2024 In-Person Activities For You

NEW! Interactive In-Person Events!

Be Well Illinois and Aetna are excited to introduce some NEW in-person class offerings exclusive to SOI retirees to help promote social wellbeing through meaningful, fun and engaging art-based programs. Our partner, SilverKite®, uses the arts as a tool to promote creative engagement, bridge generations, and work towards eliminating the effects of loneliness. Through their programs, they strive to promote joy, build relationships, and strengthen communities - one connection at a time.

We’re kicking things off in Cook and Sangamon Counties this spring (more locations and dates to be scheduled throughout 2024). If you’re in the area and interested in attending, please click the links to register! Class size is limited to 20, so reserve your spot early!

Writing Memoir

Thursday, July 25 | 10:30 - 11:30 am | Village of South Holland Community Center, 501 E 170th Street, South Holland, IL 60473 – Register now. 

Through discussion and creative exercises, we’ll recall specific themes or time periods in our lives that hold significance for us. Reflecting on these personal experiences, we’ll craft memories into short pieces of memoir.    

Facilitated by SilverKite® teaching artists.  

All materials will be provided. Light refreshments will be served 

Movement for Adult Bodies

Tuesday, August 6 | 10:00 - 11:30 am | Crowne Plaza, 3000 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62703 – Register now.

Movement and dance are great ways to center the body and work on balance, strength, flexibility, and agility. It doesn't take a "dancer's body" to learn these stretches, poses and moves. Anyone can learn these basics and use them in everyday life. Join us for this slow-paced, relaxed, beginning movement class to uplifting music.

What You’ll Need:  

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow easy movement  

10:00 Refreshments and social time

10:30 -11:30 Movement Workshop

Facilitated by SilverKite® teaching artists.

Movement for Adult Bodies

Friday, August 9 | 10:00 - 11:30 am | Buffalo Grove Park District, Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089 – Register now.

Movement and dance are great ways to center the body and work on balance, strength, flexibility, and agility. It doesn't take a "dancer's body" to learn these stretches, poses and moves. Anyone can learn these basics and use them in everyday life. Join us for this slow-paced, relaxed, beginning movement class to uplifting music.

What You’ll Need:  

• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that allow easy movement  

10:00 Refreshments and social time

10:30 - 11:30 Movement Workshop

Facilitated by SilverKite® teaching artists.

Watercolor and Ink

Wednesday, August 14 | 10:00 - 11:30 am | Oak View Community Center, 4625 W 110th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 – Register now.

In this hands-on arts workshop, create a unique work of art using watercolors and simple meditative drawing techniques. You’ll explore color, patterns, and composition in this relaxing and creative beginning visual arts workshop.   

10:00 Refreshments and social time

10:30 - 11:30 Art Workshop

Facilitated by SilverKite® teaching artists.  All materials provided.  

Please note that this will be held at the Community Center (not the community college). 

Seasonal Mixed Media Collage

Thursday, September 12 | 10:00 - 11:30 am | Lightford Recreation Center, Maywood Park District, 809 W Madison Ave, Maywood, IL 60153 – Register now.

In this workshop, we’ll learn about and explore different collage techniques. Using these skills, we’ll celebrate the season by combining a variety of materials to create visually interesting compositions.  

10:00 Refreshments and social time

10:30 -11:30 Art Workshop

Facilitated by SilverKite® teaching artists. All materials provided.

Writing Memoir

Wednesday, September 25 | 10:00 - 11:30 am | Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60076 – Register now.

Through discussion and creative exercises, we’ll recall specific themes or time periods in our lives that hold significance for us. Reflecting on these personal experiences, we’ll craft memories into short pieces of memoir.   

10:00 Refreshments and social time

10:30 - 11:30 Writing workshop

Facilitated by SilverKite® teaching artists.  All materials provided. 

Be Well Illinois and Aetna® are excited to offer two new fall prevention programs in Champaign county! These no cost classes, exclusive to TRAIL members, are designed to increase your activity, build strength and improve balance to reduce your risk of falls.

Illinois Pathways to Health offers evidence-based programs designed to promote self-management of chronic health conditions (such as diabetes and chronic pain), prevent falls, and foster individual well-being.

Additional offerings throughout the state are coming soon! 

A Matter of Balance

This class meets for 2 hours weekly for 8 weeks.
Class size is limited to 15.

July 26 through September 13 (Fridays)

9:30 to 11:30 AM

Family Service
405 S. State Street

Champaign, IL

For more information or to register, please call Deb at
217-352-5100 or email dbrooks@familyservicecc.org,
or register here.

An award-winning program designed for older adults to manage falls and increase activity levels. Two trained coaches guide participants through learning and activities that emphasize strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels. Participants show improved balance, flexibility and strength while viewing falls as controllable.

Bingocize

This class meets for 1 hour 2 times per week for
10 weeks. Class size is limited to 20

August 5 through October 10
(Mondays & Thursdays)

10 to 11 AM

CRIS Healthy Aging
Community Room

4116 Fieldstone Rd

Champaign, IL 61822

For more information or to register, please call  217-355-1543 or register here.

This class combines exercise, health education, and the familiar game of bingo in a fun way to get you moving and socializing. The program has been shown to increase older adults' functional fitness, health knowledge, and social engagement.

Each session begins with a warm-up and ends with a cool down. Participants rest while numbers are called for the bingo game, then complete exercises or health education questions. You’ll rest again during number calling, and so on. This pattern continues until a Bingocizer wins the game. Exercises can be completed either sitting or standing.

Coming Soon

• In-Person Cyber Security and Fraud Prevention Seminars to help you protect yourself from falling victim to online scammers.
• In-Person Fall Prevention Program to help you manage falls and increase your activity levels.