares the excitement leading up to the Village’s 14th annual benefit, and profiles the individuals, author, and organization chosen to receive this year’s prestigious Trailblazer aweards. Read the article “Jazzin’ With The Village” at Classic Chicago Magazine.

The Village Chicago and Chicago Innovation hosted “A Night for the Ages” on December 7, 2022, featuring the first-ever Turn the Page on Age awards presented to author Patti Temple Rocks and to Gail Zelitzky and Catherine Marienau, hosts of the weekly podcast “Women Over 70.”

Read the article “Debunking Myths on Aging”,  featuring an interview with Village CEO Darcy Evon, at Classic Chicago Magazine.

September 2, 2022 – The Village Chicago presented their annual Trailblazers Awards. to Dr. Becca Levy Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, and the Jane Addams Senior Caucus (organizational award). (more…)