CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A social circle in the western suburbs with a tongue in cheek name is providing conversation and connections to seniors.
It's called Not Dead Yet. It's a social club for people over the age of 65. Co-facilitator Wendy Evans said that the club started in June of 2019. Back then, it met at a restaurant. The COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone inside starting in March. While things are starting to open up, seniors are an especially vulnerable population.
Not Dead Yet revived the meeting schedule in July. Since then, the group meets under the shade trees on the lawn of Wesley United Methodist Church in Aurora.
Evans said the conversations center around how people are doing and how they are helping their families get through the pandemic, especially if a relative lost a job. Evans added that the conversations often turn to how they are dealing with lonliness that comes with being a senior who is trying to shelter in place.
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Evans added that the attendance at the outdoor, socially distant gatherings depends on the weather.
"We met a week ago in the cold and drizzle. There were six of us. Sometimes we get as many as 20," Evans said.
Evans added her group is trying to find an indoor meeting space during the winter months.
"We did talk about what happens when it does get colder. They (Wesley United Methodist Church) said they would possibly open up the church so we would have a large room to meet in," Evans said.