A Neighborhood Hub for Memory-Friendly Connection on Chicago's South Side
A welcoming community where older adults gather, care partners find support, and everyone belongs.
EngAGE Beverly is a nonprofit neighborhood hub creating memory-friendly opportunities for older adults, especially those navigating memory changes, and the care partners who walk alongside them. We believe memory changes call for experiences that are enriched, not simplified, and we meet each person with warmth and dignity.
Here, each person is known, valued, and belongs.
Our mission
Gather. Connect. Belong.
Our mission is to honor and celebrate each person as they are today, in this moment. We do this by fostering a welcoming community for older adults, especially those navigating memory changes, and their care partners. Through rich, relationship-centered experiences, we nourish the spirit and create space for joy, purpose, curiosity, self-expression, and the freedom to be fully oneself.
Our belief
A different idea about memory and aging
Our belief is simple: when memory changes, the answer is to slow down and deepen an experience, not to strip it away. Our approach is inspired by the spirit-centered philosophy of our friends at Elderwise™ in Seattle.
Enrichment over simplification
We design for curiosity, creativity, and real conversation. We keep the pace unhurried, so ideas, stories, and conversations can go deeper.
Relationship-centered
Consistent, caring people build genuine relationships with each person, creating trust, comfort, and belonging.
Small and intentional
A limited circle means each person is known and met as an individual, never as one of a crowd.
One hub, many ways to connect
Growing a memory-friendly community close to home
EngAGE Beverly brings together small, relationship-centered gatherings and practical resources for older adults and the people who care for them. Each part can stand on its own; together, they create a stronger circle of connection and support.
Day gatherings
Small, relationship-centered gatherings where older adults experiencing memory changes share conversation, creativity, movement, music, and meals in a calm and familiar rhythm.
EngAGE Cafés
Enrichment experiences built around literature, music, art, local voices, creative expression, and time together at the table.
Care partner support
Practical learning, shared experiences, and meaningful connection for the people walking alongside someone navigating memory changes.
Community connection
A growing calendar of memory-friendly events, trusted resources, community partners, and opportunities across Chicago's South Side.
Where we are now
Growing a hub of memory-friendly connection, one step at a time
EngAGE Beverly is in its founding year. We are beginning with small gatherings, learning alongside older adults and their families, and building the partnerships and approvals needed for a lasting neighborhood home.
Small, relationship-centered gatherings, including Pops & Friends, are helping us shape the model and learn what feels most meaningful.
Our first EngAGE Literary Café, a multi-week gathering built around a shared book, music, creative expression, conversation, and a meal.
More EngAGE Cafés, care partner education and support, expanded community resources, and, in time, regular day programming for older adults in Beverly.
Why we do what we do
This work is personal
EngAGE Beverly began with one family and one search for a place that felt like belonging. We believe every older adult should feel connected and at home in their community, whatever their journey looks like.
Read Pops's storyLooking ahead
Beverly is where we begin.
We are building EngAGE Beverly in one neighborhood, on purpose. Our hope is that it becomes the first of many.
Read our vision →Stay connected
Keep in touch as we grow
EngAGE Beverly is a neighborhood hub where older adults are known, care partners feel supported, and neighbors help create a more memory-friendly community. Whether you are looking for meaningful programming, trusted information, partnership, or a way to contribute, there is a place for you here.
We are in our founding year and are not yet enrolling in regular day programming. Add your name below to receive updates about upcoming Cafés, community gatherings, resources, and future day programming. Tell us what brings you to EngAGE Beverly, and we will share what is most meaningful to you. There is no obligation, and we will never overwhelm your inbox.