Address by Paula Basta, Director, IDOA

A message from Paula Basta, Director, IDoA

October 17, 2021

Metropolitan Asian Family Services Firdaus Jafri, President 7541 N. Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60645

Dear Friends:

It is my honor to welcome you to the Metropolitan Asian Family Services annual fundraiser celebrating 29 years of service to seniors in the community.

For nearly three decades, Metropolitan Asian Family Services has played a vital role to Chicagoland South Asian seniors who immigrated to the United States. The organization helps these seniors live independently by providing community-based care and connecting them to essential services they need and deserve. Through its nutrition programs, Metropolitan Asian Family Services is also taking steps to combat social isolation, work that is more vital than ever amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Through partnerships with great organizations like Metropolitan Asian Family Services that do selfless work in communities advocating for our older adults, the Illinois Department on Aging is able to achieve its goals of providing seniors with the full, dignified lives they deserve. I look forward to many additional years of continued collaboration as we support our seniors and respect yesterday, support today, and plan for tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Paula Basta, M.Div. Director, Illinois Department on Aging