List of Programs
No matter where you are on your cancer journey, The Cancer Support Center has a program that can help you enhance your life, boost your mood, form new relationships with those who are on their cancer journey, and improve your overall quality of life. Read on to learn about each of our current programs offerings, including dates, times, locations, and links to register for Zoom programs. Participants will see benefits from any singular program, but it is encouraged to combine programs from multiple areas to get the most from your time at The Center. To attend programs in person at our Homewood or Mokena locations, please call 708-798-9171 or email us. To attend programs virtually, click the underlined program name in blue to be redirected to Zoom registration.
In an effort to help protect the health and safety all our participants and staff, we have made the decision to temporarily move group programming to virtual-only through Friday, January 14. We will resume with in-person group programs on Tuesday, January 18th (as we are closed Monday, January 17th in observance of Martin Luther King Day). We will remain open for walk-ins and individual appointments during regular business hours. All regularly scheduled group classes and presentations have been switched to virtual-only or canceled. Find more information or program changes below.
Recurring Education & Networking Groups
Bereavement Group (Virtual)
The first and third Thursday of the month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Blood Cancer Networking Group (Virtual)
The final Thursday of the month from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Brain Tumor Networking Group (Homewood)
Call 708-798-9171 to register.
The second Thursday of the month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Breast Cancer Networking Group (Virtual)
The first Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Caregivers Networking Group (Virtual)
The third Tuesday of the month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Colorectal Cancers Group (Virtual)
The second Monday of the month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Gynecological Cancer Networking Group (Virtual)
The third Wednesday of each month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Lung Cancer Networking Group (Virtual)
The final Wednesday of each month from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Men’s Discussion Group (Virtual)
Every Thursday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Networking (Virtual)
The First Wednesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Metastatic Cancer Networking (Virtual)
The final Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Mother’s Grief Group (Hybrid - Homewood or Virtual)
The last Thursday of each month from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The third Wednesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Young Adult Breast Cancer Networking Group (Virtual)
The second Wednesday of each month from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Recurring Counseling & Stress Management
Art Journaling (Virtual)
Email Kelly to receive a prompt each Thursday in your inbox.
Art Open Studio (Hybrid - Homewood OR Virtual)
Every Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Art Therapy: Drawing + New Materials (Virtual through Jan. 24)
Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Art Therapy: Drawing + New Materials (Hybrid - Mokena OR Virtual)
Every Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Every Friday from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Journeying Inward: Deep Relaxation for Well-Being & Stress Relief (Virtual)
The third Wednesday of each month from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Individual, Family, and Couples counseling
In-person or virtually. Contact Kathleen Daly for more information.
Monday Meditation with Cecily (Virtual)
Every Monday from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
*CANCELED THROUGH FEB. 3* Sound Bath (Homewood)
Call 708-798-9171 to register.
In Homewood every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Tibetan Bowl (Mokena)
Every other Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
This sound meditation creates a space of peace, well-being, harmony, balance, and brings profound therapeutic benefits. Bring a pillow or blanket, and wear loose clothing. Class is limited to 7 participants. Call 708-478-3529 to register.
Recurring Fitness & Physical Wellness
Chair Yoga with Cecily (Virtual)
Every Monday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Yoga is a body-mind-breath practice that promotes healing and well-being, and improves strength, flexibility, and balance in your body and in your life. Join us to participate in this ancient tradition done in the comfort and safety of a chair in its new time slot on Mondays at 12 p.m. Participants have said, "Yoga has helped me deepen awareness of body, mind, and spirit,” and that this program has helped them find balance in peace in life. Meditation will follow in its usual timeslot at 1 p.m.; you do not have to attend yoga to participate in meditation.
Gentle Floor Yoga Nidra with Karen (Hybrid - Mokena OR Virtual)
Every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Moves That Matter (Hybrid - Homewood OR Virtual)
Every Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Gentle Yoga with Marcela (Homewood)
Every Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 708-798-9171 to register.
Yoga for Healthy Movement (Mokena)
Every Thursday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Call 708-478-3529 to register.
Zumba Gold with Lori (Virtual)
Every Monday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Zumba Gold with Denise (Hybrid - Homewood OR Virtual)
Every Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Use code "cscgld" to access each class.
Every Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning.
Nutrition Education & Special Programs
Healthy Living 6-Week Program: Clean Eating & Weight Loss
Hybrid - Homewood Or Virtual
Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. from January 13 through February 17
Are you ready to make healthy lifestyle changes and set new nutrition goals for yourself? We would love to have you join our newest program; Healthy Living! Healthy Living is a 6-week small group program that can be attended virtually or in-person. You will receive current nutrition information, goal setting strategies and small group support. Together we can learn how to make our diets healthier. Facilitated by Chris Rosandich, MS, Nutrition Educator. Call 708-798-9171 to register in person, or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Easy Cooking for One or Two: Squashes & Sweet Potatoes
Hybrid - Mokena Or Virtual
Wednesday, January 19 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
It's possible to eat fresh, home-cooked meals, even if you live alone or with one other person. Join Chris as she shares tips, tricks, and recipes to make cooking fun, easy and healthy. Call (708) 478-3529 to register in person or click the program title above to register for the program on Zoom.
Techniques to Improve Bowel & Bladder Function to Reduce Pain
Virtual
Wednesday, January 19 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Join Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Lauren Mansell, DPT, CYT, PRPC to learn about techniques that can help with the quality of life during and after gynecological cancer treatment. Click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Cooking with Chef Marcia: Chowder, Gumbo, & More!
Hybrid - Homewood or Virtual
Tuesday, January 25 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join Chef Marcia as she teaches us how to cook with a variety of herbs, spices, and amazing ingredients to create wonderful meals. She has a way of making everything taste amazing! Presented by Culinary Chef Marcia Kuchta. Please call 708-798-9171 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Why is it So Hard to Say No to Sugar?
Hybrid - Mokena Or Virtual
Wednesday, January 26 from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Did you eat too many sweet treats this month? Do you find it is difficult to say no to pastries, cookies or candy? Research has proven that when you eat foods high in sugar, the brain releases large amounts of neurochemicals that make you feel good initially but causes increased cravings later. Let’s explore ways to cut back and overcome this love for sugar! Call (708) 478-3529 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Healthy Lifestyle Nutrition & Fitness Program
Hybrid - Mokena Or Virtual
Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
from February 1 to March 23
Healthy Lifestyle is an 8-week program designed to help support, empower and challenge you towards achieving your goals. Each week you will meet either online or in-person for one hour with a nutrition educator and one hour with a fitness instructor. By committing yourself weekly to this program, you will be encouraged through instruction and group support to create healthy habits and strive towards optimal health. You will learn advanced nutrition information and fitness methods that are designed to teach you safe and effective ways to improve your health and vitality. This is the perfect time to focus on a healthier you! Facilitated by Chris Rosandich, MS, Nutrition Educator, and Rob Cuttle, Personal Trainer. Call 708-478-3529 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Techniques to Reduce Muscle Tightness, Improve Balance & Flexibility
Mokena
The first Thursday of each month, starting February 3 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Muscle Activation Techniques (MAT) is a powerful muscular assessment tool that analyzes and corrects muscular imbalances. Rob Cuttle, Personal Trainer will discuss strategies and demonstrate skills necessary to achieve good balance and flexibility. Rob will share core exercises that train the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips, and abdomen to work in harmony to better support stability and strength. Call 708-478-3529 to register for this program.
Saving Energy & Living Fully with Occupational Therapy*
Mokena, Homewood, and Virtual
Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Mokena/Virtual from Feb. 7 - Mar. 14
Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Homewood/Virtual from Feb. 11 - Mar. 18
*same material will be covered on Mondays and Fridays
This group is designed to help you learn to use your daily physical and mental energy wisely to maximize participation in your daily activities. Kelsey Fedor, our Occupational Therapy intern, will be sharing tips and strategies to conserve your energy while still doing the activities you need or want to do. You will learn strategies such as proper body positioning, adaptive equipment, prioritizing/planning, and more. This six-week group is open to current cancer patients or survivors who struggle with fatigue, pain, or just want to be more efficient with their daily energy. Feel free to attend all six weeks or pop-in to the topics that interest you the most.
Week 1: Introduction, What is OT and energy conservation?
Week 2: Hygiene/grooming
Week 3: Housework
Week 4: Cooking/Shopping
Week 5: Leisure/work
Week 6: Tips for better sleep and wrap-up
Please call 708-798-9171 or 708-478-3529 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Virtual
Monday, February 7 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This presentation will briefly cover cannabis history and the application process as well as the role that cannabis can play as a treatment option for cancer as well as the role of cannabinoids in relieving the symptoms associated with traditional cancer treatments. Presented by Rick Niksic, Curaleaf Education and Outreach Coordinator. Click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Cooking with Chef Marcia: The Perfect Chili
Hybrid - Homewood or Virtual
Tuesday, February 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join Chef Marcia as she teaches us how to cook with a variety of herbs, spices, and amazing ingredients to create wonderful meals. She has a way of making everything taste amazing! Presented by Culinary Chef Marcia Kuchta. Please call 708-798-9171 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Eating Well After a Cancer Diagnosis: 10 Ways to Combat Fatigue & Regain Energy
Hybrid - Mokena or Virtual
Wednesday, February 9 from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
This program will empower you, step-by-step in making lifelong changes towards feeling better. Today’s discussion is on how to combat fatigue and get your energy back by following simple daily strategies. Call 708-478-3529 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Easy Cooking for One or Two: Breakfast Made Easy
Hybrid - Mokena or Virtual
Wednesday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
It's possible to eat fresh, home-cooked meals, even if you live alone or with one other person. Join Chris as she shares tips, tricks, and recipes to make cooking fun, easy and healthy. Call 708-478-3529 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Easy Cooking for One or Two: Healthy Fats
Hybrid - Mokena Or Virtual
Wednesday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
It's possible to eat fresh, home-cooked meals, even if you live alone or with one other person. Join Chris as she shares tips, tricks, and recipes to make cooking fun, easy and healthy. Call (708) 478-3529 to register in person or click the program title above to register for the program on Zoom.
Healthy Habits for 2022: Build Good Habits & Break Old Ones
Hybrid - Homewood or Virtual
Thursdays March 10 and 17 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.
The spring is the perfect time for fresh starts. Maybe that means eating healthier, drinking more water, cutting back on sugar or losing the10 pounds that crept up during the holidays. James Clear discusses in his book, ‘Atomic Habits’ that setting small, achievable goals is important but creating successful systems is the key. Let’s explore successful systems for you to get the results you desire in 2022. Call 708-798-9171 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Cooking with Chef Marcia: Jambalaya & Cornbread
Hybrid - Homewood or Virtual
Tuesday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join Chef Marcia as she teaches us how to cook with a variety of herbs, spices, and amazing ingredients to create wonderful meals. She has a way of making everything taste amazing! Presented by Culinary Chef Marcia Kuchta. Please call 708-798-9171 to register in person or click the program title above to register on Zoom.
Body Image Programs
The Cancer Support Center wig boutique provides high-quality wigs in a wide range of styles, colors, and textures to those undergoing chemo and experiencing hair loss. Contact us via email or by phone at 708-798-9171 to schedule a fitting.