The Greek Elder Care Network, a social impact organisation based in New York and focused on providing essential support and resources to the elderly and their families in the Greek American community, is set to host a virtual book discussion on September 25 with Australian author Sally Jane Smith.
The discussion will center on Smith’s memoir, Unpacking for Greece, a heartfelt journey through Greece’s natural and cultural landscapes, where she reconnects with her past, overcomes her fears, and rediscovers her passion for life, “one olive at a time.”
The book has attracted international attention and has been featured in multiple book clubs across the US, Dubai, and Sydney. It has also been highlighted by the Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida and the Hellenic American Women’s Council in the Great Lakes region. In 2023, it was named a Book of the Month by Greek News Agenda/Reading Greece.
Founded in 2021 by Angie Xidias, the Greek Elder Care Network aims to help provide elder care support, services, and resources for the Greek American community.
“We look forward to our book club discussion for Unpacking for Greece by Sally Jane Smith. This book beautifully captures the essence of connections and how important journal writing can be, a topic we explored in our meeting last month,” Xidias said.
“For us Greek Americans, it will be fascinating to see how a tourist connects to our beloved country of Greece in ways that perhaps we see ourselves connect to our roots as well. We will explore these topics in our Book Club discussion next month, and we hope you’ll join us.”
Recognising that caregiving can be overwhelming and isolating, the organisation seeks to offer comprehensive support not only to the elderly but also to caregivers and families.
Sally Jane Smith’s journey through Greece continues in ‘Repacking for Greece’
The Network’s initiatives include a meal plan, community events, and, most recently, the Greek Elder Care Book Club.
In 2024, the Greek Elder Care Network launched the Book Club Initiative, a platform designed to connect authors with the group, immersing readers in the enriching world of literature.
“Reading is a universal activity that benefits everyone, from older adults to caregivers and teens,” said Xidias.
“It provides cognitive stimulation, social interaction, community building, and emotional well-being. It can bring joy, comfort, and inspiration, and can also help manage the loss of a loved one. Engaging with literature allows individuals to explore different emotions, perspectives, and life experiences. By creating a space for our diverse members to share experiences and discussions, the book club can enhance our overall quality of life and strengthen our community.”
To date, the group has hosted in-person book talks featuring Greek American authors Valerie Nifora and Dino Pavlou.
This summer, they introduced Unpacking for Greece as their reading pick during a virtual event on July 17.
“What struck me, in that first conversation with the group, is how quickly we connected,” Smith said.
“We may have dialed in from different continents, but we all engaged both with the magnetic quality of Greece as a destination and with the more personal aspects of the story, especially the role played by my mom’s 1978 travel diary.”
The virtual event is open to all and will take place on Wednesday, September 25 at 7 pm EST. Interested participants can sign up here. A limited number of books are available for purchase through the Greek Elder Care Network, with proceeds supporting the organization’s community work. For more information about the Greek Elder Care Network, the book club, and other upcoming events, visit their website.
