Summer – and any season – can be isolating for many older adults, but it doesn’t have to be. Just ask Marguerite, an older adult who has lived on Chicago’s South Side for the last 37 years.
She’s ready for summer vacation, and knows she’ll find welcoming people at LBFE and a place to go.
Last summer, and several summers before that, Marguerite found an engaging way to connect with older adults, volunteers, and LBFE staff at Audrey’s House, LBFE’s program and vacation center in Batavia, IL. Each summer, older adults vacation for a few days at Audrey’s House. ‘It’s nice for older adults to have somewhere to go, meet people, and have something to look forward to,” says Marguerite. “It’s a beautiful place.”
Like many older adults who are on their own, Marguerite says she hasn’t gotten out much since the pandemic. “Many seniors like me can’t get around,” she adds. “I see people at my church, but many times I just can’t get out and don’t see other people.”
Indeed, Audrey’s House is a place where adults can gather together and share a meal, spend a little down time relaxing, and enjoy the outdoors. Every day, the program is full of activities, including games, painting, growing plants, enjoying a special event like Blues and Barbeque, or engaging in other forms of recreation. The program is also flexible: When extreme heat hits the region, for example, the program adapts to ensure the safety of all participants. For example, a recent planned boat trip was shifted to a movie outing during a nearly week-long heat wave.
Located on five acres of wide-open green space, Audrey’s House has welcomed more than 1,400 older adults over the years for a day trip, overnight stay, or three-night, four-day vacation.
For Marguerite, though, just hanging out with others during a welcoming vacation is what she remembers best. “The trip to Audrey’s House is a great way to connect with other people,” she says. “It’s like having another relative. Little Brothers makes everyone feel comfortable.”
“Yes, it’s a great place. But even more than that, everybody seems to get together real well. And when someone needs help, we all jump in and help. It’s like family.”
Marguerite has been involved in LBFE’s older adult programs for the last six years, but her connection with LBFE goes way back. More than 50 years ago, she was a volunteer for the organization. “I worked on the board at Hales Franciscan High School, and a lady asked me if I would help plan for a birthday party at Little Brothers. I am a people person and was invited to work with them. I worked at that party, and drove older adults to parties over the years.”
She volunteered for LBFE for almost 25 years. Then, years later, one of her daughters, who lived in Minnesota, encouraged her to contact the Chicago program and is if she could join as a participant. “My daughter said “Why not come back? You know what it’s like to be there for people through the program – and now you can be an older adult in the program.”
That’s exactly what she did. And this year, once again, she’s ready for summer at LBFE.
“I’ve gone from volunteer to program recipient, and now I’m telling friends about LBFE,” she says. “I feel the trip to Audrey’s adds time to people’s lives. Going there makes a big difference to me.”
This summer, LBFE is hosting nine four-day vacations at Audrey’s House. Meanwhile, summer at LBFE will feature many other activities and events – including one-day visits Chicago older adults take to Audrey’s House, our monthly birthday parties, luncheons, visits to older adults in their homes, and much more.