50+ Lifestyles

CASI – Grateful for All Its Blessings

By Laura L. Kopp, MS
CASI President/CEO

As we enter the season of thanks and giving, I give pause to appreciate all the blessings bestowed upon CASI this past year. While we faced diversity like never before through funding cuts, staff changes and losses, we also were blessed by the outpouring of love and support that was shown to us by our members, our volunteers, our donors and our friends.  When the days were dark, the community’s loyalty and faith in CASI served as a beacon, lighting the way ahead.

We were blessed to develop new partnerships in the community which have expanded our mission and allowed us to serve even more seniors. Engaging with partners such as AARP, Silver Sneakers, Renew Active, Royal Neighbors, the Red Cross and so many more has enhanced both the services and the culture within CASI.

Despite our own challenges, CASI was able to continue serving as a beacon to others during their darkest days as well.  Our Senior Advocacy program assisted more than 200 low income older adults to obtain a rent rebate, saving seniors in our community over $1M.  Our 40,000 square foot facility provided emergency shelter and safety to those impacted by the floods this Spring and the building collapse in downtown Davenport this summer.  Working alongside the American Red Cross, our CASI team helped coordinate donations and food for those most in need; while our social workers helped connect seniors impacted by these tragedies to access the services and supports they needed to recover.

Our Jane’s Place Adult Day Services program helped close to 80 individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias to remain at home with their loved ones while providing critical respite for exhausted caregivers.

It can be easy, when times are tough and the days are dark, to lose sight of all we have to be thankful for.  But it is in these times, through our willingness to witness the world around us with intentional gratitude, that we can clearly see our abundance of blessings.

 Find something to be grateful for at CASI this season!  

Laura L. Kopp, MS is President/CEO of CASI, located at 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA  52806. For information call (563) 386.7477 or email info@CASIseniors.org.