CSI Support & Development

In honor of Memorial Day, the CSI Support offices will be closed on Monday. We will be taking time to pause and remember the fallen who bravely served our country. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We will also be remembering all the families who carry that sacrifice with them every day. May our CSI family and friends enjoy a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Please enjoy this year's edition of the Cooperator (our CSI newsletter since 1954!).

Many co-ops host a volunteer appreciation celebration within their co-op. South Bay Co-op (California) held their volunteer appreciation day celebration on April 30, 2026. It looks like they had great food and a fun time. Volunteers are the heart of every co-op. Send us your pics of your co-op's celebration and we will post!

On Friday, April 17, 2026, Waters Tower Co-op, CSI’s newest addition to the Maryland region, hosted its first Senior Prom! Members came out in their festive attire, ate and danced the night away! They even chose a prom king and queen. It was a night to remember!!!

Pontiac Village Estates Co-op is having an open house next Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We hope you can join us!

It's May and that means it is Older Americans Month! The 2026 theme, Champion Your Health, focuses on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages taking an active role in managing your own health, advocating for yourself, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions that support independence.

Staying active (physically, mentally, and socially) is a great way to maintain a good, quality life AND this fits right into CSI's mission: Using cooperative principles, CSI develops and manages exceptional affordable rental communities were SENIORS enjoy OPPORTUNITIES to THRIVE.

Our best advice for thriving as a senior in our co-ops: VOLUNTEER! It is election season and nomination boxes are ready for you! See your co-op officers or liaison for more information. This is a great way to stay active physically, mentally, and socially.

Last week, Brandon Moss and Anne Sackrison spent a day on Capitol Hill talking to lawmakers with other LeadingAge Maryland and LeadingAge Michigan members and staff. We shared our appreciation for their bipartisan support for affordable housing for FY2026 and we asked for their continued support for FY2027. We visited the following offices and participated in great discussions:
• Senator Angela Alsobrooks
• Senator Van Hollen
• Congressman Johnny Olszewski
• Rep. Andy Harris, M.D.
• Congressman Kweisi Mfume
• Rep. Jamie Raskin
• Senator Elissa Slotkin
• Senator Gary Peters
• Congressman John James
• Congresswoman Debbie Di**le

We appreciate LeadingAge for organizing these group conversations on the Hill.

Tiny Hollins, George Redondo and Choe Yun Ja – three volunteers from South Bay Co-op in CSI’s California region – created an illustration of CSI’s core values represented as birds. Like birds, our core values are elegant and majestic, reflecting the vibrance and beauty of our co-ops and our members. Thank you for sharing this beautiful illustration!

Thank you, Congressman Kweisi Mfume, for your visit at Highlandtown Plaza Co-op! We are beyond grateful for your support of affordable housing for seniors.

Last month, Development Manager James Downing had the pleasure of representing CSI at the Housing Partnership Network’s Policy Meeting in Washington, D.C. He joined colleagues from across the country to advocate for solutions to the housing crisis facing our communities.

James left encouraged by the level of bipartisan agreement on these issues—and optimistic that impactful legislation is within reach.

Thank you to the offices of Senator Edward J. Markey, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Elissa Slotkin, Rep. Bill Huizenga, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley for their time, engagement, and continued leadership on these critical issues.