Arts & Entertainment
Back of the Yards Coffeehouse Is Bringing Seniors Together With Free Coffee, Activities
As people age, staying connected can become harder.
Research shows loneliness is a real concern for older adults, including those living in Chicago neighborhoods.
Every Monday, Back of the Yards Coffeehouse hosts Senior Mondays, welcoming seniors to enjoy a free coffee and pastry while participating in activities designed to foster community and connection.
The idea for Senior Mondays came after owner Jesse Iñiguez and his wife noticed their own parents struggling to find social spaces in the neighborhood.
“My mom’s a senior,” Iñiguez said. “A lot of folks in my generation are taking care of kids and the seniors. And in some cases, there are seniors that are locked up behind closed doors, and they’re invisible.”
On a recent Monday, seniors gathered for a yoga class, followed by conversation, laughter and games like bingo, lotería and dominoes.
For 67-year-old Georgina Clara, the event provides a much-needed sense of connection. Having lived in Back of the Yards for more than three decades — raising six children and building a life in the neighborhood — she now focuses on staying active and social.
“This is really nice because I’m a very social person, and the reality is many children forget about their moms,” Clara said in Spanish. “Here, it feels like you’re finding family. I try to motivate my friends to do things, too. I invite them to computer class or ballet class. I’m not the best dancer, but I’m trying. Before, I couldn’t do the things I liked, and now I can.”
Iñiguez’s father-in-law also finds purpose in the program.
“People come here stressed, and we can give them a bit of relief,” Frederico Orozco said in Spanish. “They leave happy, and they come back.”
Iñiguez said Senior Mondays reflect the neighborhood’s deep Mexican roots and the lives of seniors who have spent decades providing for their families.
“When people retire, sometimes it makes it like they don’t have anything to do and they start to deteriorate,” Iñiguez said. “But when you start finding new hobbies or you start realizing you like to do this, you discover new friends, it brings you new life and new motivation to live. We want our seniors to be here for a long time.”
Hosting events like this is exactly what Iñiguez envisioned for his business. After more than 10 years in the community, the coffee shop is now on the first floor of the historic Goldblatt’s building, redeveloped into a hub with a coffee shop, bakery, barbershop and retail store.
“The idea is we are trying to build generational wealth, and at one point we hope to own the entire space,” Iñiguez said. “The message we want to share to our seniors and the people in our community is that they truly are a blessing to our community.”
Every Monday from 9 a.m. to noon, seniors are invited to enjoy free coffee and pastries while connecting with neighbors. Those interested in supporting the program can make donations online or contact the shop about sponsoring Senior Mondays.
