Focus on Companionship

RSVP volunteers provide valuable services as companions who reduce social isolation, primarily among isolated seniors. Volunteers in programs do the following: make friendly visits to homebound seniors or nursing home residents; make weekly telephone reassurance calls to lonely seniors; moderate weekly chats about various topics to engage isolated individuals in conversation and keep them connected to their community; help visually impaired individuals by escorting them to medical appointments or shopping; serve as tenant patrol volunteers; write friendly greeting cards; and more. In this issue, we will highlight some partners and volunteers in this area. 

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At the end of the day, volunteers know that by giving so much of themselves, they get so much back in return: their own feelings of sadness or loneliness seem to melt away.​​

Partner Spotlight: Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly​​​​

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In 1939, the founder of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, Armand Marquiset from Paris, was praying

in Notre Dame when he had a mystical vision. He saw Little Brothers "spreading across the earth, igniting little fires of love."

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By 1946 after World War II, his vision became a reality. Armand realized the most destitute and needy were the elderly, so he started delivery meals and flowers to the elderly poor in Paris. In

the spirit of the motto: "flowers before bread," he recognized that social and spiritual needs are just as essential for human dignity, as are physical needs.

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Armand attracted many volunteers and donors, and by 1959, the first chapter of LBFE arrived in the U.S. in Chicago. As of today, there are five chapters in the U.S. and one Expansion Site in NYC.

Jérôme Michaux, NYC Expansion Site Coordinator explained, "We are serving the elderly homebound in three locations in Brooklyn, as well as Queens and Manhattan. Our mission is to relieve isolation and loneliness among the elderly."

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"We offer people of good will the opportunity to join the elderly in friendship and the celebration of life."

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Jérôme went on to say, "What really makes us stand out as an organization is our lifetime commitment to the elders we serve, and the services are free of charge. There are four programs we offer:"

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1. Friendship and Flowers Visiting Program. We make in-person visits to the elderly homebound, bringing them flowers and reminiscing with them as we travel down memory lane. We visit 35-40 elders a month.

2. In-Person Friendly Visiting Program. We find volunteers who commit to visiting isolated elders twice a month for a year, promoting intergenerational friendships.

3. Birthday Visiting Program. We celebrate the lives of our elders on their special day, to cheer them up and honor their legacy. We bring cake, flowers, and gifts. We also sing "Happy Birthday to You" over the phone, and we even have the RSVP volunteer, Anne, who plays guitar as she sings over the phone. 

4. The Phone Companionship Program. Launched because of the pandemic, these weekly phone calls are a social lifeline to the homebound elderly. The volunteers who serve in the program — nine of whom are from RSVP — develop meaningful friendships over time, rooted in trust and compassion. 

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Before every Thanksgiving, a group of women from the Ebenezer Methodist Church in Brooklyn fulfill a tradition. They cook mouthwatering dinners including a whole chicken, soup, macaroni and cheese, rice and peas, cake, fruit, and apple cider! The morning of Thanksgiving, LBFE volunteers deliver 22 meals throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. This year, three of the recipients invited their volunteers to dine with them. 

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Jérôme speaks poignantly about LBFE's volunteers: "The volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. They are simply the most wonderful, caring people who provide real companionship. In return, they receive invaluable gifts from our elders, such as wisdom, inspiration, and a two-way friendship. "

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Jérôme adds, "After struggling with depression during the pandemic, I was matched with Rebecca, volunteer. It is through LBFE that I was re-awakened to the precious nature of friendship. I now have a bond that is both joyous and life-affirming."

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What's amazing about Paul and Rebecca is that they share the same birthday, they live on the same Manhattan block, and they are both vegetarians!

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If you would like to volunteer with the organization, email info@friendshipsny.org or call 718-395-5722.