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Somewhere in Uganda today, a young doctor is treating patients. A nurse is caring for families. A midwife is helping bring new life into the world. A pharmacist is filling prescriptions. A fashion designer is building a business. A technology professional is beginning a career.
Many of these journeys began with a single opportunity. And behind that opportunity stand Betty and Charlie Laliberte. The former Elmhurst residents moved to Beacon Hill senior living community in Lombard two years ago.
For them, creating those opportunities has become a way of life.
Married for 54 years, the couple are the founders of ChildrenUP, a nonprofit that helps promising young people in Uganda continue their education beyond primary school. Over the past 15 years, their quiet but determined work has helped students pursue careers that once felt impossible.
What began with one student has grown into a program supporting more than 100 scholars and continues to expand, thanks to a circle of generous donors.
From Elmhurst Classrooms to the World
Long before their work in Uganda, Betty and Charlie spent decades shaping young lives closer to home. Both retired from York High School in Elmhurst, where Betty served as a librarian and Charlie taught art.
Retirement, however, didn’t slow them down.
“For us, retirement is not at all retiring,” Betty said. “It’s having the gift of time to follow your passions.”
Soon after leaving their York, High School careers, the Lalibertes accepted positions at the Istanbul International School in Turkey. Betty again worked as a librarian while Charlie stepped back into the art classroom.
“It was the most wonderful three years,” Betty recalled.
They embraced the culture, the people, and the rhythm of life abroad. The school calendar offered a unique perk: every six weeks, teachers received a full week off. The Lalibertes spent that time traveling, exploring places like the Greek Islands and Rome while immersing themselves in cultures far from home.
What they did not know at the time was that one future trip would permanently change their lives.
A Journey That Became a Mission
One of their fellow teachers in Istanbul, moved on to Uganda. Curious about the country and eager to visit their colleague, Charlie and his daughter decided to make the trip.
What began as a memorable travel experience soon became something much deeper.
At the time, northern Uganda was emerging from years of violent conflict and insurrection. In towns such as Gulu, families were only beginning to rebuild their lives.
By the time Charlie and his daughter arrived, the region was slowly returning to normal. But the scars of the past were still visible. And the challenges for young people remained enormous.
Meeting Nancy
During that visit, Charlie met a student named Nancy.
She had been orphaned by AIDS and raised by her grandmother. To make ends meet, they broke quarry stones with sledgehammers to sell to road crews. Despite these circumstances, Nancy was an exceptional student and had earned a scholarship to continue her education, a remarkable achievement. What she lacked were the funds for room, board, and the basic expenses required to attend school.
“We wanted to help support her,” Charlie said. “And one thing led to another as we looked for others to help. Nancy was largely the inspiration.”
That decision marked the beginning of what would become ChildrenUP.
Nancy went on to complete college and graduate school, studying forestry. Today she works in health and safety for an agricultural enterprise and helps other students pursue their own education.
Bridging the Gap Through Education
In Uganda, primary school ends after seventh grade. Students who wish to continue move into secondary boarding schools for four years, followed by optional advanced years that prepare them for university or vocational training.
For many families, the cost makes continuing education impossible.
ChildrenUP Helps Bridge That Gap
With the help of local educators, ChildrenUP identifies students who score high on national exams at the end of seventh grade and show strong academic promise. The organization has two levels of mentors for every student. “If a child needs help, there’s always someone there to advise them and oversee their progress,” said Charlie. Mentors provide for students’ needs and concerns, assist with payment of expenses, and foster communication. The program supports the students through the six years following primary school and, in some cases, beyond. “We have students at the university level,” said Betty.
Students who enter the secondary school program may be anywhere from 14 to 19 years old, depending on when they were able to attend school earlier in life.
One guiding principle remains constant. The program supports equal numbers of girls and boys.
Where They Are Now
Today, Betty and Charlie live at Beacon Hill senior living community in Lombard.
From there, they continue the work they began years ago connected to Uganda, engaged with supporters, and deeply involved in causes that matter to them. Neighbors have learned about ChildrenUP through conversations and shared stories, often choosing to support the program themselves.
For the Lalibertes, Beacon Hill represents not a pause, but a continuation, a place where the values that shaped their lives still have room to grow.
“I’m constantly touched by the kindness and generosity of Beacon Hill residents,” said Executive Director Elijah Heyboer. “Betty and Charlie truly exemplify the very best of this community, a spirit of giving that extends far beyond these walls.”
Stories like theirs emerge naturally here. They’re created in dining-room conversations, formed through shared experiences, and strengthened by a community of people who bring decades of purpose with them into each new chapter.
A Life Still Opening Doors
For Betty and Charlie, ChildrenUP is simply another way of doing what they’ve always done: teaching, encouraging, and opening doors.
While the impact stretches halfway around the world, its roots are deeply human… curiosity, compassion, and a belief in what people can become when they’re given a chance.
And for those who visit Beacon Hill, it’s often the people who leave the strongest impression. People like Betty and Charlie. People whose stories are still unfolding. People who remind you that good people don’t stop showing up for the world, they simply find new ways to do it.
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Residents at Friendship Village and students of Elmhurst Learning and Success Academy (ELSA) celebrated their unique partnership in a suitably inimitable way. Earlier this month, seniors and their young friends with cognitive disabilities honored their friendship by scuba diving in Friendship Village’s beautiful aquatic center.
91-year old Velma Robinson said that scuba diving was “fantastic.” She added that the opportunity permitted her to try something new. “I just can’t see people sitting in their rooms watching TV when they can get out and enjoy life,” she said.
Friendship Village is a retirement community in Schaumburg. Jeannette Magdaleno, manager of life-long learning and volunteer services who coordinated the event said, “We are always encouraging the residents to try something new.” Over the past several years, Friendship Village’s lifestyles department has introduced residents to rock climbing, laser tag, archery, iFLY indoor skydiving, go-karting, snow tubing, and now scuba diving. “When you try something new, it makes you feel very alive,” she said.
The residents of Friendship Village have been working on a volunteer project with students from ELSA, which is a four-year post-high school program at Elmhurst College for young adults with disabilities. The project, called New Life for Old Bags, uses recycled garbage bags to create sleeping mats for the homeless. “This event with Diveheart permitted the residents of Friendship Village and the students to celebrate their friendship while trying something new,” said Jeannette.
The scuba diving instruction was provided by Diveheart. The Downers Grove-based not-for-profit offers scuba diving instruction and opportunities to children and adults with disabilities and wounded veterans.
“Scuba diving was very exhilarating,” said 87-year old Helen Moffat, who tried out scuba diving. “It gives you a new lease on life!”
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Last week, 100 spirited participants, ages 70-94, gathered at South Bay at Mt. Pleasant senior living community for the 4th annual Liberty Games.
The Olympic-style event is a signature experience of Liberty Senior Living, a leader in the senior living industry. The Liberty Games brought residents from 10 of the organization’s independent living communities for three days of competition. Participating communities, in addition to the host, were The Barclay at SouthPark, Brightmore of South Charlotte, Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall, Brightmore of Wilmington, The Templeton of Cary, Wellington Bay, Pisgah Valley, Quail Haven Village, and Hayes Barton Place.
The Games were spearheaded four years ago by Haley Kinne-Norris, INSPIRE Wellness and Enrichment Coordinator for Liberty Senior Living. “I wanted to find a fun way to bring everyone together for a healthy competition,” Kinne-Norris said. Liberty Senior Living boasts a strong commitment to a culture of wellness.
The 2025 event was spectacular from start to finish. Opening ceremonies started with a torch reportedly used in the Paris Olympics, a color guard presentation by cadets from the Citadel, and the energetic entrance of each team. The keynote address /pep talk was delivered by philanthropist inspirational speaker and retired basketball official, Dereck Whittenburg.
The extraordinary ceremony ended with a headstand by Cookie Finkelstein, an 83-year-old athlete from South Bay at Mt. Pleasant. The six-time cancer patient went on to win the ½ mile walk.
Athletes, many of whom have been training for months (if not the entire year since last year’s Games), participated in various events. The athletic competitions included bocce ball, putting, swimming, billiards, ping pong, shuffleboard, a water balloon tossing off a fourth-floor balcony towards a bull’s eye on the ground, and more.
In addition to the physical events, the Liberty Games included trivia, chess, and other cognitive competitions in which the residents’ minds were challenged.
A Culture of Wellness and Engagement
The Liberty Games were designed to crown champions and, even more importantly, foster a sense of community, camaraderie, and active engagement. The Liberty Games embody a corporate-wide commitment to promoting a culture of wellness, where staying engaged and active is a priority no matter your age.
Elizabeth Pierce, a resident of Brightmore of Wilmington, competed in several activities. The arthritis in one arm and shoulder and hip replacements she said, “don’t hold me back from having a good time. This is a fun and competitive way for me to represent my community and I feel great.”
Celebrating Achievement
After the Games, winners in each event were recognized with awards for first, second, and third place. The top-scoring teams were also recognized, with The Templeton of Cary taking home the gold for the third time.
A Legacy of Health and Wellness
Ultimately, the Liberty Games event proves to be much more than a competition—it is annually an inspiring celebration of active aging. The Liberty Games are a fun reminder that it’s never too late to pursue health, build friendships, and stay engaged with life. For the participants, the games are a chance to challenge themselves, laugh with new friends, and take pride in staying active and involved to live a purposeful, independent and engaging life.
