Become a Host Site
| Empower Your Community
Become a partner in promoting health and wellness by hosting an evidence-based health workshop at your location. These evidence-based programs are proven to be effective in improving health outcomes. Hosting a workshop is easy, and we provide all the support you need!
As a host site, you'll offer a welcoming space for community members to attend workshops that equip them with the skills to manage their health and well-being.
Our workshops are hosted in convenient community locations such as senior centers, libraries, faith communities, and clinical settings like hospitals and doctor’s offices. Each program is designed for groups of 8-20 older adults and can be conducted in-person or virtually.
Scroll down to explore all available programs!
Click on the slideshow below to see how our workshops work in action! It’s a great way to visualize the impact you can bring to your community.
Why Host a Workshop?
By becoming a host site, you:
🔷 Create a welcoming space where participants gain practical tools to better manage their health.
🔷 Support community health and wellness by offering programs that improve quality of life.
🔷 Increase engagement and visibility for your organization within the community.
🔷 Partner with a trusted initiative dedicated to improving lives through education and support.
🔷 See the impact firsthand—Read participant testimonials.
🔷 Join a growing network of host sites making a real impact—scroll down to hear from our sites!
Who Can Host?
We welcome a variety of community-based organizations to serve as host sites, including:
🔷 Libraries
🔷 Churches
🔷 Schools
🔷 Hospitals & Clinics
🔷 Doctor’s Offices
🔷 Senior Centers
🔷 Recreation Centers
What's Required to Host?
To ensure a comfortable and effective learning environment, host sites must provide:
- 🔷 Consistent Space: A designated area for the entire duration of the workshop.
- 🔷 Capacity: Room for 8–20 adults with tables, chairs, and snack space.
- 🔷 Accessibility: Must be ADA compliant.
- 🔷 Minimal Setup: TV with DVD/HDMI for some workshops; Wi-Fi recommended.
- 🔷 Flexibility: May need an extra session for recruitment or paperwork.
- 🔷 Time Commitment: 1.5–2.5 hours per session over 6–8 weeks.
Support We Provide
We make hosting easy and rewarding by offering:
- 🔷 Workshop Materials: Provided at no cost.
- 🔷 Marketing Assistance: Flyers, posters, digital content.
- 🔷 Recruitment Support: Help enrolling local participants.
- 🔷 Ongoing Guidance: Dedicated support team for all your questions.
What Our Host Sites Say
Our patrons had a great time with Fit and Strong! They would rave about it and couldn't wait to sign up for another session, describing it as excellent, wonderful and very, very good.
Every host site surveyed gave a 100% "very satisfied" rating, praising the team's professionalism, expertise, and responsiveness. Their enthusiasm speaks volumes—they would highly recommend the program to others!
The health promotion team were very professional. They arrived early, helped set up the room so participants could view the slide show on the flat screen and observe the doctor's demonstration of how to prevent and get up from a fall.
How It Works
Hosting is easy! Just follow these simple steps:
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Express Interest: Fill out our form or email us at info@ilpathwaystohealth.org.
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Choose a Program: We'll connect with you to discuss your program interests, space availability, and confirm your site meets the requirements.
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Plan & Promote: We'll schedule the workshop and provide promotional marketing materials.
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Host the Workshop: Provide the space, our network will facilitate the workshop.
Have questions or want to see all available programs? Scroll down to explore our FAQs and workshop options!
FAQ
Q: How long does the process take?
A: The timeline depends on the availability of facilitators and whether class schedules fill up. We work to accommodate your needs, but the process may vary based on these factors.
Q: Do we need a certified health professional to host?
A: No! Our workshops are designed for community facilitators. If you are in Suburban Cook County, we have a team of leaders who can facilitate the workshop at your site. If you are outside this area, we can connect you with a delivery partner in your area.
Q: How will I know if other workshops are being conducted in my area?
A: You can check our currently scheduled workshops on our Find Classes page.
Q: Is there a cost to participate?
A: Many workshops are grant-funded, meaning there’s no cost for participants. Cost to your organization depends on factors such as the program, number of workshops, materials, length of commitment and location. Please contact us to assess your specific needs.
Q: Are refreshments provided?
A: Refreshments are not provided and are not required for most of our workshops. Depending on the guidelines at your location, participants can bring their own snacks, or your agency may choose to provide them. A Matter of Balance workshops ask host sites to provide healthy snacks for each session (~$5/person for 8 sessions).
Q: Who can participate?
A: Our main focus is on adults 60+ and individuals with disabilities of any age. Depending on the program, workshops may cater to people with chronic conditions, caregivers, those concerned about falls, and individuals looking to improve flexibility and strength. Please note that these are evidence-based workshops, and the first two sessions are dedicated to enrollment. No one can join after the second session, as these are not drop-in classes.
Q: What programs can I choose from?
A: See our list of programs below.
Increase your activity, build strength and improve balance to reduce your risk of falls. Learn ways to modify your environment and more to prevent falling.
A Matter of Balance
A Matter of Balance empowers older adults to manage fall risks and boost activity levels. Participants learn strategies to reduce the fear of falling while enhancing balance, flexibility, and strength, ultimately viewing falls as controllable challenges.
Program Information SheetClinical Summary
Class Details Page
Bingocize®
Bingocize® combines bingo with exercise and health education to promote functional fitness and social engagement in older adults. Participants enjoy a mix of bingo calls, exercises, and health questions, with options for Exercise Only, Falls Prevention, and Nutrition modules.
Program Information SheetClinical Summary
Class Details Page
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention is an engaging program that enhances balance, relieves pain, and boosts overall health. It features warm-up and cool-down exercises, movement practice, breathing techniques, and principles to improve both physical and mental balance.
Program Information SheetClinical Summary
Class Details Page
Fit & Strong
Fit & Strong! (F&S) is a group program designed for individuals with arthritis that combines flexibility and strength training, aerobic walking, and health education. This engaging approach promotes behavior change and helps participants effectively manage osteoarthritis through enjoyable activities and wellness strategies.
Class Details Page
Walk With Ease
Walk With Ease helps reduce pain and enhance balance, strength, and overall health while motivating participants to walk safely and comfortably. Whether through a self-guided course or in a community setting, participants can choose the format that best fits their needs.
Class Details Page
Classes that range from the Take Charge of Your Diabetes Self-Management Program to the Aging Mastery Program. Take Charge/ Live Well classes help you live your best life even with health difficulties.
Take Charge of Your Health: Chronic Conditions
Take Charge of Your Health: Chronic Conditions empowers individuals with ongoing health issues, such as arthritis, mental health disorders, chronic pain, cancer, and diabetes, by enhancing their self-management skills and providing strategies to build confidence and motivation for better health.
Program Information SheetClinical Summary
Class Details Page
Tomando Control de su Salud
This is the Spanish version of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, tailored for Spanish speakers facing ongoing health issues such as arthritis, mental health disorders, chronic pain, cancer, and diabetes, by enhancing their self-management skills and providing strategies to build confidence and motivation for better health.
Class Details Page
Take Charge of Your Diabetes
Take Charge of Your Diabetes is designed for participants with type 2 diabetes to enhance self-management skills. Participants create weekly action plans, share experiences, and collaboratively address self-management challenges.
Program Information SheetClinical Summary
Class Details Page
Tomando Control de su Diabetes
This is the Spanish version of the Diabetes Self-Management Program, designed for Spanish speakers with type 2 diabetes to enhance self-management skills. Participants create weekly action plans, share experiences, and collaboratively address self-management challenges.
Class Details Page
Take Charge of Your Pain
Chronic Pain Self-Management is a group class designed to help participants manage their symptoms and live healthily with chronic pain. Participants will learn strategies in medication management, nutrition, pain relief, and physical activity, fostering mutual support and building confidence to lead active, fulfilling lives.
Class Details Page
Cancer: Thriving and Surviving
Cancer: Thriving and Surviving is an interactive workshop for cancer survivors. Participants engage in supportive sessions that teach skills to address concerns like fear of recurrence, fatigue, pain, and nutrition, empowering them to manage their health and live fulfilling lives.
Program Information SheetClass Details Page
Workplace Chronic Disease Self-Management
Workplace Take Charge of Your Health is an interactive workshop for employed individuals with chronic physical or mental health conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and depression. Participants will learn essential skills for managing their conditions, including work-life balance, exercise, healthy eating, symptom management, weight loss, and effective communication.
Class Details Page
Diabetes Prevention Program
The Diabetes Prevention Program helps individuals prevent type 2 diabetes through a CDC-developed curriculum that fosters lasting lifestyle changes. Over one year, participants learn about healthy eating, physical activity, and stress management, all while receiving support from a lifestyle coach and peers.
Class Details Page
Active Choices
Active Choices is an evidence-based health program for older adults, led by trained peer mentors who provide personalized exercise advice, counseling, and goal setting. The program covers key topics, including physical activity, chronic disease management, falls prevention, and behavioral health.
Class Details Page
Social Connect
Social Connect is a facilitated small group online gathering focused on gentle movements, stress reduction, and building connections. Participants learn techniques to boost well-being, improve sleep, increase compassion, and strengthen the immune system.
Class Details Page
If you regularly assist someone with daily tasks or care for an adult with Alzheimer's, dementia, or a disabled adult child, you are a caregiver! We understand that caregiving can be overwhelming or stressful, and we're here to help with the additional support you need.
Savvy Caregiver
The Savvy Caregiver Workshop is designed for informal caregivers, equipping participants with essential skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Program Information SheetClass Details Page
Stress Busting for Family Caregivers
Stress Busting for Family Caregivers is an evidence-based program that teaches essential skills such as stress management and understanding the disease process. Aimed at improving the quality of life for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias, it offers valuable tools and support.
Program Information SheetClass Details Page
Powerful Tools for Caregivers - for caregivers of adults with chronic conditions
Powerful Tools for Caregivers® is a program that equips family and friends caring for older adults with the skills and confidence to care for themselves while supporting others. Weekly topics cover areas like stress reduction, effective communication in challenging situations, and making informed caregiving decisions.
Program Information SheetClass Details Page