Village News

Turn the Page on Age Featured in Classic Chicago Magazine

The Village Chicago and Chicago Innovation hosted “A Night for the Ages” on December 7, 2022, featuring a provocative panel discussion of Chicago leaders from their 20’s to their 70’s, including Barbara Gaines, founder of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jimmy Zollo, Founder and CEO of Joe & Bella, Luke Saunders, Founder and CEO of Farmer’s Fridge, and Dorri McWhorter, CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. The first-ever Turn the Page on Age awards were presented to author Patti Temple Rocks and hosts Gail Zelitzky and Catherine Marienau for their weekly podcast “Women Over 70.” Read the article “Debunking Myths on Aging”, featuring an interview with Village CEO Darcy Evon, at Classic Chicago Magazine.

Village Featured in Sunday Chicago Tribune

Chris Sweda///The Chicago Tribune

September 18 | Featuring a beautiful photo of Village members Mel and Pam Washburn (by the Tribune’s Chris Sweda), a recent story in the Chicago Tribune discussed how older adults are using technology to thrive in their communities, and how the Village plays a part. The article begins: “Mel Washburn is a former firefighter, professor and litigation attorney. Whether fighting fires in a building, a classroom or the courtroom, he realized once he retired that 90% of his social life had revolved around work. “Washburn, 77, knew he needed to find a way to build a social network in retirement. Washburn also knew that he and his wife, Pam, 75, wanted to continue living independently in their own home. “He quickly learned that technology could play a vital role in accomplishing both goals. Early members of The Village Chicago, a membership-based organization whose purpose is to connect and improve the quality of life of Chicagoans over 50, the Washburns now socialize through both in-person and Zoom events. And they rely on technology to maintain a safe environment at home.” Read the entire article, written by John W. Bateman, on the Tribune site.

Village Recognizes Three Trailblazers in Building an Age-inclusive Society

September 2, 2022 – The Village Chicago, a vibrant community network supporting adults in navigating life after age 50, has named three Trailblazers – an author, an individual, and an organization – as part of its annual Trailblazers Awards. “These three recipients are helping to transform attitudes, change policy, and improve our health and wellbeing at every age,” said Darcy Evon, CEO of The Village Chicago. “They have shown outstanding leadership in building a fully age-integrated, inclusive society where everyone’s strengths are appreciated, respected, and utilized.” The three Trailblazers for 2022 are Dr. Becca Levy (author), Dr. Neelum Aggarwal (individual award), and the Jane Addams Senior Caucus (organizational award). (more…)

Village Op-Ed on Ageism in the Chicago Tribune

photo by Ira Nicolai//Getty Images

July 11, 2022 | The Chicago Tribune published an op-ed on ageism by Village CEO Darcy Evon and Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder of Chicago Innovation: “Here’s the thing about ageism. It’s not always malicious, but it hurts. Is there anyone who would say that we don’t want everyone, no matter what their age, to participate fully and to the best of their ability in American society? “Yet in this nation, the idea of living to your fullest potential seems to stop when a person is seen as “older.” Everyone is getting older — all day, every day. So where’s the logic in age bias, even if it’s well-meaning, against those of us who get older before we do?” Go to the Tribune’s site for the entire op-ed.

Volunteers are Central to the Spirit of the Village

April 30, 2022 | April is National Volunteer Month, and before it ends, the Village Chicago would like to thank the dozens of volunteers who contribute everyday to its purpose and goals.

“As a network of members, we’re driven by four guiding principles, all of which point to the centrality of volunteerism to our mission,” says Darcy Evon, CEO of the Village. The four principles are:

Recognize and engage each person based on their unique strengths.
Build a collaborative community where all can share their life experience.
Never forget that everyone has something to teach and something to learn.
Provide a sense of belonging through community.

“Most of our volunteers are members helping members, but we also engage members in serving those in the broader community,” says Darcy. “Furthermore, the Village engages many non-members who want to participate in the Village community.” (more…)

Ready to Watch: Our Thought Leader Event–Ageist, Racist? Who, Me?

March 15, 2022 | The Village Chicago is pleased to share a video of our recent Thought Leader event in which we explored identity, privilege, and the role of anti-racism in our efforts to dismantle ageism.

Titled “Ageist, Racist, Who, Me?” the video features Ashton Applewhite, an award-winning activist, author, and recipient of the Village’s Trailblazer Award in 2021. Her groundbreaking book, This Chair Rocks – A Manifesto Against Ageism, has helped catalyze a global movement to recognize and eliminate age discrimination. She was joined by Village Board Member Molly Matthias of Facing History and Ourselves, Chicago – an educational organization that uses lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. (more…)

Sponsor Home Instead Honors The Village Chicago

February 22, 2022 | The Village Chicago is pleased to announce the receipt of a special grant from Home Instead as the Skokie franchise celebrates its twentieth anniversary of providing home care for older adults. The grant, designated for the Village’s unique Brain Health and Memory Loss program, was one of twenty awards that Home Instead distributed to organizations serving older adults as part of its celebratory “Twenty-for-Twenty” program.

“We are grateful for the recognition of our Brain Health and Memory Loss program,” said Darcy Evon, Chief Executive Officer of The Village Chicago. “It will support our person-centered, strengths-based approach to helping our members and their families.” “We are big fans of the Village, and appreciate its mission of enhancing the quality of life, and the value placed on the social engagement and well-being of the community,” said Michael Melinger, co-owner of Home Instead.

A Special, Intergenerational Valentine

February 14, 2022 | This past Valentine’s day, Illinois State Representative Margaret Croke asked The Village Chicago to share 100 gift bags made by children at the Play2Day childcare center in Lincoln Park. Each adorably decorated bag was unique, and contained candy and educational flyers from Rep. Croke’s office as well as KN95 masks contributed by the Village. Shown here is a resident of Chicago Methodist Senior Services Chicago, a partner of The Village Chicago, receiving his Valentine.

‘Musical Pen Pals’ Plays the Right Note

January 4, 2022 | From the Chicago Tribune: “From February through May, the Music Institute of Chicago paired 25 music students, age 6 to 18, with adults age 65 and over. Every other week, the pairs met to share music and conversation. A grant from the RRF Foundation for Aging made it possible for the music institute to partner with five social service agencies to locate seniors for the program: Highland Park Senior Center, North Shore Senior Center in Northfield, Senior Connections in Evanston, The Village Chicago and Westminster Place in Evanston.” Click here to read more.

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