We support & enrich aging through community building & advocacy.
Arbor West Neighbors programs are open to members and the community at large. Each program is designed to incorporate four Es:
Expose to create awareness
Educate to create learning
Engage to create community
Empower to create change
If you have an idea for a program or want to be a part of the Program Working Group, send a note to Gil@ManagingHorizons.com.
Next Programs from AWN and Chicago Area Villages Collaborative
September 19 and October 17
Come to a two part interactive workshop on managing your life in a time of massive change.
In the first session we’ll dive into the events and situations that are happening and share how we can be proactive to face these changes. Then we’ll look at how these events impact us emotionally and how we cope. In the second session, we’ll focus on identifying what these changes mean and how we can reframe them to positive growth.
Whether your personal changes come through retirement, relationships, health issues or just getting older, these sessions can help you understand transitions so you can manage this human side of change.
If you miss one of the sessions and would like to catch up, Zoom recording is being considered.
Chris Hauri, a long time Arbor West Neighbor member, has a MAAPS degree from DePaul’s School for New Learning in Personal & Professional Effectiveness (shoutout to advisor Catherine Marineau), is certified in William Bridges Transition Work and the Creative Problem Solving Institute. Her transitions include going from dog owner to cat owner, ad agency owner to freelance social media writer and from brown to grey hair.
Session 1: Friday, September 19th Friday 2pm to 4pm
Session 2: Friday, October 17th 2pm to 4pm
Veterans Room
Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois
Click here to register. Please indicate for which session(s) you are registering: S and/or O
Coming Programs from Chicago Area Villages Collaborative
Note: These programs are typically FREE and presented via Zoom. You must register to get access details for each program.
Medical Aid in Dying
September 4, 2025 4 - 5 pm via Zoom
Illinois’ End-of-Life Options Act (SB 9/HB 1328) would let a mentally capable,terminally ill adult with six months to live request medication they may self-administer to end suffering. After clearing the House 63-42 on May 30 andthe Senate Executive Committee 8-3 on April 9, the bill now awaits a full Senate vote. We’ll compare Illinois’ safeguards with the record of 12 jurisdictions where medical aid in dying is already legal, and openly weigh thehopes and concerns so each attendee can form their own view.
Tiffany Noelle Johnson has been serving as a certified Death Doula for more than 8yrs, Tiffany draws on a background in clinical massage therapy and art therapy to provide holistic, grounded guidance.
Click here to register.
Death Doula Discussion
October 15, 2025 4 - 5 pm via Zoom
Death can be a challenging topic to discuss. Many wonder why and how to prepare for it. You will hear about what a Death Doula is, why people benefit from the services provided, what a home funeral is, how to explore your legacy and the importance of preserving it. Death Doulas have facilitated life-to-death transitions for both the dying and those left behind in all cultures since ancient times. The role of a Death Doula is to support and honor the wishes of a dying individual.Pat Bardenett, LCSW is a licensed, clinical, social worker, certified grief and loss specialist and certified death doula. She is coauthor of the workbook, "Peace and Grace at the End: Making Peace with Your Life" and principal of Peace and Grace.
Click here to register.
Arbor West Neighbors
Arbor West Neighbors (AWN) is a grassroots organization of neighbors in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and Austin connected to support and enrich aging through community building and advocacy. Our mission is to empower adults to thrive as we age in community.
Our vision is to build a multi-ethnic, multicultural community where all older adults are valued, age with dignity, and enjoy opportunities for growth and engagement.
We are an all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization with over 120 members.