SPEED DATING EVENT FOR SINGLES 60 AND UP!

What is speed dating?

Speed dating is a fun and easy way for singles to meet lots of other singles in a short period of time with minimum pressure and investment.  While sitting across from each other at tables, participants connect for approximately 4-7 minutes and can briefly chat and ask each other questions, before rotating onto the next person at the sound of a bell.   At the end of the event, participants can share with the hosts if they want to match with anyone.  If two people are mutually interested in each other, the hosts will then provide participants with contact information.

Why speed dating?  

You can meet people face-to-face, rather than online, and are in a safe and protected environment run by professionals.

Event Details:                                       

Place:  Niles Family Services,  999 Civic Center Drive,  Niles, IL

Date/Time:   Saturday,   April 15th  10am-12:30

Event is free of charge.   Pre-Registration is required.  (847) 588-8460

10:00-10:30-  Participants welcomed, event rules discussed, waivers signed, a list of potential questions to ask other speed-daters             provided, and all event questions answered 

10:30-12:00-  Participants meet and rotate, while seated at tables 

12:00-12:30-  Participants can stay and mingle.  Refreshments will be served.

Group Spotlight!   Have you checked out these great offerings for Seniors? Be sure to include them in your New Years Resolutions!

Widow and Widower GRIEF Support Group

This monthly group will allow participants to come together in a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere where thoughts, feelings, memories,  and experiences, relating to the death of a spouse or partner, can be openly and freely expressed. 

Participants will also receive grief education, and learn practical coping strategies and self-care practices. 

This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 12:45pm-1:45pm, and is open and free-of-charge to all Niles residents age 55 and up, as well as Niles Senior Center members.

Please pre-register at 847 588-8420.

Caregiver Support Group

This monthly support group is for individuals who are caring for a family member with a chronic physical condition such as Cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Heart or Kidney Failure, as well as a variety of other physical conditions which require a primary caregiver. (Individuals seeking an Alzheimer’s support group will be provided with referrals.)

Participants can give and receive emotional support from other caregivers, exchange helpful ideas and suggestions, learn many types of self-care techniques, and receive information on additional community resources.

Group meets the second Monday of each month from 1-2pm in room 229.

This group is open and free-of-charge to all Niles residents, age 55 and up, and Niles Senior Center members.  Please pre-register at 847 588-8420.  

          Coming in January!                  

OPTIMIZING BRAIN HEALTH

PLEASE JOIN US FOR A LIVELY AND INFORMATIVE PRESENTATION ON HOW TO PROACTIVELY OPTIMIZE YOUR BRAIN HEALTH IN A VARIETY OF EASY, FUN, AND CREATIVE WAYS. 

DATE:  THURSDAY, JANUARY 26^TH

TIME:  10-11:30AM   (Q AND A FROM 11:00-11:30AM)

PLACE:  NILES SENIOR CENTER/NILES FAMILY SERVICES,  999 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE, NILES, IL'

PRESENTERS:

SHARON ROSMAN, LCSW, CERTIFIED SENIOR FITNESS INSTRUCTOR

SUSAN STEIN, REGISTERED DIETITIAN

DR. TERESA BARTTRAUM, NEURO-PSYCHOLOGIST

MELISSA SMITH, “WITS BRAIN HEALTH” PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR AT MORTON GROVE PUBLIC LIBRARY

OPEN AND FREE-OF-CHARGE TO ALL OLDER ADULTS, 55 AND UP.   REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER AT 847  588-8460

***NEW SERVICE FROM NILES FAMILY SERVICES***

A One-time, Free-of-Charge, Wellness Assessment and Consultation for Niles Residents age 55 and up!

This includes a comprehensive lifestyle assessment, followed by specific recommendations in the following areas:

• Diet and Nutrition
• Function and Mobility
• Physical Activity and Exercise
• Sleep
• Self-Care
• Stress Management/Coping Skills
• Mental Health
• Socialization and Relationships 

The assessment/consultation will be provided by a licensed, clinical social worker, who specializes in both geriatrics and wellness, and holds certifications in the following:  Advanced Health and Wellness Coaching, Healthy Aging, Gerontology, Dietary Guidance, and Senior Fitness.

If you are interested in registering for this one-time, free-of-charge service, or have any questions, please call (847) 588-8443 or email slr@vniles.com.   

8/19/2022  -  Department News! 

Niles Family Services was able to coordinate with senior center building engineer and all around great employee, Marco Aviles to bring summer joy to a Niles family. The family of four children received a new Jeep that was provided from Costco. The children’s parent is dealing with a serious medical issue and providing this surprise gift to the family provided much needed smiles from the children.

 

This week the children of Niles have returned to school with school supplies that NFS has provided to families in need. As school returns, our  D63 staff social worker, Yesenia Nunez will continue to provide needed support to school social workers at three of Niles schools in District 63, including Mark Twain, Gemini & Nelson. By providing additional support within the schools, Yesenia is also able to provide information about the services within our department that Niles students are eligible for.  We are looking forward to a great school year in Niles!  

8/12/2022  -  Department News! 

 

Family Services participated in the past week both with the Police Department’s Walk N’ Roll event and Culver School’s Student Registration.  Tables were set up at both events, with give-a-ways of summer insulated cups, Frisbees and other donated prizes.  At the Police Walk N Roll event, children in attendance were able to enter a raffle for a backpack full of school supplies.  There were 5 winners selected from the raffle.  The children were excited for the upcoming school year and their new backpacks. The department is also coordinating school supplies and backpacks for other members of the community that need it for the upcoming school year.   If you know someone that needs a backpack or other necessary school supplies this year, please reach out to our office!

Through an arrangement with the Public Works staff volunteers, Family Services clients got some needed repairs done on their bikes.  The PW department has taken 2 bikes for repair and the Family Services department has collected donations of bike parts and supplies for any future opportunities to assist our bike friendly residents in Niles!

7/21//2022  -  Join Us for this Upcoming Event!

BECOMING A PROACTIVE, EMPOWERED PATIENT

Jointly presented by Niles Family Services and Oak Street Health

        Presenters:  Sharon Rosman, LCSW and Certified Health and Wellness Coach

                               Dr. Laurie Peercy, Gerontologist Nurse Practitioner

Topics Include:

Date:  Tuesday, September 13^th  2022     Time:  11:00-12:30pm

11-11:30am:  Presentation     

11:30-12:00pm  Q&A

12:00-12:30pm:  Complimentary Box Lunch

Free-of-charge to all Niles residents age 55 plus and Niles Senior Center members.  

Pre-Registration Required by 8/30/22.  Please call Family Services at (847) 588-8460 to register.

Attention Niles Residents!   Interested in serving your community?   Check out this great opportunity!

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Deadline Thursday, May 12, 2022 by 5:00 p.m.

Village of Niles Seeks Residents 
 to Serve on the Community Relations Commission

On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the Village of Niles Board of Trustees amended the Community Relations Commission ordinance to better serve the needs of the community. Mayor Alpogianis and the Board of Trustees are looking for interested individuals to play an active role to meet the objectives set forth. 

Members of the Commission must be a resident of Niles. Members will be expected to regularly attend and actively contribute at quarterly meetings and give time between meetings to fulfill the work of the Commission.

Meetings will be held in the evening at a date and time set by the Chair to best accommodate schedules of appointed members.  The Commission must meet once a quarter with additional meetings called at the discretion of the Chair. 

Please read the full ordinance at vniles.com to understand details and updates, including members, terms, procedures, functions and responsibilities.  More information is also available on the Community Relations Commission home page. 

HOW TO APPLY:  

All interested individuals should complete an application and submit by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2022.  Applications can be found here or at Village Hall reception desk.

Submit completed applications to 
 Village Clerk Marlene Victorine 
 mv@vniles.com and cc: kds@vniles.com

For questions please contact (847) 588-8010

05/03/2022 - Social Work Corner  (Posts from the staff of Niles Family Services)

How to Support Grieving Friends and Relatives by Sharon R. 

When friends and relatives experience the death of someone close to them, it can be difficult to know exactly what to say or do.  We are often fearful that we will make someone feel worse by our words or actions, so sometimes we just avoid the person or do nothing.  Yet, research has consistently shown that grieving individuals cope much better when they do receive support.  Grieving alone, without support, can be isolating and make a person's grief journey far more challenging.

Some specific suggestions for how to support grieving friends and relatives include:

1. Listen way more than you talk
2. Avoid giving unsolicited advice
3. Avoid asking lots of questions.  Let people share whatever they wish on their own timetable
4. Don’t offer platitudes such as “They are in a better place” or “At least he’s no longer in pain”
5. Offer to do specific tasks, such as bringing dinner on a particular evening, rather than saying “Let me know if you need anything”
6. Regularly check in on them and offer to get together, doing activities or going places you know they’d enjoy
7. Allow and encourage people to grieve in their own unique way. Telling them not to cry or advising them to "be strong" is usually not helpful and may be harmful
8. Continue to talk to them about their deceased loved one, especially fond memories you have or qualities you admired

Niles Family Services/Niles Senior Center will be jointly offering a monthly grief support group for widows and widowers, starting in May, 2022.  Niles Family Services also offers individual grief support for Niles residents. Please call (847) 588-8460 for information on both individual and group support. 

03/24/2022 - Help for Ukraine

Many residents have inquired about local opportunities to support Ukraine during this harrowing time.   Many volunteers are on the ground providing much needed aid, and some local organizations are sponsoring these efforts.   For those that are interested in donating, here are some local organized efforts:

St. George Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Des Plaines is accepting donations for Ukraine.   They are currently in need of shoes and socks for children age 2–15 years old and medical supplies.   They are also coordinating financial donations.   More info available by calling Vida at 773-732-1451.

St. Joseph the Bethrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Norridge has the "Fond Zakhystu Heroyiv" which for the past 7 years has been providing medical care in the US and Ukraine for wounded Ukrainian soldiers.   This fund also supports the chaplains who serve in the battle zones who with these funds can locally purchase/provide necessities (food, clothing, protective wear, toiletries, shelter) for the soldiers and their families.  More information can be found at https://stjosephukr.com/

Ukrainian Baptist Church (UBCChicago) in Berwyn is working with our missionaries in Ukraine and internationally to deliver much needed supplies to people of Ukraine. 100% of these funds will be used to purchase food, medicine, protective gear, etc.  Please visit our efforts page, for up to date relief efforts.  www.ubcchicago.org/UAefforts