Greencroft Communities Stories

A wise man once said that for-profit businesses compete, but not-for-profit organizations collaborate. At Southfield Village, that spirit of collaboration is more than an idea—it’s a way of life. And nowhere is that collaboration more evident than in our partnership with the Forever Learning Institute—Northern Indiana’s largest and most beloved senior-education nonprofit, founded by former Notre Dame professor Fr. Louis J. Putz, C.S.C.

Learning Just Steps Away 

For more than 50 years, Forever Learning Institute has been a beacon for adults who want to keep exploring the world. Today, its satellite campus at Southfield Village brings that spirit of curiosity and discovery directly into our community—making lifelong learning as accessible as walking down the hall. Residents can choose from a wide range of engaging classes designed purely for the joy of learning, with no tests or homework, just meaningful conversation and shared experiences.

Course offerings span fitness and wellness, creative arts, literature, foreign languages, technology, spirituality, and personal enrichment. Popular classes include pickleball, cardio drumming, American Sign Language, Forever Fit, and choral music. Through spring and fall semesters, as well as shorter summer and winter sessions, residents have ongoing opportunities to stretch their minds, try something new, and connect with others who share their interests.

Exploring New Horizons

For assisted living resident Margaret Jasiewicz, Forever Learning is both an intellectual and social lifeline. “I always want to keep learning something new,” she says. “It’s a chance to explore topics I’ve never thought of exploring before. They teach so many different subjects.” Over the years, Margaret has taken classes ranging from crafting and Sherlock Holmes to a comparative study of The Scarlet Letter. “We read the original version and then a more modern take and compared the two,” she recalls. “It was really fascinating.”

Some lessons extended beyond the classroom. Through a Forever Learning course, Margaret picked up sewing, and she now creates small handmade items for the Busy Hands program to brighten the days of nursing home residents. “What you learn in the classes is beneficial,” she says, “but it’s also a social thing. You get to know people, and sometimes you take more than one class together. You build relationships.”

A Journey of Curiosity

Independent living resident Pat Frazier, and Southfield Village’s former chaplain who officially retired last fall, found her way to Forever Learning through volunteer work, helping individuals learn English. “I thought, if these people can work hard and learn a new language, I could too,” she says. Drawn by the variety of class offerings, Pat enrolled in Spanish, ancestry research, and a course on living with hearing loss. “Each class taught me something valuable,” she notes.

One class, in particular, broadened Pat’s perspective. “The Spanish class really expanded my point of view,” she says. “We have people in our community who are refugees from Central America, and this helped me connect with them in a deeper way.” For Pat, Forever Learning is both practical and enriching. “It never hurts to try,” she adds. “You could miss out on something that’s truly mind-expanding.”

Learning That Enriches Life

At its heart, Forever Learning reflects a shared belief between the Institute and Southfield Village: continued learning fosters intellectual stimulation, social interaction, and a deeper sense of purpose at every stage of life. These programs support Southfield Village’s mission to create a dynamic, faith-based living community that embraces the creativity, contributions, and challenges of aging—grounded in service excellence, compassionate care, and Christ-like values.

Together, Southfield Village, Forever Learning, and the residents who participate all benefit from this meaningful collaboration. It’s a reminder that curiosity doesn’t retire—and that the opportunity to grow, connect, and discover remains vibrant at any age.