2023 Fall Benefit
Thank you to our sponsors, partners, and guest who supported the 2023 Fall Benefit on September 14.
We are proud to celebrate 125 years of serving older adults and their families across Chicagoland.
We are grateful for the support of our community that makes our work possible!
This video was created to tell the story of CMSS' 125 years of care and highlight our current programs and services. Thanks to all the community members who participated and shared your stories with us.
2023 Fall Benefit Photos
We enjoyed celebrating the kickoff of our 125th Anniversary with our community. Thanks to all who attended and supported. Please enjoy these photos from the evening.
For 125 years, Chicago Methodist Senior Services (CMSS) has provided care and services to older adults in the Chicago region. Founded in 1898 by Alice Hartwell, this organization began as a home for the “elderly” with eight residents. Today CMSS is known for our person-centered care and we serve more than 2,000 residents and clients across three campuses. We provide memory care, short-term rehabilitation, long-term skilled nursing, home care services, low-income housing, and community services. As a nonprofit organization, our mission is to support, improve, and enhance the quality of life for older adults of all backgrounds by empowering them to live with dignity and respect. Read more about Our History here.
Thank you to our event sponsors!
Sustainers
Benefactors
Leaders
Innovators
In-Kind Donors
Your Gift to CMSS
CMSS offers a model of older adult care and residences that centers on fostering connection, meaning, engagement, and joy for older adults. As a non-profit organization, CMSS relies on the generosity of our family and friends to support our critical mission. Your contributions help make the following programs and services possible:
- Engaging Day Programs
- LGBT+ Programming
- Senior Connections
- Affordable Housing
- Home Care Services
- Short-Term Rehab
- Long-Term Care
- Memory Care
In every facet of our work, we empower each person we serve to live their best life and we meet the needs of each individual’s circumstances through our continuum of care.
As the demand for older adult care increases, your gift will make CMSS’s next century of specialized, compassionate care and services possible, especially for those most in need.
2023 Spirit Award Honoree
Paula Basta
Director
Illinois Department on Aging
2023 Spirit Award Honoree
PAULA BASTA
Director
Illinois Department on Aging
Paula Basta was appointed Director of the Illinois Department on Aging in March of 2019, becoming the 13th director, and seventh woman to lead the agency. As a lifelong advocate for the care and treatment of senior citizens, Paula brings her institutional knowledge of senior services, policy, and social justice to lead the Illinois Department on Aging.
Paula has over 40 years of experience working with Older Adults. The first 20 years of Paula’s career was spent in the not-for-profit sector for organization such as: Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly; St. Clement Catholic Church; and Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.). While at H.O.M.E, Paula was named Executive Director following the retirement of its founders and remained in that role for five years before embarking on a 20-year career in Government.
Paula’s governmental experience began with the City of Chicago’s Department on Aging as the Director of Information and Assistance. Paula then transitioned within the City of Chicago Department on Aging to begin a 14-year career as the Regional Director of the Northeast (Levy) Senior Center. Her most recent position prior to joining IDoA was with the Chicago Housing Authority as the Director of Senior Services and Health Initiatives. While serving as Director of Senior Services and Health Initiatives, Paula oversaw social services for 54 senior buildings and 10,000 seniors throughout Chicago.
