Lincoln Park Village to host two informational meetings in Lake View
CHICAGO Feb. 27, 2014 Lincoln Park Village, a leader in the pioneering village movement that is changing the landscape of aging in America, is hosting two informational meetings— onSaturday, March 15 from 3-5 pm at the Lake View Presbyterian Church (Corner of Addison and Broadway) and on Thursday, March 20 from 3:30-5:30 pm at TimeLine Theater, 615 W. Wellington.
These gatherings, open to all at no charge, will introduce attendees to Lincoln Park Village and to the village movement, now a national phenomenon coast to coast: The number of villages registered with the Village to Village Network has soared to 124 in 2014 – up from 50 in 2010. Lincoln Park Village is a nonprofit membership organization whose members stay connected, remain independent, find new friends and new ways to thrive, to contribute, to have fun — and get help if they need it.
Dianne Campbell, founding executive director of Lincoln Park Village, will speak at the meetings, as will some of the 375 Village members who are eager to answer questions about their experiences. Attendees will learn exactly how the village serves people age 50-plus throughout Chicago’s north side, including the benefits of membership, the costs, and much more. Adult children also are encouraged to attend.
Key to the village concept is seeing older adults as a valuable asset within their communities, and supporting them as they care for and about each other, thus lessening the strain on family and community resources. In this paradigm, everyone wins. According to Census Bureau projections, the population of adults 65-plus will more than double between now and 2050, to 80 million. And, as they do now, most of these older adults will want to live independently in their communities, with an occasional helping hand.
With its weavings of volunteers (for everything from free rides to help with snow shoveling to home tech support), vetted and discounted services, and seemingly endless social and educational opportunities, Lincoln Park Village represents ongoing independence — for a generation that redefined the meaning of the word — and living well. In addition, 20 per cent of Village members currently are supported by the Member-Plus program, which ensures that all neighbors, regardless of income, can join and integrate fully into Village life.