Shorewood Connects

Purpose

Shorewood Connects is a Village-sponsored project developed to enhance the ability of older residents to remain in and contribute to the life of the Village.

Finding ways to make Shorewood more “age-friendly” and promoting neighborliness within neighborhoods are at the core of this project. 

Shorewood Connects brings together residents young and old, the School District, the Village, and local businesses and organizations in an effort to develop initiatives and connections that will lead to a better community for all generations.

Shorewood Connects
Tom Barber with Volunteers

Shorewood Connects Walk Audits

Shorewood Connects is committed to assessing and promoting the walkability of our community for residents of all ages. One tool in this effort is a walk audit, using an AARP assessment instrument, which brings together a team of community volunteers to participate in a 1-hour walking audit of our village's streets, sidewalks, crosswalks and intersections. These audits help identify both the villages' many strengths in walkability, as well as areas where work may continue to be done. The first audit was a Winter Walk Audit conducted on January 28th, 2020 and included an assessment of walkability in the winter when snow and ice is a concern. 

 Our second audit, held on June 7th, 2022 and conducted in conjunction with the Pedestrian and Bike Safety subcommittee of the Parks and Public Spaces Committee, was held at a time when schools were in session, children were out on the streets, and the weather was good. Look for the 2022 Spring/Summer Walk Audit report in September 2022.

You may find the results of the 2020 Winter Walk Audit here: /DocumentCenter/View/10041

Spring 2022 Walk Audit: /DocumentCenter/View/10345

Village of Shorewood Becomes First Age-Friendly Community in Wisconsin

A Project Facilitator coordinates volunteer work groups (Dementia Awareness and Education; Neighborhood of the Year; Fall and Spring Yard Clean-Ups/Intergenerational Projects) to plan and carry out tasks while the work of Shorewood Connects is overseen by the Village of Shorewood’s Elder Services Advisory Board.

Since its inception in 2008, a few of Shorewood Connects’ accomplishments include:

  • The popular Fall and Spring Yard Clean-Up Days for older adult households, connecting volunteers of all ages with older and those with disabilities
  • The creation of the “Shorewood Neighborhood of the Year” and "Shorewood Neighbor of the Year" annual recognition awards 
  • A focus on developing more opportunities for intergenerational interaction in the community (resulting in 2014 designation by Generations United as being one of the four "Best Intergenerational Communities" in the country)
  • Reducing the stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and linking caregivers and people with dementia with resources, education and support via the Shorewood Dementia Awareness Work Group
  • Offering social engagement via the Shorewood Memory Cafe at Three Lions Pub in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association of SE Wisconsin and the Milwaukee County Department on Aging, as a monthly drop-in program for people with memory loss and their caregivers
  • Completing a five year Age-Friendly Plan for the Village as part of our role as the first community in Wisconsin to become part of AARP's Age-Friendly Communities Network

If you are interested in participating in any of the work groups or if you would like more information about Shorewood Connects,email Project Facilitator Vashti Lozier or call 414.378-6073.


DFA Logo low res

Shorewood Admitted into the Dementia Friendly Network of Communities

Exciting news! The Village was accepted into the Dementia Friendly America Network of Communities in June 2020. This is a national network of communities, organizations and individuals seeking to ensure that communities across the U.S. are equipped to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Shorewood was accepted because of its "long-standing history, partnerships and activities". We're excited to become part of this network in order to learn more about what other communities around the country are doing for people living with dementia.

In 2014, Shorewood Connects initiated a "Dementia Awareness Work Group" as part of its efforts to become an age-friendly community. The Work Group (with broad representation from sectors of the community including the Senior Resource Center, North Shore Health Department, Library, School District's Department of Recreation and Community Services, Milwaukee County Department on Aging, Eastside Senior Services, caregivers, social service professionals, and other community volunteers) has focused on promoting awareness of dementia and its prevalence; educating the community on topics related to dementia through a fall educational series; and linking caregivers with available resources. In addition, the Work Group began offering a monthly Memory Café at Three Lions Pub in 2015 and a monthly Coffee & Conversations for Caregivers support group in 2017 after identifying the need for additional socialization opportunities and support for caregivers. Both of these efforts are led by groups of dedicated volunteers. Shorewood’s Dementia Awareness Group also conducts outreach for local congregations, banks, and organizations serving older customers.

Look for our ongoing educational offerings, which will include sessions in the fall of 2020 on "Caregiving in the age of COVID-19" and "Proven ways to a healthier brain". The Work Group remains committed to ensuring that Shorewood’s older adults, including those living with dementia, have the opportunity to remain in and contribute to the life of the community.

For more information about the Coffee & Conversations for Caregivers support group, the Memory Cafe, or the Dementia Awareness Work Group, contact Shorewood Senior Resource Center Coordinator Elizabeth Price 414.847.2727 or src@villageofshorewood.org or Shorewood Connects Coordinator Vashti Lozier at shorewoodconnects@gmail.com

Age Friendly 5 yr reception 2023-1 (2)

Shorewood Age-Friendly Plan 2019 - 2023

  1. Age Friendly Action Plan 822021 Revised
Click here Dementia Resources in Shorewoodto add content...

Dementia Resources in Shorewood

Coffee and Conversations Caregiver Support Group


First Thursday of each month @ 10:30 am

Coffee & Conversation is a support group for caregivers of people living with dementia. Professionally facilitated, this group meets in Shorewood (or on Zoom). For more information or to register, email us at src@shorewoodwi.gov or call 414-847-2727.

Shorewood Memory Café


Second Friday of each month at 10:30 am

The Memory Café is a relaxed social event for people living with mild memory loss and their care partners. This group meets in the café area of Metro Market at 4075 N Oakland Ave in Shorewood. If you’re new to the café, please contact us to register at src@shorewoodwi.gov or call 414-847-2727.

Join our mailing list


For more information on these and other dementia-related events in Shorewood, join our mailing list. 

 https://forms.gle/Q1CcfuTVybS6Yzid6


Miss Chris with crew at yard cleanup day

Shorewood Connects Yard Clean Up Day

Twice a year in spring and fall teams of community volunteers help their older or disabled neighbors get their yards ready for summer and winter. If you or a neighbor could use some help with raking or other small outdoor tasks on that day, call the Senior Resource Center at 414-847-2727 or email src@shorewoodwi.gov or to volunteer to rake and help and older neighbor contact Vashti Lozier at shorewoodconnects@gmail.com


Moore with Shorewood Residents
Memory Cafe