Senior Connections
Connecting neighbors and building intergenerational friendships
Senior Connections is a no-cost program that matches trained volunteers with older adults to create mutually beneficial friendships. Volunteers visit older adults weekly for an hour of conversation, storytelling, and connecting over a shared interest or activity. Volunteers and participants meet in-person or over the phone.
Funding for Senior Connections provided in whole or in part by AgeOptions.
Why is Senior Connections so important?
- We believe that building friendships across generations strengthens the caring fabric of the community.
- We uphold that every person has something of value to offer and that their experiences, skills and interests can have a significant impact on the lives of others.
- We know that engagement in community and relationships, at any age, promote wellness, vitality and an enhanced quality of life.
- We welcome diversity and invite people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life to participate in Senior Connections.
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.
Join Senior Connections
Volunteers
Why Volunteer?
- Establish a meaningful relationship with an older adult
- 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
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
Older Adults
Why Participate?
- 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
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
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
Awards and Recognition
2022 Honoring Excellence Community Impact Award
Presented by LeadingAge Illinois
2021 Community Partner Award
Presented by Loyola University Chicago Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship
