Connection & Community
Living Well Activities
The Living Well Network (LWN) helps adults age 55+ feel less isolated and more connected through local activities, resources, volunteer opportunities, and mutual support.
Living Well Activity Information
Aging Support Group
Monthly virtual meetings
The goal of this group is to educate ourselves and explore feelings about the life issues that arise as we age: remaining at home (“aging in place”), financial issues, dealing with ageism, breaking isolation, housing options, finding community, declining health, widow(er)hood, etc. Together, we explore options and resources, share our experiences and knowledge, and provide support for each other’s individual journeys.
To join, please contact LWN Manager Randi Freundlich, and mention “Aging Support Group” in the subject of your email.
Consciousness-Raising Group
Meets monthly from October 2025- June 2026 in person at Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
Would you like to be pleased and proud about aging? What would an age-friendly world look like? Ageism is judging, stereotyping, and discriminating against older people. Yet, aging is how we move through life! Our monthly consciousness-raising group discusses ageism through the book This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite. To join, please contact LWN Manager Randi Freundlich, and mention “Consciousness-Raising Group” in the subject of your email.
Men’s Group
Meets monthly in person at Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
Join other men for a monthly meeting to discuss a different topic each time. Past discussions include retirement, end-of-life issues, friendship, and more.
To join, please contact LWN Manager Randi Freundlich, and mention “Men’s Group” in the subject of your email.
Aging Gracefully With Yoga
Saturdays from 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Increase your flexibility, balance and bone density while meeting a group of local, lively peers with these classes for adults age 55+, with Christine Palamidessi, who has been our LWN Yoga instructor since 2010. Christine has an advanced Yoga Degree in The Fishman Method for Yoga and Osteoporosis and is a Somatic Yoga Educator. To join, please contact LWN Manager Randi Freundlich.
Tai Chi
Saturdays
Intermediate and Advanced: 10-11 AM
Beginning Students: 11 AM-12 PM
Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
20 Sacramento Street
Cost: $12 for non-members
Tai Chi for Health and Balance introduces participants to the deep bodywork of Tai Chi, encompassing targeted relaxation, posture and stance exercises, qigong, and selected techniques from classic Tai Chi practice. Exercises emphasize gentle stretching, core alignment, and efficiencies of movement. Instructor Jean Lukitsh will share the history and health benefits of tai chi and the practice will be modified for those with physical limitations. Beginners are more than welcome and we welcome back returning and more experienced students.
Tai Chi is taught by Jean Lukitsh, who studied with Tai Chi master Bow Sim Mark since 1978, and is an instructor at Mark’s School in Boston’s Chinatown. Jean brings years of mastering Tai Chi and experience as a Geriatric Nurse to her gentle Tai Chi for Health and Balance classes.
Walking
Fridays
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Starts outside of Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
Enjoy exploring nature in the neighborhood with a gentle walk. This group meets weekly on Fridays, weather-permitting.
To join, please contact LWN Manager Randi Freundlich, and mention “Walking Group” in the subject of your email.
To support our community aging in place at home, the Living Well Network often offers one-off lectures and workshops on topics such as Downsizing & Decluttering, Getting Older: 35 Years of Wisdom Passed Down from Older Adults.
In addition, LWN offers arts-related workshops. Past workshops have included Introduction to Memoir Writing, Making Collages, and Drawing Birds.
Potlucks and Socials
In addition to our regular groups and programs, Living Well Network likes to bring everyone together for occasional potlucks and other social gatherings.
Online Group
One of our newest member benefits is our online forum where LWN members can connect with each other to organize outings and other social activities. Through this group, members have visited the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, hiked in the Fells Reservation and Great Meadow in Concord, organized a coffee meet-up, and attended a concert.
Fiction Book Group
Wednesdays
11:00 AM-12:30 PM
At Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
Our newest monthly book group features rotating leaders and a different book selection each month! The group mainly reads and discusses fiction, but may include other genres depending on interest.
To join, please contact LWN Manager Randi Freundlich, and mention “New Book Group” in the subject of your email.
Book Group on Aging
Meets twice monthly in person at Maria L. Baldwin Community Center, weather permitting (otherwise meets virtually)
Join a discussion with others age 55 and older to discuss, critique, applaud and examine written works on aging. The group meets twice monthly on Zoom. To join, please contact LWN Manager Randi Freundlich, and mention “Book Group” in the subject of your email.
Healthy & Creative
Expression!
Groups on Aging
Find community and discuss issues to help us embrace aging and empower us through the process.
Movement
It’s important to stay active as we get older. LWN offers classes for yoga and tai chi, as well as a weekly walking group, to keep members moving and engaged!
Lectures & Workshops
In addition to our regular programming, we often schedule lectures and workshops on topics that interest our community.
Social Connections
One of the most important benefits of joining the Living Well Network are the friendships and connections that make our community stronger. We try to supplement our regular programming with opportunities to be together purely for social connection and community.
