About Us

 

Our History

 

In 2016 a group of friends became interested in the Village-to-Village Network, a national movement which finds ways for members to engage and thrive in community as they age. They began the process of building such an organization in the Oak Park area. We saw our individual interests and passions, together with the needs of an aging community, as an invitation to get to work. 

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The name Arbor West Neighbors was chosen, not only because Oak Park was named the state’s first municipal arboretum in 2015, but also because several communities within our service area include the word Forest.

 

The Village Movement began over 20 years ago in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston. Like Arbor West Neighbors, it was founded by a group of friends who envisioned a community-based approach to aging—one that empowers adults at all stages of life. Their innovative model emphasized peer-to-peer networking, promoting an active lifestyle, improving health, and reducing isolation. Today there is a national network of over 250 Villages supporting each other and sharing best practices.   https://www.vtvnetwork.org/  

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There are several other Villages in the Chicago area including Chicago Hyde Park, Skyline (Streeter Ville), The Village Chicago (Lincoln Park), Edgewater Village Chicago, and South Loop Village.