On October 22, 2026, the Southwest Organizing Project’s (SWOP) Older Adult Leaders hosted an English-language Power of Planning workshop in partnership with the Center for Disability & Elder Law (CDEL), Sinai Chicago, Holy Cross Hospital, and the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN). The workshop brought community members together to discuss important decisions surrounding healthcare, finances, property, and caregiving, helping participants prepare for unexpected circumstances and gain a better understanding of the resources available to them.
The workshop grew out of the collective action of SWOP’s older adult organizing, as leaders recognized a need for accessible information on topics that many families have not considered or may find difficult to discuss. Conversations about emergencies, end-of-life decisions, and what happens when a loved one can no longer make decisions for themselves are often uncomfortable. However, avoiding these conversations can leave families unprepared during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
The Power of Planning workshop created a space for participants to ask questions, learn about their options, and begin thinking about how to make these important decisions before a crisis occurs. Topics included assigning powers of attorney, healthcare decision-making, property and financial planning, living wills, and preparing for future caregiving needs.
Lissette Ortegon, an attorney with CDEL, guided participants through the planning process, drawing on her experiences working with individuals and families navigating these situations. She also made time to answer participants’ questions, addressing a wide range of concerns related to circumstances they had already experienced or were currently facing. By connecting practical information with real-life experiences, the workshop helped make difficult subjects more approachable and encouraged participants to consider steps they could take to protect themselves and their loved ones.
For SWOP’s Older Adult Leaders, this work is about more than sharing information. It is about making sure community members have the knowledge and resources they need to make informed decisions, maintain their independence, and support their families through difficult transitions.
SWOP Leader Sonia shared how her own experience with the passing of her father shaped her understanding of why these conversations matter.
“When I had to deal with the passing of my father, we hadn't discussed any of this. There's a stigma behind talking about what needs to happen in cases of emergency and that fear leaves us vulnerable when and if something does happen. It doesn't matter how old someone is, things happen and we have to make sure that we are prepared to deal with them.”
Sonia’s experience reflects the importance of creating opportunities for families to have these conversations before they are faced with an emergency. Planning ahead does not mean expecting the worst. Instead, it gives individuals and their loved ones the opportunity to understand their options, communicate their wishes, and make decisions with greater confidence when it matters most.
Through partnerships with organizations like CDEL, Sinai Chicago, Holy Cross Hospital, and IMAN, SWOP’s Older Adult Leaders are helping bring essential resources directly into the community. Their collective efforts demonstrate the power of older adult organizing to identify shared needs, connect neighbors with trusted partners, and create opportunities for people to learn from one another.
The Power of Planning workshop served as an important reminder that preparing for the future is not something families have to do alone. By making these conversations more accessible and providing community members with the tools to begin planning, SWOP and its partners are helping older adults and families take meaningful steps toward greater peace of mind and security. SWOP will be hosting a second Power of Planning workshop in Spanish on October 29th, contact Joel Rodriguez if you are someone you know has an interest in attending.
