The idea for the Cook County group originated from a previous six-week Care Partner course titled Powerful Tools for Caregivers. According to Julie Wilson, executive director of Care Partners of Cook County, participants in that course "really desired to continue meeting together." Following a referral-only, six-month-long book group, the organization identified a need for a more accessible format. The new group aims to meet this need by being open to anyone and allowing participants to drop in as they are able. Wilson stated, "The best support comes from connecting with others on a similar journey – there is so much strength in that."

Connecting Caregivers is led by Care Partners volunteers Kathy Reeves and Kay Costello and meets at The Hub at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. The meetings are in-person only and do not require pre-registration. The format is centered on conversation and mutual support, with Wilson sharing that attendees can "expect coffee, conversation, and perhaps some shared poetry or rituals; anyone can share what has been a help to them."

The next meeting is September 3, 2025.

The group is one of several programs Care Partners offers to support caregivers, including one-on-one coaching, respite services, and educational workshops. While there is no specific data on the total number of caregivers in the area, Wilson stated that in 2024, Care Partners' caregiver-related programs served a total of 27 family caregiver clients through one-on-one support, and served 17 clients with over 75 various support sessions. She also acknowledged that there are additional caregivers out there that the organization hasn't connected with yet. 

To learn more about Care Partners and the caregiver programs, visit: https://carepartnersofcookcounty.org/supporting-caregivers/