#reshapingaging

We’re so proud of all the residents, volunteers and staff at Norwood Crossing for, once again, putting on a wonderful show and for creating some beautiful artwork. Click the picture to see some more pictures from the show.

Norwood Crossing resident, Lucille J. (pictured at the annual fashion show last year), has some mid-week humor for us.

Had to share. :)

Over breakfast, a woman told her husband, "I'll bet you don't know what day it is."

"Of course I do," he answered, as if offended, and left for the office.

At 10am, a dozen roses arrived at the house. At 1pm, an enormous box of chocolates was delivered. At 3pm, a designer dress was delivered.

Pictured-Norwood Life Society CEO Michael Toohey (left) and Director of the Norwood Park Senior Center, Keith Chase-Ziolek.

Recently, Norwood Life Society was awarded the Life Service Network (now Leading Age Illinois) 2014 Community Impact Award for our involvement in the success of the Norwood Park Senior Center. We would like to congratulate the Director, Keith Chase-Ziolek, for his hard work and dedication to the seniors in the Norwood Park community. Below is a bit about the Senior Center.

Starting up four years ago, the Norwood Park Senior Center (5801 N. Natoma, Chicago) quickly built an identity as a hotbed of activity for seniors in Norwood Park. Growth has been steady and the Center now has over 1,000 members and serves an average of 125 area seniors per day. Fitness and wellness programming are most popular, but senior-led programming now makes up a substantial portion of the Center's activities. Volunteerism has also spilled out from the Senior Center into the community-at-large.

The Norwood Park Senior Center is the culmination of years of effort by the Norwood Life Society, area politicians, the local department on aging, and local seniors groups. Together, they were able to get the City of Chicago's support, overcome community zoning concerns, and build a Center that is a jewel in the community, staff it with selfless, dynamic leaders, and build something great. Now, seniors in Norwood Park have a place to exercise, socialize, break bread, volunteer, and give back. They make certain to have fun doing it too!

The City of Chicago was responsible for building the Senior Center and the Chicago Park District performs maintenance and housekeeping. Norwood Life Society pays salaries for the Director and other staff and the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services provides basic programming for the members. This public/private partnership has allowed the Senior Center to continue to play an essential role in helping to strengthen the fabric of the neighborhood and community. Speaking on this unique partnership, Norwood Life Society CEO, Michael Toohey, "we appreciate that our involvement in the Norwood Park Senior Center is right for us, for the community, and for the elders that live among us - a mission-driven endeavor from the heart." The success of the Senior Center has also greatly benefited from an excellent ongoing relationship with 41st Ward Alderman, Mary O'Connor and her staff.

To learn more about the Norwood Park Senior Center, please visit: www.npseniorcenter.org