Chicago Celebrates Older Americans Month 2010: Age Strong! Live Long!

April 26, 2010 - PRLog -- Throughout May, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS), Senior Services Area Agency on Aging, is joining communities nationwide in celebrating Older Americans Month by hosting two special events.  This year’s theme—Age Strong! Live Long!—recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans who span three generations.  

“Older Americans are stronger, more active and living longer than ever before,” said Mary Ellen Caron, commissioner, Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.  “They deserve recognition for the contributions they have made to their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities as well as to the culture, economy, and character of our city.”

In addition to providing ongoing services and support that empower seniors throughout the year, DFSS is hosting the following events to honor Older Americans Month:  

•   The 2010 Citywide Senior Conference: May 6, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McCormick Place-Lakeside Center, 2301 South Lake Shore Drive, Room 354b. The themed Age Strong! Live Long! annual conference reflects the City’s commitment and desire for its seniors to enjoy all that Chicago has to offer.  Conference highlights include a resource fair and workshops to help seniors maintain active, healthy lifestyles in their communities.  The Citywide Senior Conference is $13 per person, which includes lunch.  

•   The Best of Serendipity: Celebrating Chicago Seniors on Stage: May 19 and 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion.  In its seventh year of production, Serendipity offers all Chicago citizens the opportunity to enjoy song, music and dance routines spanning nearly 50 years.  This year’s showcase will feature performances by Chicago’s most talented seniors accompanied by the Michael Lerich Orchestra.  Both performances will feature special multigenerational performances by After School Matters students.  The Best of Serendipity is free and open to the public.    

DFSS’ 18 Senior Centers offer year round resources, services and programs that promote healthy and independent lifestyles.  Among the centers’ core programs and services are fitness, health and educational activities as well as meals, trips and a wide range of life enrichment classes.  Additional programming is developed based on feedback to meet the specific needs and interests of the seniors within their respective communities.  

To locate a Senior Center, or for more information about upcoming senior events and resources, please call 312-744-4016 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/fss.

About the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services
The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is dedicated to supporting a continuum of coordinated services to enhance the lives of Chicago residents, particularly those most in need, from birth through the senior years. The department works to promote the independence and well-being of individuals, support families and strengthen neighborhoods by providing direct assistance and administering resources to a network of community-based organizations, social service providers and institutions. For more information about the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, call 312-743-0300 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/fss.

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The Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) is dedicated to supporting a continuum of coordinated services to enhance the lives of Chicago residents, particularly those most in need, from birth through the senior years. The department works to promote the independence and well-being of individuals, support families and strengthen neighborhoods by providing direct assistance and administering resources to a network of community-based organizations, social service providers and institutions. For more information about the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, call 312-743-0300 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/fss.