About North Shore Village

North Shore Village (NSV) is the local face of a national phenomenon: the overwhelming desire of older adults to age in place, staying in their own homes for as long as safely possible. In communities across the country, these independent-minded adults have joined together to form organizations—typically called "villages"—that help them to realize this goal. Today there are about 50 such communities nationwide.

NSV is modeled on one of the most successful of these self-generated communities, Boston's Beacon Hill Village, which began in the 2001 and now has more than 400 members. Inspired by Beacon Hill's success and driven by the need they saw in their own community, two Evanston residents with a rich history of community activism, Libby Hill and Harriet Friedlander, initiated the village concept in Evanston in 2007. They were soon joined by many volunteers from Evanston and Wilmette to make the concept a reality. NSV incorporated as an Illinois nonprofit in 2008, received 501(c)(3) status in 2009 and officially launched in February 2010 with 129 founding members.

North Shore Village has the support of well-regarded strategic partners, led by Mather LifeWays, through its Community Initiatives division. NSV is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and has an Advisory Council of community and business leaders from Evanston and Wilmette. As a nonprofit, the Village also relies on the generosity of foundations and corporate and individual donors. The Village is managed by Helen Gagel (Executive Director) and Tommi Ferguson (Manager of Member Engagement), with the active involvement of a strong corps of volunteers.

NSV is creating its own unique community, one shaped by its members to reflect their interests and needs. If you are an Evanston or Wilmette resident, age 60 or older, and your choice is to "age in place," we invite you to take a closer look at North Shore Village.

Learn more about our Services.