Lunch & Learn 2026

In January we welcome Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Executive Director Jeff Brand. Jeff will give us an update on what’s been happening to help address housing needs in Cook County, including recent new builds and the status of potential upcoming projects. He’ll also give us the scoop on continuing efforts to create more elder housing and assisted living options and provide an opportunity to ask (brief) questions. Register here!   

Our special guest in February is Julie Wilson, Executive Director of Care Partners and a Project Manager for the Age Friendly Cook County initiative. She’ll give us the scoop on what’s been happening over the last year to make our area more welcoming for older adults and share highlights from an Age Friendly Cook County Action Plan recently approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. There will be time to brainstorm together about what’s working for older adults in our corner of the world (and where there’s room for improvement) with the goal of leaving this session inspired and empowered to advocate for a community that’s accessible to people of all ages. Register here!

It’s true that trying to continually navigate through a world of ever-changing technology can be pretty frustrating. Yet it turns out that some of our modern programs, gadgets and gizmos also have the capacity to dramatically improve quality of life for many, many people – including older adults. Join us in March as Kelly Looby with the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living shows us some wonderful techie-type tools that just might actually make our lives a little better! Register here!  

We are happy to welcome Care Partners volunteer, Advance Care Planning Navigator, and retired emergency RN Kathy Reeves as our special guest! Kathy will tell us about the Advance Planning process, including Healthcare Directives and Health Care Agents. She’ll cover questions to consider as we make our choices, provide a brief overview of common end-of-life medical terms, and help us know when to review or revise our advance planning documents.  

Just in time to enjoy our area’s famous summer weather, we’re excited to welcome authors and educators Ladona Tornabene, PhD, MCHES and Lisa Vogelsang, PhD!  They are passionate about helping people feel better on the inside by spending more time outside – regardless of age or physical ability level. They along with another co-author have written a wonderful guide to short walks all along the north shore, some familiar, others not so well known. Come and be encouraged to “take a hike” for fun and wellness!  

In this session, our friend Jenna Pogorels from the Alzheimer’s Association will provide tips for helping people with dementia participate in daily activities. We’ll learn about providing the right amount of support, and balancing safety and independence while managing expectations. This class is especially geared toward those who are caring for a loved one with dementia, but the ideas shared can be helpful for friends, neighbors, and those who are living with memory loss. 

For National Veterans & Military Families Month we are honored to welcome Cook County Veterans Service Officer Karen Christiansen. Karen will help us learn about Cook County veterans and better understand the needs and challenges they may face. We’ll also find out about how to access veterans services and celebrate the ways in which veterans continue to serve and enrich our community. Register here!