New Club Offers Support to People Experiencing Memory Loss

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL -- South West Special Recreation Association and the Palos Heights Recreation Department will debut a new “Memories Matter Club.” The club offers individuals who are experiencing dementia-related symptoms the opportunity to continue experiencing life over a cup of coffee with others in a similar situation. Gatherings will take place every Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. starting Sept. 19 and continuing through Nov. 14 at Trinity Christian College’s beautiful and relaxing Bootsma Bookstore Cafe, located at 6513 W. 123rd St., Palos Heights.

This first-ever “dementia friendly” program was created to inspire self-confidence and encourage those who are experiencing memory loss to socialize, engage and identify with others who can relate. Caregivers are also welcome. Gatherings will be led by a facilitator and trained SWSRA staff and students from the college to help facilitate the new program.

The program fee is $36 for residents of SWSRA’s member districts in Alsip, Blue Island, Merrionette Park, Midlothian, Palos Heights, Posen and Worth) and $54 for non-residents. Register by Sept. 1 at the SWSRA main office located at 12521 S. Kostner Ave., in Alsip. For more information, call 708-389-9423 or email Jessica McNeilly at jmcneilly@swsra.com.

Also, volunteers are needed for any or all of the program dates. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please call Dr. Shaniqua Jones, Director of Community Engagement & Diversity Programs for Trinity Christian College at 708-293-4560 or email her at shaniqua.jones@trnty.edu.