In this program, participants explore their emotions and how to communicate through the lens of theatre. They play improv games, read scenes from plays, and study famous theatrical works. Through this program, participants can expect to improve social skills, emotional intelligence, improvisation or thinking on their feet, creative thinking, and being a team player – all while acting out in a good way.

Participants learn the fundamental skills of basketball and experience the joy of competitive sports and teamwork. Basketball takes place at a local park district gym where participants begin with a warm-up followed by drills focused on learning how to pass, shoot and score. They wrap up by dividing into teams for a game. Participants can expect to get a good workout while learning how to focus, follow directions from a coach and be a member of a team.

Participants spend the afternoon at the world class Gillson Beach in Wilmette. They will pack lunches at Our Place for a picnic at the beach and then join in activities of their choice including swimming, walking, getting buried in the sand, building sand castles and enjoying water, sand and fun. Sunscreen provided and regularly re-applied. Bring swimsuits, towels and sand shoes. Participants can expect to enjoy one of the signature North Shore experiences on beautiful Lake Michigan. Summer only.

Bowling takes place at a local club where participants focus on developing the fundamental skills of bowling, setting goals, and cheering on friends. Participants can expect to improve not only their bowling skills, but also turn-taking, teamwork, and social interactions.

This is a vocational and service program at Three Crowns Park in northwest Evanston. Participants engage with residents in many ways while learning vocational skills tied to working in the service sector. Participants and volunteers take residents for walks inside and in the neighborhood, lead chair exercises, play word games, and read to the residents. Participants can expect to build friendships with residents while learning vocational skills and making a contribution to our community through service.

Community Lunch is mostly about having fun with friends while eating out at local restaurants every week. Participants negotiate with friends on which restaurant to choose, aiming for variety. After choosing a restaurant, they plan their order, fill out a budget form, and make sure they have enough money to pay for their selections. They place their orders at the restaurant, pay, and keep receipts so they can track their expenses. Participants can expect to strengthen friendships, practice independent planning and ordering, learn how to navigate in a restaurant and mostly have good conversations. After lunch they take a long walk – outside if the weather is nice and at the fitness center track if it’s cold or rainy.

In this five hour program, participants explore destinations throughout the whole Chicagoland area, focused on outdoor activities and summer events. Venues include Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, Morton Arboretum and The Grove. Participants can expect to experience the joys of summer, explore our broader community and just have fun with friends. Seasonal.

Participants select recipes and get hands-on training in preparing, cooking, presenting and serving everyday foods for their friends at Our Place. They prepare healthy lunches that are served to all participants and staff at Our Place that day. Participants can expect to learn how to prepare simple meals that they can make at home, share those meals with friends, clean up after cooking and eating and expand their appreciation for healthy foods.

This program combines music, rhythm, and movement for a good workout while having fun. Participants can expect to get a good workout while improving coordination and endurance and expanding their love of music.

Participants build cardio endurance, strength, and flexibility while participating in circuit training at the Wilmette Fitness Center. Participants can expect to improve their physical endurance, technical exercise skills, goal setting, teamwork, and communication skills.

Participants learn the fundamentals of golf while enjoying a beautiful afternoon at the Wilmette Golf Club. The Club trainer and volunteers teach the rules, techniques, and etiquette of golf, using the driving range and putting green. Equipment provided. Participants can expect to become proficient in the basic techniques and etiquette of golf while enjoying a day on the course. Seasonal.

Participants move to their favorite songs as they share their love of dancing. Everyone gets to choose their favorite songs and then the group dances to the beat for a fun and effective workout. Participants can expect to improve their endurance, coordination, team spirit and love of new types of music.

Kitchen Kinetics focuses on healthy living through nutritious food choices and exercise. Each week the participants hone their skills in the kitchen cooking healthy foods, practicing food safety and cleaning up. They then discuss the value of exercise and get fit with a workout routine. Participants can expect to improve their understanding of healthy food choices, experience how good healthy foods can taste, and learn to appreciate a good workout.

A hands-on training in how to use all the services offered by our public libraries. The program is onsite at the Winnetka Public Library with library staff providing instruction and support. Participants will become proficient in accessing the services of public libraries and will end the session with their own library card to their local library. They will be comfortable and confident users of library services and know how to use a wide range of online and in-person programs. They will be able to practice using online services through the Wi-Fi at Our Place.

Music and Movement is a program that allows participants to explore the world of musical theater and dance. Each week participants focus on one musical, movie, or show as they use dancing and acting to choreograph dance routines for the chosen musical numbers. Participants can expect to build confidence and creativity through expressive dance and acting as well as teamwork and performance skills.

OP Dance Crew explores a variety of dance styles, including partner dances, line dances, and international dances. Dancers also practice creating unique choreography for their favorite songs. There are three rules in OP Dance Crew: try your best, be creative, and have fun. Participants can expect to get a fun workout while improving endurance, balance, rhythm and coordination. And they’ll be ready for a cruise, wedding or any celebration that includes dancing.

In this five hour program, offered only in the summer, participants explore the trails at local forest preserves, nature centers and botanic gardens and learn about the unique and ever-changing wonders of the world around us. We kayak, paddle boat and walk in this physically active program. Participants can expect to relish summer outdoors while experiencing physical activities in nature. Seasonal.

Participants head out to Lovelace Park to join in games including basketball, soccer, bocce, frisbee golf and more. Those who want to learn how to fish, or advance their interest in fishing, will be coached by three students with fishing experience and a love for the sport. Lovelace Park has a catch-and-release stocked pond which is small and safe. Equipment provided. Participants can expect to improve competency in summer sports, have fun outdoors and learn the tranquil joys of fishing. Seasonal.

POUND Fit brings together drumming, cardio exercises, strength training and upbeat music to improve endurance and coordination. Participants use Ripstix, which are weighted drumsticks, to pound out the beat of the music in synchrony with the group. These workouts also stimulate the brain. Participants can expect to have a lot of fun while getting a full body workout that improves their physical well-being, coordination, endurance and mind-body connection.

These were the first programs we offered when we were building the Our Place community and they continue to be wonderful entry points and ongoing fun ways for participants to have plans for Saturday nights. Socials take place from 6 till 9 and include pizza and dessert, socializing, dancing, karaoke, dessert baking and interactive games. Participants choose the activities they want to join during the evening and who they want to hang out with. Saturday Socials in particular provide low-pressure ways for participants to engage with peers in areas of their interest and to develop meaningful relationships that carry over into general programs and get-togethers outside of Our Place.

Group fitness training with Coach Tom at his local studio focuses on strength, endurance and flexibility using state-of-the art equipment, bands, weights, weighted balls and walking. Participants can expect to get a workout that improves cardio, strength and flexibility.

Participants travel to the Northbrook YMCA, where they begin with a warm-up in the water followed by aquatic exercises focusing on cardio endurance, strength training and pool safety. The program ends with a fun closing activity to cool down - and if there’s time, a dip in the hot tub. Participants can expect to improve their swimming skills, confidence in the pool and overall fitness.

Participants join in aquatic activities while learning pool safety at Jane's pool, a heated and secluded pool close to Our Place. The program begins with a warmup in the water followed by exercises and relays that focus on cardio endurance, strengthening and teamwork. Participants end with a sharing activity about their day and a meditation. Remember to bring your swimsuit and a towel. Participants can expect to improve swimming skills and their comfort in the water while being part of a team. Swimming is outdoors only in the summer session.

Our vocational program focuses on the skills required to be a good worker and to sustain a job. We discuss the soft skills that make someone effective in a job, including how to act in a work environment, focus, following directions, being part of a team and socializing appropriately with work colleagues. We provide hands-on training in work settings. Currently we run the New Trier Township Food Pantry, where participants process and sort all food donations and stock the pantry that is open to the public. We also assist seniors at Three Crown Park with exercise, brain games and walks. Participants can expect to improve their ability to function effectively in a workplace, learn job skills and give back to their community.

Yoga practice improves the mind, body, spirit connection through breathing and movement. Our yoga sequences and poses emphasize the importance of focusing, stretching your body and mind, and finding inner peace. Participants can expect to increase their flexibility, strength, and balance while building mental and emotional endurance and reducing stress.

Zumba is a licensed dance fitness program featuring Latin and Latin-inspired music. The goal of Zumba is to move in a fun and upbeat way so you don’t even know you’re getting a good workout. We begin and end the program with stretching. Participants can expect to improve their endurance, rhythm and flexibility as well as their ability to follow dance directions, all while expanding their musical repertoire.