It Takes A Village: Discover Senior Organizations in Chicago
For over 30 years, H.O.M.E. has been committed to helping seniors in Chicago maintain independent and enriched lives within their communities. Our work reaches beyond the Good Life Residences located on North Sheridan in Chicago -- it expands to the South and West sides of Chicago, where many of our upkeep & repair and shopping bus customers reside.
In these unprecedented times we were given the opportunity to continue serving our beloved community of seniors throughout the Chicagoland area, thanks to the COVID-19 relief fund from The United Way Metro and The Chicago Community Trust. Grocery, hot food, and essential deliveries replaced our shopping bus, moving, and upkeep & repair services.
While we have been happy to answer the call, and continue to be a valued resource for low-income seniors in Chicago there are many other organizations in Chicago that have dedicated their time and resources to uplifting and supporting our most vulnerable and valuable community, at all times. In the spirit of unity, we at H.O.M.E. would like to highlight some of the other incredible organizations in Chicago selflessly serving our seniors.
My Block My Hood My City (M3) is an organization whose mission is to educate, empower and engage youth from low-income and moderate income communities of Chicago to work together to advocate for social, economic and educational justice and become agents for positive change. My Block My Hood My City’s purpose is to expose youth to their impact within their communities and communities beyond.
While M3’s purpose is rooted in exposing youth to their impact within their communities and communities beyond, they have cleverly combined this opportunity with another radical form of activism: advocating and supporting our elderly, by way of the youth. Throughout our most extreme weather months M3 has risen to the occasion and met the needs of our most vulnerable community. Whether it be galvanizing volunteers to shovel snow for the elderly who can not in Englewood or delivering water bottles and fans to seniors in need, M3 has risen to the occasion and met the needs of seniors in need.
Most recently, M3 launched a new program focused on intergenerational connection and support: the Youth-Senior Connect, to a new initiative to employ out-of-school youth to provide services for seniors throughout Chicagoland. This remarkable program’s application process is currently full, and promises a cross-generational impact that will provide much-needed resources and support to seniors in need. To learn more about My Block, My Hood, My City and donate to their programs please visit https://www.formyblock.org/
Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly is a national network of non-profit volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. Before founding H.O.M.E., Michael Salmon worked to establish the Chicago chapter of Little Brothers. This long-standing non-profit organization has dedicated its services to the elderly for over _ years with a myriad of programs, including monthly birthday parties, summer vacations, social clubs, and essential services like social work support and emergency weather assistance.
At Little Brothers’ building and across the city, elders meet with good friends to celebrate life and stay connected to the community, as well as their hobbies and interests. All their programs are available at no-cost, and provide vital companionship and connection to older adults across the city. Their organization has been an incredible inspiration for H.O.M.E., and is a shining example of the benefits of intergenerational connection.
If you're interested in connecting with isolated seniors through LBFE, learn more at https://littlebrotherschicago.org/wecare
Chicago Food Depository is another long-running organization committed to supporting Chicagoland’s seniors. The Food Depository provides food for ten Older Adult Community Markets throughout Cook County. In these markets, older adults can choose from a variety of fresh produce and nonperishable food items. Additionally, the Food Depository provides food items to low-income senior residences to help stretch tight grocery budgets by providing older adults with nutritious food to prepare at home. Their broad reach also includes support for Chicago Cook County veterans with a variety of innovative programs and partnerships.
Year-round, the Great Chicago Food Depository’s program is far-reaching, providing food to communities throughout the city. As we all rise to the occasion for our communities, the Food Depository has extended itself to reallocate a large amount of their resources to the south and west sides, Black and Brown communities that have been particularly impacted by the pandemic. With their generous and passionate response to COVID-19, the Food Depository more than doubled the amount of residents they serve since January. To learn more about their response and to donate to ending food insecurity for all Chicagoans visit https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/
Casa Central is the largest Hispanic social service agency in the Midwest. Since 1954, Casa Central has delivered evidenced based, award winning programming in response to the needs of the Hispanic community. This Pilsen-based organization’s myriad of services include programs and care to Latino and other older adults, 60 years of age and older. The Center offers Home Care services, in addition to their Adult Wellness Center.
While their Adult Wellness Center is temporarily closed and awaiting guidance from the Illinois Department on Aging and Governor Pritzker’s office to re-open, their Home Care Services Program continues to provide essential in-home services to older adults in need so they may remain safe and independent as they age. Casa Central’s programs provide day-to-day caregiving, help with meals, mobility, and personal care, and strives to support each participant's independence and improve their quality of life.
To learn more about Casa Central’s impact on the lives of Latinos and other older adults in the city of Chicago, visit https://www.casacentral.org/our-programs/seniors/
Other wonderful and dedicated organizations in Chicago serving seniors to familiar yourself with:
Chinese American Service League
There have been many organizations that have met the call for action to assist Chicago’s community of older adults in these times of uncertainty, and we are proud to be able to uplift and honor those that are doing the work all across the city. From Roseland to Uptown, we are all working towards the common goal of ending isolation for seniors, creating space in community for seniors, and ensuring they are safe, healthy, and allowed the joy of aging independently.
Together, we are stronger, and together we have the power to make this world a better place for all human beings. Thank you to all of those doing the work daily. We encourage you to follow them and get involved with the organization that speaks to you!