Join us for Still Rockin’: A Night of Music to Support Programming and Resources for Older Adults

Join us for Still Rockin’: A Night of Music to Support Programming and Resources for Older Adults

Senior Connections

Woman smiling at a young male caretaker in a mask.

Senior Connections is a no-cost program that matches trained volunteers with older adults to create mutually beneficial friendships that reduce loneliness and isolation. 

Senior Connections is a no-cost program that matches trained volunteers with older adults to create mutually beneficial friendships that reduce loneliness and isolation.

Why is Senior Connections so important?

A Black woman with a shaved head and a yellow shirt smiling beautifully

Why Senior Connections?

Research has shown that lack of social connection is of greater detriment to our health than smoking up to fifteen (15) cigarettes per day, obesity, physical inactivity, or air pollution. Older adults, in particular, are among the most at-risk groups for loneliness and social isolation.

Through our Senior Connections program, CMSS is working to combat loneliness and isolation in our neighborhoods. By providing opportunities for social interaction and emphasizing the benefits of intergenerational friendships, we seek to strengthen our communities and support networks for older adults.

Read more about building social connections to combat loneliness here.

About the Program

In 1991, an Evanston church established Senior Connections. Read more about the founding of the program and its first Executive Director, Ellen Butkus here. For thirty years, the Senior Connections program has remained vital to the Chicagoland community by reducing loneliness and social isolation through intergenerational friendships.

Today Senior Connections is offered through CMSS. This is a vital and timely initiative building stronger communities, creating mutually beneficial connections, and combating social isolation and loneliness. 

Senior Connections Mission

The mission of Senior Connections is to strengthen the community by building relationships between generations that encourage happiness and health while bringing attention to social isolation and loneliness.

At Senior Connections, our goal is to heal the individual and community, one connection at a time. We do this by facilitating intergenerational friendships between older adults and dedicated volunteers, enhancing health through interdisciplinary approaches, in an environment of dignity and respect, regardless of socioeconomic status or background.

Where We Serve

The program has always and will continue to serve the northern suburbs of Chicago. We have also expanded the program to Chicago’s northside neighborhoods. Eventually we will also be active in the western suburbs!

Contact us to see if you’re in our current program area.

Image of Caretaker reading to senior woman holding a cup of tea.

Senior Connections Mission

The mission of Senior Connections is to strengthen the community by building relationships between generations that encourage happiness and health while bringing attention to social isolation and loneliness.

Our goal is to heal the individual and community, one connection at a time. We do this by facilitating intergenerational friendships between older adults and dedicated volunteers, enhancing health through interdisciplinary approaches, in an environment of dignity and respect, regardless of socioeconomic status or background.

Where We Serve

The program has always and will continue to serve the northern suburbs of Chicago. Soon, we will be expanding the program to Chicago’s northside neighborhoods and eventually, the western suburbs!

Contact us to see if you’re in our current program area.

Join Senior Connections

Join Senior Connections

For Volunteers

Qualifications of a Volunteer

Volunteers must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Commit to a weekly visit/call for a minimum of one year
  • Be able to travel, if visiting in person
  • Desire friendship with an older adult

 

Volunteers must complete:

  • Background check
  • Orientation
  • Onboarding and ongoing trainings
  • Periodic self-surveys
  • Brief visit reports

Why Volunteer?

  • Establish meaningful relationships with elders
  • Learn new skills from older adult participants
  • Share a talent with others
  • Meet neighbors in the community
  • Desire to give the gift of time and a listening ear
  • Improve physical and mental health through volunteering

For Older Adults

Qualifications of an Older Adult Participant

Participants must:

  • Be 55 years of age or older
  • Live within the geographic borders of the program
  • At the time of joining Senior Connections:
    • Show no signs of significant memory loss or mental illness
    • Live independently (not in an assisted living or skilled care setting)
  • Desire friendship with a volunteer
 

Participants must complete:

  • Background check
  • Orientation
  • In-home assessment
  • Periodic self-surveys

Why Participate as an Older Adult?

  • Establish meaningful relationships with younger generations
  • Learn new skills from volunteers
  • Share a talent with others
  • Meet neighbors in the community
  • Desire to give the gift of time and a listening ear
  • Improve physical and mental health through social connection

 

 

For Volunteers

Qualifications of a Volunteer

Volunteers must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Commit to a weekly visit/call for a minimum of one year
  • Be able to travel, if visiting in person

Desire friendship with an older adult

Volunteers must complete:

  • Background check
  • Orientation
  • Onboarding and ongoing trainings
  • Periodic self-surveys
  • Brief visit reports

Why Do Volunteers Become Friendly Visitors?

  • Establish meaningful relationships with elders
  • Learn new skills from older adult participants
  • Share a talent with others
  • Meet neighbors in the community
  • Desire to give the gift of time and a listening ear
  • Improve physical and mental health through volunteering

For Older Adults

Qualifications of an Older Adult Participant

Participants must:

  • Be 55 years of age or older
  • Live within the geographic borders of the program
  • At the time of joining Senior Connections:
    • Show no signs of significant memory loss or mental illness
    • Live independently (not in an assisted living or skilled care setting)
  • Desire friendship with a volunteer
 

Participants must complete:

  • Background check
  • Orientation
  • In-home assessment
  • Periodic self-surveys

Why Do Participants Join Senior Connections?

  • Establish meaningful relationships with younger generations
  • Learn new skills from volunteers
  • Share a talent with others
  • Meet neighbors in the community
  • Desire to give the gift of time and a listening ear
  • Improve physical and mental health through social connection

To apply to become a volunteer, please fill out our application.

For participant inquiries, referrals, or questions:

Email seniorconnections@cmsschicago.org 

Call 847-869-0682

A young woman in an orange dress and older woman a teal shirt and gray jeans share a laugh while seated on a couch.

Awards and Recognition

2022 Honoring Excellence Community Impact Award

Presented by LeadingAge Illinois

Logo of Leading Age Illinois.

2021 Community Partner Award

Presented by Loyola University Chicago Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship

Logo of Loyola University.

Awards and Recognition

2022 Honoring Excellence Community Impact Award

Presented by LeadingAge Illinois

Logo of Leading Age Illinois.

2021 Community Partner Award

Presented by Loyola University Chicago Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship

Logo of Loyola University.

Want to learn more?

Get in touch today!