Board of Directors

Ruth Ann Watkins, President

Melville W. Washburn,
Vice President

Charlotte Damron, Vice President

Mary Ann Schwartz, Secretary

Robert Spoerri, Treasurer

Harvey Adelstein

Jane Curry

Sally Edelsberg

Larry Elkins

Marjorie Freed

Jack Hartray

John Hobbs

Christopher Horsch

Laurie Regenbogen

Joann M. Ricci

Marcia Opp

Ed Rose

Carol Rosofsky

Richard Stuckey

Dian Weddle

Advisory Council

  Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD

Henry B. Betts, MD

Robyn L. Golden

Robert B. Lifton

Dawn Clark Netsch

Warner Saunders

Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD

Michael Spock

Dianne S. Campbell

Founding Executive Director

The Other 'Social Networks'

By Susan Nelson

 
The term "social network" has much more significance for seniors than the much-discussed movie with the same name might suggest. In fact, social networks--not just Facebook and its cousins--are increasingly being seen as a key to successful aging.

For more than thirty years, social scientists have known and reported that people who stay socially connected live healthier and longer lives. More recent studies show that people who engage in diverse kinds of relationships--being married; having close family members, friends and neighbors; belonging to social, political and religious groups--live longer.

More socially integrated people show less cognitive decline with aging, less dementia, and greater resistance to upper respiratory infections, stroke and even the recurrence of cancer.

The positive implications of social connectedness on aging are so strong, in fact, that some researchers are suggesting that older people be assisted in their attempts to form new social networks, often within groups consistent with a person's interests.

It is in part to fulfill this role that the concept of Villages came about.

In 2008, three researchers at the University of Chicago's Center on Demography and Economics of Aging and NORC (National Opinion Research Center) published "The Social Connectedness of Older Adults: A National Profile" in American Sociological Review. Using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a study of 3,005 non-institutionalized adults aged 57-85 conducted in 2005-2006, the 2008 report yielded important results. One of its key findings is that, contrary to a widespread image of perhaps inevitable social isolation among aging Americans, many older Americans are instead very well connected to one another.

The report found that such activities as neighborly socializing, religious attendance, volunteering and group involvement play positive roles in the process of aging.

These relationships lead to a sense of belongingness, are associated with better self-esteem and well-being and increase access to emotional and social support systems.

Network "density," or more extensive networks in which members know one other, also means that one's contacts are able to share information and caregiving duties and to pool resources. This in turn leads to a greater sense of informal support.

People with larger social networks tend to have better health, especially when interaction with network members is frequent.

Though the size of social networks is of course affected by life events such as bereavement, retirement and poor health, research also shows that, as they age, older Americans tend to shed less meaningful, more superficial relationships in favor of more emotionally fulfilling contacts. It can be assumed that at these times it is even more important to form new networks, such as those to be found in community or religious organizations ... and Villages.

Frequency of interaction with members of one's social network increases involvement. In much the same way, the 2009 survey that Mather LifeWays Institute on Aging and Lincoln Park Village conducted of Village members found that satisfaction with Lincoln Park Village increases with the frequency of members' interactions with the office staff, events, volunteering or use of vetted service providers.

In other words, the more that member put into their Village memberships, the more they are likely to get out of them.  The survey results show that members are doing just that:

• Nearly eighty-seven percent of respondents reported that they had gained a stronger sense of community as a result of their Village membership.   
• Nearly eighty-one percent reported that they had developed or strengthened friendships as a result of their experiences with Lincoln Park Village.
• Nearly eighty percent reported that they had attended more social or educational gatherings and programs than they might otherwise have attended as a result of their Village membership.  
• Sixty percent reported that they felt a greater sense of confidence or independence as a result of their association with the Village.  
• Slightly more than thirty-six percent of members volunteer with the Village. They also report being satisfied or highly satisfied with all aspects of their memberships.  
• Asked if they have skills, interests, opinions or expertise to share with other members, one-third of members surveyed answered in the affirmative.

And now, with the launch of our member-to-member website, these members have an easy way to accomplish that sharing. The members-only website adds an important dimension to the connection, support and community that is Lincoln Park Village. By simply logging on, members can stay connected to the Village, to the community and to each other.  It is an important milestone in fulfilling the Village promise of empowering people to age in place, with peace of mind and enjoyment in the homes and communities they love.

Read more about the Village survey... 

Lincoln Park Village Launches Community Volunteer Program Serving Pre-School Children 

The Village is pleased to announce our first venture into community service.   A number of Village members have expressed a desire to volunteer with preschool-aged children in our neighborhood.   As a result, we have organized a volunteer project at St. Vincent de Paul Center, www.svdpc.org,  located at 2145 N. Halsted St.  A group of Village members recently toured the facility and met with Katy Murphy, the Volunteer Director. The Center's preschool program serves a diverse group of 440 children ages 1 to 5 from low-income working families. It also has after-school tutoring and recreation programs for ages 5 to 13.    

Ms. Murphy is reserving twelve spots for Village members to volunteer on Tuesdays from 9 AM to noon in the preschool children's program starting Feb. 15. Afternoon volunteer shifts in the preschool program are also available. Those who can't commit to volunteering three hours each week can sign up as substitutes. The Village will work to organize carpools for those who need a ride to the Center.Several  Village members have already signed up to volunteer, but openings are still available and volunteers can start at any time.

For those who prefer to work with older children, afternoon volunteer opportunities with children ages 5 to 13 are available in the Center's after-school tutoring program.  Orientations especially for Village members will be offered at the Center on Feb. 8 at 2 PM and again on March 8 at 10 AM.Village members who can't make it to either of those orientations can attend one of the Center's regularly scheduled orientation sessions. For more information, to volunteer and attend an orientation session, and to obtain a  volunteer application form, please contact Melaine or Bob Stephens at 773-348-7553 or melwstephens@hotmail.com

This new project came into being because Bob and Melaine Stephens approached the Village with an interest in volunteering in the public schools. On Saturday, January 15, they hosted a meeting at their home at which Village members and others  discussed ways for the Village to make a difference in our community by volunteering with children.   Also in attendance at this meeting were State Representative Sara  Feigenholtz,Virginia Spitzer, the Executive Director of the Working in the Schools (WITS) program, and Bud Lifton, a Village member and 21-year veteran of  Chicago public school volunteering. Several prospective Village members and parents from Lincoln Park High School were also present. 

A common interest in children and education was apparent as group members introduced themselves at the Jan. 15 meeting. Several former teachers were in the group, including Village Founding Executive Director Dianne Campbell, who started her career in special education. Many group members shared stories of their rewarding experiences volunteering with children.Most agreed with Bud Lifton that they got as much out of the experience, if not more, as the children they worked with.      

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, a Village member who in the past has challenged the Village to get involved in the schools, opened the afternoon's presentation. She plans to be one of the Village's substitute school volunteers. She shared her concerns about the state budget and the fact that government clearly can't do it all.  She emphasized the critical role of citizens, including Village members, in helping our community.   

Virginia Spitzer from Working in the Schools spoke at the meeting and gave us some great ideas and inspiration about school volunteerism. The WITS program offers a host of volunteer opportunities at 28 schools in Chicago.   More information is available about its volunteer programs at www.wits.org.        

We are excited to get started with our new volunteer project and to begin what we hope will become a tradition of community service by Village members.   

- by Debbie Shepard

New Village Members-Only Website Now Open

Please take a few minutes to visit the new online community created by members, for members. It's fun, it's informative, it's interactive--another important way to be connected to our community.

From the website you can communicate directly with other members to discuss, borrow, sell, buy and swap, commiserate, share and engage.

Plus--there is constantly updated, very carefully chosen information on health, caregiving, the arts, politics, technology and more, all culled from the very finest sources. There's too much to describe here--you have to see for yourself.  Just follow these simple log-in instructions:

1. Go to lincolnparkvillage.org. 

2. There you will find "Member Login" asking for a user name and password. Your user name is your e-mail address. Enter this password:  village (all lowercase).

3. You will then be prompted to create your own password. Passwords must be at least 4 characters, numbers or letters only (no special characters).

4. After you create your personal password, you will be taken to a page where you will click "Member Home" which will take you to the members-only site.

Welcome to our Village online community--a unique world created just for you, to entertain, inform and enlighten.

Training sessions to show you how to make the most of the website are being set up for March 2, 5, 16 and 19  on the DePaul campus. Come join the fun and learn all about our new website!

"I haven't been to the training yet, but so far it looks wonderful!" - Betty Dayron

"I really like the member directory; it is very useful to help us stay in touch with each other." - Monna Ray

XSPORT FITNESS: GET IN SHAPE FOR LESS

XSport Fitness at Piper's Alley (230 W. North Ave.) is offering Lincoln Park Village members a very special discount of $35 per month (regularly $49), waiving the enrollment fee of $149 and extending a complimentary 7-day VIP pass.

Dominic Martin, new manager of that facility, explains that membership entitles Village members to a free one-hour fitness assessment with a personal trainer and 25 percent off first-time spa purchases.

The two-story, 61,000-square-foot Piper's Alley location includes a 25-meter pool, complimentary towels, whirlpool/steam room/Jacuzzi, yoga/Pilates studio, full range of exercise equipment, basketball court and full spa and tanning salon. Classes, including several in aquaerobics, are offered daily; hours are 24/7, 365 days a year.

"They employ excellent instructors for the aquaerobics. Hot tub before and/or after makes it feel like a mini vacation!"

- Estelle Spector

Included in membership is two hours free, validated parking at either the Piper's Alley or the Lake View location at 3240 N. Ashland Ave. For more information, contact Dominic Martin at dominic.martin@xsportmail.com or at 312.932.9100.

This membership also includes use of the other 24 XSport Fitness facilities throughout the Chicago area or in Washington, D.C., or Garden City, N.Y.

We are eager for members' feedback on this program, so please call the Village office with your questions and comments: 773.248.8700.

MB FINANCIAL LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE VILLAGE

Special Services for Village Members

This month we are pleased to spotlight MB Financial Bank, one of the Village's sponsors, which has announced plans to make a donation to the Village for every customer who mentions the Village when they open a checking account. This offer is expected to last all year; no expiration date has been set.  The MB Financial checking account that is part of this promotion currently has no minimum balance, no fees, and it offers free checking.  So if you were thinking of starting a checking account, this is a great way to support the Village. 

Linking Village members with helpful community resources is an example of how we continue to add value to your membership. MB Financial has proved itself a valuable partner to the Village by providing one of our members, Carolyn Moore, with banking service right in the comfort of her own home. She needed a document notarized and could not get to the bank.  As Carolyn commented, "It was not convenient for me to get out to the bank and I really appreciated having someone come to my home."  She was pleased with the bank's friendly, efficient service. MB Financial Bank can do various on-site visits to provide other banking services. 

To contact the Lincoln Park branch, located at 2401 N. Halsted St., call Gail Csapo, Banking Center Manager, at 773.832.2033.  For the Lakeview branch, located at 3179 N. Clark St., call Josh Anderson, Banking Center Manager at 773.832.6911. 

We appreciate that MB Financial, a Chicago based financial institution, supports the Village and is willing to go the extra mile to make life easier for our members.     

VILLAGE SPONSORS

         

 
 

2500 N. Clark St.        2401 N. Halsted St.       658 W. Belden Ave.