CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – According to recent studies, more than 20% of adults in the United States experience social isolation or loneliness. These feelings can significantly impact a person's well-being, especially older adults.
University of Illinois Extension Family Life, in partnership with Family Service Center, is offering a free program, "Don't Go It Alone: Improving Your Social Connections," to help individuals address these challenges.
“Social isolation and loneliness can be detrimental to health and happiness,” says Emily Harmon, Extension Educator with University of Illinois Extension Family Life. “This program offers a chance to learn more about these issues, develop strategies for staying connected, and explore resources available in your community.”
Social isolation is the lack of social contact with others. While some people enjoy solitude, social isolation can lead to a variety of health issues like high blood pressure, Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, and more.
This free program will cover what social isolation is and why it is such an issue. During the program, educators will help participants develop their own plan for social connectedness.
The program will be held at six locations:
• Monday, January 6, 1- 2:00 pm Stevick Senior Citizen Center (2102 Windsor Pl, Champaign, IL 61820); Suite 3 lower level
• Thursday, January 9, 2 - 3:00 PM Danville Public Library (319 N Vermilion St, Danville, IL 61832); 1st-floor conference room
• Friday, January 17, 10:30 - 11:30 AM Moyer District Library (618 S Sangamon Ave, Gibson City, IL 60936)
• Thursday, January 23, 1:00 – 11:00 AM Watseka Public Library (201 S 4th St, Watseka, IL 60970)
• Friday, January 24, 2025, 9:30 - 10:30 AM Kirby Medical Center (1000 Medical Center Drive, Monticello, IL 61856); Community Outreach Room (located next to the Apple a Day Café)
Register Today!
The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, visit go.illinois.edu/DontGoItAlone or call 217-333-7672.
Family Service was founded in Champaign County before World War I, and has been an integral part of
this community since its inception in 1911. We serve the communities of Champaign, Douglas, and Piatt
Counties. Programs include Children’s First, Counseling, Friendly Caller Program, Healthy Aging
Programs, Homecare, Meals on Wheels, PEARLS, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Self-Help
Center, Senior Counseling & Advocacy, and Senior Transportation. PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active,
Rewarding LIves) is an evidence-based, data-driven program to help older adults take back control of
their lives, regain their enthusiasm for life, and improve their mild depression symptoms. Alleviating even
mild symptoms can radically improve an older adult's quality of life. All staff in our Senior Resource
Center are certified PEARLS coaches.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.