WOW where to begin - over 1300 members -talk about migration, I think NY wins but as a Jersey Girl , we are second. WOW - careers -we have all of it from a member who critiqued US Presidential speeches to a member who is international ranked Disc Golf Player. We have a Professor who has a PHD in Gas and Oil and will give you the Basics in Automotive Issues. Not to mention the writers, historians, naturalist, artist,
and the best game players in the area. The Library over flows with current fiction and an extensive collection of non- fiction. Our Fundraisers are over the top - October is our Bake Goods and our Souper Bowl is just in time near the Football Play Offs .
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As we retire from our careers and as we know that our generation is living longer, we need to educate ourselves and friends and strangers about the importance to continue to be active in mind and body.
LLI offers all of this. With over 250 courses per semesters, we are able to attended updates on personnel concerns - medicare, medical conditions and social and lots of other courses. We travel, locally and interstate - Presentations on world travel take us places that we may be to challenged to do in person or give us ideas as to where to travel. LLI embraces mental, physical and social elements of aging. But, let's think about this -in our careers, we may have been involved in focused careers. At LLI, we enjoy the all adventures of our careers.
I was afraid of retirement because I was sure I'd get bored. Not so. There are SO many classes to choose from at LLI and so many more I plan on taking. So far all of the classes I've taken have been fun and informatie.
Since retiring, I find that LLI keeps my brain active with so many programs to choose from. I enjoy familiar topics and the opportunity to expand my horizon and learn something new. The instructors are excellent and approachable and the staff is helpful and very patient! I have made new friends and the quality of my life has been elevated. I'm so happy to have found LLI!
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LLI is wonderful - so many interesting offered classes - history, art, music, activity -
something for everyone - in a welcoming environment-
people are all very nice - no matter what the class focus is -
Use it or lose it! Learn and re-learn.
LLI is the best value for your retirement dollars and time.
It is so delightful to have those “ oh, wow! I didn’t know that!” moments with other life long learners.
I cannot offer enough praise for our Lifelong Learning Institute, Midlothian. The Director and staff are the most welcoming, kind and helpful of any team I have ever met. The many classes offered cover a wide variety of topics such that there is something for everyone. And finally the sense of community is an intrinsic component of the Institute. It's a great place with great people for learning as well as socializing
Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) in Chesterfield (Midlothian VA) is truly a life-saver. We moved to Midlothian in 2018 after having spent over half a lifetime in NC/SC. Engagement in LLI allowed us to more quickly integrate into the community here in Midlothian. The classes offered by LLI are many in number and there is quite a variety. It's easy to find a class that you might enjoy regardless of interest. The staff is kind and helpful and truly focus on giving their membership a top-notch learning experience. The staff is knowledgeable about the resources for seniors here in Chesterfield County and has provided us with amazing information and support. LLI saved us during COVID. I cannot say enough positive about LLI. We are LUCKY to have this nonprofit in our lives.
It’s critically important for everyone BUT ESPECIALLY SENIORS to socialize with a diversity of people. The Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) in Chesterfield is a great option to do just this! For a very reasonable annual fee, one can become a member. Available engagement options include a wide variety of classes, socializing in the lounge, a variety of trips (usually with an additional fee), monthly luncheons and birthday celebrations, card and board game sessions, and a variety of exercise options. I can’t imagine not being a member. I have made so many new friends!
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Now in my early 80’s being an emeritus professor, I always value the opportunity to socialize with people who are retired, to participate in various activities. Those activities at LLI include health-appropriate fitness classes, classes on a wide variety of topics (some new, take because of my curiosity, and some related to an existing topic of interest), and also opportunities to in fact teach classes. But even more valuable to me is to socialize with other members - on day trips, in the lounge (always with coffee and hot water for tea available), and in library.
A wonderful place for seniors to gather , learn and commensurate. Exceptionally run mostly by the volunteers! There’s a real buy in that this is a special place. Courses are numerous and diverse. Pilates in the morning and the history of local mining in the afternoon are just a few. Exceptional senior instructors make everything fun.
The variety of classes and activities is endless! I feel like a college kid again...looking forward the next term and what I might be learning. Yoga? Painting? History? Finance? It's all here.
What an excellent resource for our community. Dedicated volunteer instructors covering a wide variety of topics. Really something for everyone: art, computers, woodworking, dance, music, history, language, yoga, cards, games, theater, field trips. Conveniently located, friendly folks. And many online offerings. Highly recommended for "those of a certain age."
I take courses from LLI to improve by knowledge of technology and to improve my computer skills. Each and every course, I take, provides me with information that I can use and apply. LLI courses are a great way to improve a person's capabilities with cell phones, iPads, and laptop computers. The instructors are knowledgeable and dedicated. LLI is top notch..
I have been a member of LLI for 5 years. During the covid pandemic LLI was a true life saver and life line. I take lots of classes each semester and love the variety that is available. There is a great community atmosphere and a great place to meet people and make new friends. I recommend it to people all the time. We are truly blessed to have LLI for us to connect with others.
LLI has introduced me to topics of information that I never would have explored in my earlier years. These topics have given me a new way to think by enriching my observation skills, critical thinking and interactions with other classmates.
The instructors are so gifted in the presentation of the course material making LLI a true learning experience.
I was told about the Lifelong Learning Institute after I retired at the age of 58 due to depression. I soon began to take classes and being around people again helped ease my depression and I was able to make many new friends. The Director, Rachel, her staff and all the volunteers were so accommodating and helpful during my initial interaction and have continued to advise me and answer any questions or concerns.
Shortly, after Covid started, my wife and I decided she would also retire. She has now been taking classes for almost 2 years now and loves it as much as I do.
All in all, I cannot say enough about how great our local LLI is and I will hopefully be a member for many more years.
Since the beginning of May, I've had lots of adventures! My cat Katie and I Zoomed to the last frontier of the USA having wonderful adventures with a great historian. Via Zoom we also "flew" over to have some great coastal walks in Britain. We checked in at home to catch some Arabic lessons; would you believe my cat recognizes the sound of instructor Charlie's voice?? I (being a late sleeper) managed to show up at LLI to learn some German. It's hard, but another student has volunteered to help me. Thursdays at LLI are special for that is when I join my class of "zanies" referred to as "Readers' Theater." We've been performing for some time now; it's not just reading, it's acting, too. In addition, we have a group of 7 who perform at various times - 2 guys and 5 gals. The guys even write the scripts. At LLI we are entertained by various groups; recently it was a hootenanny that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Lifelong Learning Institute is truly a great place to be!!!
Not only does LLI Chesterfield offer a phenomenal number of courses by knowledgeable, personable instructors but it provides an important community venue for cultivating friendships, new and old. The staff is clearly out to 'make my day' for all participants!
LLI is a wonderful local resource with tremendous instructors who have a wealth of past personal experience. I feel the quality is comparable to that of top universities and have really enjoyed learning there!
The Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield is an excellent resource for seniors. The quality and the variety of classes offered is wonderful. There's something available for nearly any interest you may have. The volunteer instructors are experts in their fields and spend many hours preparing enlighting and enjoyable courses. The office staff and volunteers go above and beyond to offer a welcoming and fun environment.
As a 10 yr LLI member, I have been pleased with most of the classes I have registered for. I especially like the Zoom option, when I am traveling and it was great during the Covid-19 crisis.
I especially enjoy the chair yoga, history options and in the past, when I lived closer to LLI, the hospice crafts. The luncheons are very well organized and attended.
The entertainment, music performances of talented members is enjoyable.
Keep up your good work supporting needs of seniors, socially, mentally, physically and educationally.
My journey at the Lifelong Learning Institute began in 2009 when I was searching for an organization to learn to play mah jongg. That journey has taken me down many paths of learning, friendships and exceptional experiences. I am so grateful for this incredible organization and its leadership, volunteer instructors, office staff and the many volunteers that keep it running.
I heard great things about LLI and decided to join. It has been more than ten years now and my enjoyment has grown and grown. I now also participate in volunteer teaching and have learned about new areas by preparing for different classes. I have personally benefited from participation and I see many others who consider the organization a lifeline. Many of us have found new friends and developed new skills and interests. What's not to like in an organization that offers everything from Ancestry to Zumba? I am very fortunate to be able to take part in what I believe is a unique resource for seniors.
The Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield provides incredible classes and social opportunities for those aged 50 and better in the Richmond area. For a low annual membership you get access to varied exercise, music, arts, theater, crafts, history, current topics, technology, literature, humanities, languages, philosophy, religious, and social activities, classes, and opportunities. These are presented by LLI member volunteers and the community! The multi-talented and helpful small staff run LLI like a finely tuned machine. I've been a very happy member for over a year and I feel privileged to be able to teach in the last two semesters. I highly recommend everyone to check the course offerings to see if this great organization might be something for them.
Lifelong Learning Institute is an invaluable resource to the senior community in Chesterfield County. Not only does it offer a remarkably wide range of learning opportunities, but a chance to interact with others who have similar interests. Having an opportunity to continue learning but also make new friends is extraordinary. This is a very special place.
Great courses, fantastic atmosphere for making new friends and being part of a community of like individuals
LLI is FANTASTIC!
SO many diverse virtual and in-person courses, classes, exercises, and tours.
I'm very partial to most of the history and art history classes.
ALL volunteers put in hours of preparation.
Shep Smith is AMAZING
I have found some extremely interesting presentations and "courses" discovering background on WWII, both at home and overseas; artists like Dali and Picasso; introduction to water color; and fun stuff like improv. Some very nice people run this like air traffic controllers, which rooms to use, when and for what. Nice bunch of folks
Having been a member of LLI for 12 years, I find it hard to remember what I did with my life before that. Unlike most members, I didn’t have a career. A warm, wonderful, welcoming school for seniors who seek enrichment, it’s a place to not only choose from over 200 courses this summer but also to make good friends! I drive about 60 miles per week to be a part of this group which I see as a gift from God for my days.
LLI provides socialization and the chance for fun in the many games it offers. I play mah jongg, and hand and foot. Most important for me is the exercise activity Sit and Be Fit. When I was recovering from surgery and even now, it has been most helpful. I have regained my self-confidence mostly due to LLI. The intellectual classes stimulate my brain, and I am even going to teach a class. I am lost on the weeks LLI is closed. The nonprofit is a blessing to me and to the entire senior community.
Joining Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield was the best decision we ever made. Socialization during retirement years is crucial to having healthy mental health. Loneliness is prominent in the elderly years. This wonderful place of learning and building friendships is priceless! We are so fortunate to have such a wide variety of courses to choose from and at a reasonable membership fee. The volunteer facilitators of the courses are of such a high caliber! The staff is amazing! A lot of us members don't have family nearby so our LLI friendships are like "Family"! Thanks to LLI my husband and I have a full retirement life!!!! We love everything about LLI!
It’s been an honor and privilege to teach classes here and I’m very blessed in the community. The people are great and the staff is wonderful!
When one retires from an active professional life it becomes necessary to replace the activities and relationships that made you look forward getting out of bed to each day. At the same time your body is changing so the activities and relationships need to change also. LLI provides an opportunity for both new activities and relationships. For me that means physical activities (aerobics, yoga) commensurate with my age (80) and mental activities (drawing and painting) to keep my mind sharp. Each class that I take has provided me with an opportunity to develop new relationships with people who have common interests and abilities. As a 12 year veteran I cannot imagine what my life would be like without LLI.
Words cannot express my immense gratitude to Lifelong Learning Institute for being such a lifesaving resource through the pandemic. I just cannot imagine how I would have made it through without the great classes, and even more, the discussion groups that enabled me to feel close to other people. That social contact is so very important to our mental health. I feel I have made friends through conversation and getting to know one another. My great thanks to those who have made all this possible.