Senior Community

Community Health Commission of Missouri horizontal logo which includes a graphic representation of the state of missouri is stacked above the Deaconess Foundation logo

The Seniors Community Fund

The Seniors Community Fund, a partnership between the Community Health Commission of Missouri (CHCM) and Deaconess Foundation, is a community-led initiative dedicated to improving services for seniors in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Since its launch in October 2023, the Fund has awarded $350,000 annually to organizations that address critical needs in transportation, safety, and health navigation for residents aged 55 and older.

A Fund Rooted in Community Voice

History of the Fund

The fund was established to: 

  • Strengthen the region’s public health infrastructure 
  • Promote transparency and accountability in senior services 
  • Ensure older adult have a voice in decision-making 

Guided by a Senior Advisory Board—composed of residents aged 55+ and representatives from senior-serving organizations—the Fund’s investments are shaped by community input gathered through focus groups, listening sessions, and surveys. Together, the Advisory Board identified three key priority areas for funding: transportation, safety, and health navigation support. 

Impact and Reach of the Fund

Since its inception, the Fund has supported dozens of community organizations that serve seniors in St. Louis City and County, as well as St. Charles, Jefferson, Warren, and Franklin Counties in Missouri and Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe Counties in Illinois.

Over the past two years, the Seniors Community Fund has distributed a total of $700,000 to 20 organizations addressing three priority areas:

    • Transportation: Supporting accessible transit options for seniors to reach medical appointments, grocery stores, and essential services.

    • Health Navigation: Providing one-on-one guidance to help older adults access housing, behavioral health resources, and medical care.

    • Safety: Investing in services like home modifications, medical equipment, and meal programs that promote safety, independence, and quality of life.

Funded organizations

Read more about the Seniors Community Organizations making a difference across the St. Louis region.

Northside Youth and Senior Service Center

Northside Youth and Senior Service Center is a Black-led nonprofit in St. Louis City’s 4th Ward dedicated to addressing the basic needs of youth and seniors in historically underserved neighborhoods. The center promotes equitable access to nutrition, recreation, and learning opportunities, helping create a healthier, more connected community. Learn more on their website.

Black Veterans Services of IL – Serving Neighbors

Black Veterans Services (Illinois) supports veterans and their families in Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair counties. Through its new Serving Neighbors program, the organization will offer transportation, trauma-informed counseling, and community workshops to reduce isolation and improve access to healthcare and nutritious food. This initiative aims to enhance health outcomes and overall quality of life for older adults in the region.

Robert Fulton Development Inc Friendly Village Senior Center

​Robert Fulton Development is a nonprofit organization in St. Louis dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children, adults, and seniors through educational and social service programs. Their services include health education, mental health awareness, outreach initiatives, senior services, and youth programs aimed at fostering economic, social, and cultural growth in the community. ​Learn more on their website.

Southside Wellness Center Senior Citizens Center

Southside Wellness Center is a senior-focused organization in St. Louis offering in-home care, adult day care, and transportation services to support elderly and disabled individuals. For over 45 years, they’ve provided personalized, community-rooted services that promote independence and well-being. Learn more on their website.

 

Council on Aging

The St. Clair County Council on Aging is a nonprofit serving older adults in St. Clair County, Michigan, helping them live independently and age in place. Through services like transportation, meal delivery, in-home support, and community centers, they enhance seniors’ quality of life and foster social connection. Learn more on their website.

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired

​The St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers comprehensive services, including low vision exams, occupational therapy, assistive technology training, and support groups, to enhance the quality of life for individuals with visual impairments. Established in 1911, the organization is dedicated to empowering clients through personalized care and resources. Learn more on their website.

Disability Resource Association

​Disability Resource Association (DRA) is a nonprofit Center for Independent Living serving Jefferson County and surrounding areas. They offer services such as information and referral, advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, and assistance with transitions from institutions to the community, aiming to empower individuals with disabilities, seniors, and those in need. Learn more on their website.

WalkNFaith

WalkNFaith is a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the opioid epidemic in St. Louis through prevention, education, and restorative services. They offer counseling, mental health support, employment assistance, and mentoring to empower individuals and support community healing. Learn more on their website.

 

Pony Bird, Inc.

Pony Bird, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through programs in community living, support services, employment, and family support. They serve over 1,100 individuals and their families across the St. Louis region, providing person-centered support tailored to each individual’s needs and aspirations. Learn more on their website.

 

Memory Care Home Solutions

​Memory Care Home Solutions is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease, and their families. They provide services such as caregiver training, in-home consultations, and community education to support families in managing dementia care. Learn more on their website.

Criminal Justice Ministry

​Criminal Justice Ministry (CJM) is a nonprofit organization in St. Louis dedicated to supporting and empowering individuals impacted by incarceration. They offer a range of services, including in-prison programs, reentry transitional housing, and community-based support, aiming to reduce recidivism and promote successful reintegration into society. ​Learn more on their website.

​Depaul USA

Depaul USA is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness and transforming the lives of those affected by it. Operating in 12 U.S. cities, including St. Louis, they offer services such as transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, day centers, and health clinics to support individuals experiencing homelessness. Learn more on their website.

Ignite Hope

​Ignite Hope is a behavioral health clinic in St. Louis offering individual, group, and family therapy, as well as outpatient substance use treatment. Their mission is to provide trauma-informed care to support individuals through challenging times. ​Learn more on their website.

Monarch Immigrant Services

Monarch Immigrant Services is a nonprofit organization in St. Louis focused on empowering immigrant and refugee communities through access to transformative services. They offer a variety of programs, including mental health support, document translation, social services, and immigration assistance, aiming to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all. Learn more on their website.

 

Rx Outreach

Rx Outreach is a nonprofit mail-order pharmacy that provides affordable medications to individuals across the U.S. They offer over 500 FDA-approved medications at reduced prices, aiming to make essential healthcare more accessible to those in need. Learn more on their website.

 

EnergyCare

EnergyCare is a nonprofit in St. Louis that helps low-income households, especially those with vulnerable members, by providing energy-related services like weatherization, utility assistance, and furnace repairs. Their goal is to create healthier and safer home environments, particularly for the elderly, disabled, and chronically ill. Learn more on their website.

 

Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House

​Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House is a faith-based community center in East St. Louis, Illinois, dedicated to empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. They offer a variety of programs, including early childhood education, youth services, employment assistance, and community support, aiming to uplift residents of all ages. Learn more on their website.

​Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois

​Rebuilding Together Southwest Illinois is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rehabilitating and modifying the homes of low-income seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, enabling them to live independently in warmth and safety. They offer services such as wheelchair ramp installations, safety modifications, and minor home repairs, primarily focusing on Madison County, Illinois, and surrounding areas. ​Learn more on their website.

​St. John’s Community Care

St. John’s Community Care is a nonprofit organization in Collinsville, Illinois, dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals facing aging or disabilities. They offer services such as adult day programs, medical equipment loans, and caregiver support, aiming to provide compassionate care and support to the Metro-East community. ​Learn more on their website.

St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program (STLHELP)

​St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program is a nonprofit organization that provides free recycled home medical equipment to individuals in need, promoting healing, happiness, and independence while preserving the environment. They collect, repair, and distribute items such as wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds, serving the St. Louis community since 2008. Learn more on their website.

Watch our video to learn more about the fund’s impact in our community!

Senior Advisory Board

The Senior Advisory Board is comprised of community leaders, service providers, and senior residents from across the region. Their shared decision-making power ensures that investments align with the needs and priorities of the aging population. The Board continues to shape the future of senior services by advocating for sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Interested in becoming a member of the Senior Advisory Board? Contact our team.

Name(Required)
Contract Signatory Name
Tell us a little about the organization and your goals for training.
CHCM Training/Workshop Request
Please provide 3 possible dates for the training/workshop.
Proposed Times
Anything else you would like to share about your orgnization needs.

Downloads and Resources

Seniors Community Revitalization & Development Fund

The Seniors Community Fund has significantly impacted organizations across the Greater St. Louis area, enhancing the quality of life for seniors by addressing their daily needs and expanding access to essential services.
Download

The St. Louis Regional Health Commission and Deaconess Foundation Launch Grant Fund for Organizations Serving Seniors in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois

The Fund’s community advisory board is now accepting funding proposals for organizations addressing transportation, safety, and health navigation support for seniors in the region
Download

Seniors Community Revitalization & Development Fund Awards $350,000 to Organizations Serving Seniors in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois

The Community Health Commission in partnership with Deaconess Foundation partnered to invest in transportation, safety, and health navigation support for seniors
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Community Health Commission of Missouri horizontal logo which includes a graphic representation of the state of missouri is stacked above the Deaconess Foundation logo

Through this partnership, CHCM and Deaconess Foundation are advancing a model of community-led funding that centers the expertise and dignity of older adults—ensuring that seniors not only receive support, but help shape the systems that serve them.