Memory Cafe of the Midwest: Our First Gathering

A gathering place where people with memory or thinking changes and caregivers connect, spend time together and feel a sense of belonging. Memory Cafe of the Midwest: Our First Gathering is an in-person social gathering for local people living with changes in memory or thinking and the people who care about them. About Memory Cafe Memory Cafe is a welcoming, caregiver-centered community gathering where family members, friends, and professional caregivers can connect with others who understand their experiences. It offers a warm, low-pressure place for loved ones to participate fully together, with enjoyment, dignity, and togetherness at its heart. People living with any kind of memory or thinking changes, including dementia and other cognitive challenges, are welcome. The community is diagnosis-agnostic: no one is asked whether they have a diagnosis, and participants may choose whether to talk about memory changes. Memory Cafes are recurring gatherings, usually held once or a few times a month for 1–2 hours. Each is shaped by its local community and its needs and culture. They can take place in accessible settings such as libraries, museums, coffee shops, community centers, gardens, faith communities, or virtual spaces. No age restrictions, and we will not ask for your diagnosis or for a doctor's note. Our first gathering • Tuesday, November 17, 2026 • 10:00–11:30 a.m.; doors open at 9:30 a.m. • Enjoy coffee, a lightly sweet treat, a brief caregiver presentation, information from Collective for Hope, and time to connect through welcoming conversation. • An optional craft and light conversation with volunteers will be available for guests living with memory changes. • Caregivers and loved ones are welcome to stay together throughout the gathering.