Neighborhood Groups Hot Topics

Decisions we made that had changed our lives, for better or for worse

Lincoln Square Neighborhood Group

We spoke about decisions we had made that had changed our lives, for better or worse. In most cases it’s of course impossible to know what would have happened if we had made a different choice – in a college, in a job, in a spouse, for example – but we could talk about some of the realities that flowed from the choices that we did make. The discussion provided us with a good way to get to know each other better.

Combatting Loneliness

Upper West Side 3 Neighborhood Group

The members of this group shared information on the other activities they participate in to combat loneliness, including:

A singing group that meets at Columbia University’s Casa Italiana (More Info Here)

Starting a Women’s Connection Special Interest Group teaching various arts and crafts.

Free or low-cost continuing education and university auditing courses, including the QUEST program (https://www.questcontinuingednyc.org/).

Columbia University’s Manhattanville Program (More Info Here).

Courses and programs at the Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center, Sundays at the UWS JCCA, Dorot and Bloomingdale Aging in Place.

Free or low cost music and dance programs, including:

• The American Society of Jewish Music (http://www.jewishmusic-asjm.org)
• The Manhattan School of Music (https://www.msmnyc.edu/msm-performances/)
• The Juilliard School (https://www.juilliard.edu/stage-beyond/performance/calendar)

The annual Cabaret Convention at Lincoln Center Jazz, and ballroom dancing at You Should Be Dancing (https://www.youshouldbedancing.nyc).

Mention was made of Cesare Civetta’s weekly music programs on Zoom. (To receive a link, email him at cesare@beethoven.ccsend.com or beethovennow@gmail.com).

Ending with an enthusiastic plug for Sundays at JASA. Sundays at JASA offers programs at Marymount Manhattan College, 221 E. 71st St., 212-273-5304: https://www.jasa.org/fall2024. Sundays are in person; Mondays & Wednesdays are through Zoom. Topics are wide-ranging and include philosophy, city planning, opera, musical theater, etc. Classes are likely to be around 12 participants.

Are you unwilling to ask for help, and what do we think of "hyper-independence"

Upper East Side 4 Neighborhood Group

As to asking for help, some of us did have difficulty doing that, but found upon asking that it wasn't so bad. We discussed the fact that people who offer help usually truly want to do it and can thus be left in the cold when someone won't accept help. Accepting help, we speculated, is often a gift to the giver of help.

As to "hyper-independence" we weren't generally too happy with that negative term. For most of us, independence is the way we live, and the way we like it.

In the course of the meeting, some very helpful resources were mentioned. One member noted that the NYS guide to resources for older adults is full of information, and available online Link Here . There was also mention of Dorot, a service organization on the West Side which provides a wide variety of services to seniors (Link Here).

The Caring Collaborative, is a benefit exclusively to members of our NYC Women's Connection chapter. The Caring Collaborative offers a network of more than 400 women, organized by neighborhood, who pledge to be there for you -- to shop for you, pick up prescriptions, bring you home after a hospital stay, take you to medical appointments or perhaps, just provide good company or a helping hand while you convalesce. (For more information, go to the FAQs page.)

How are  Caring Collaborative Neighborhood Groups (NGs) different from SIGs (Special Interest Groups)?
There are over 20 neighborhood groups. The casual meeting forum is invaluable for sharing information on successful health strategies, to discuss health topics of interest, and share  wellness tips and information with other Caring Collaborative members who live near you.  A familiar face makes it easier and more comfortable to ask for and give help.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are a great way to connect with other members of  Women's Connection that share your interests. SIGs are topic or activity focused, and brings members together who share that special interest. The NYC chapter has over 60 SIGs. They focus on a variety  of topics and interests such as books, magazines, travel, card games, theater, film, dining, walking/hiking, cooking, crafts, day trips, learning, and much, much more.