Programs
Our mission of building strong, vibrant, life-long friendships between older adults and caring volunteers is made possible with our friendly visiting programs highlighted below.
Each program aims to alleviate elder loneliness and isolation through in-person visits, phone companionship, birthday celebrations, an annual Thanksgiving meal delivery program and advocacy. ​​
Phone
Companionship
Program
Friendship and
Flowers Visiting
Program
Birthday
Visiting
Program
Our Phone Companionship Program was launched in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This initiative connects our elderly friends with compassionate volunteers who provide vital social interaction through weekly phone calls. More than just a simple check-in, conversations aim to cultivate meaningful friendships rooted in trust and understanding.
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As phone companions engage with their older friends, they not only enhance their listening skills but also ensure that our elders feel remembered, heard, and cared for.
Join us every third Saturday of the month as we bring joy and companionship to our elderly friends, thanks to the generous floral arrangements donated by BloomAgainBklyn.
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Since 2017, our dedicated Friendship & Flowers Volunteers have been visiting isolated elders in their homes and assisted living facilities. This monthly event fosters inter-generational friendships and also provides older homebound adults with the joy of connection and a renewed sense of belonging.
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Celebrate the special moments in life by honoring our elderly friends on their birthdays!
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Since 2018, Birthday Volunteers have been making these occasions memorable by visiting our elders on their special day. We bring joy with a cake, thoughtful gifts, and floral arrangements donated by Barbara’s Flowers. These visits uplift the spirit of our elders and it shows how cherished they are.
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Since 2022, our Birthday Call volunteers delight our elders on their birthday week with “Happy Birthday calls”.
Friendly
Visiting
Program
Annual
Thanksgiving
Meal Outreach
Not Alone
at Christmas
Outreach
Since 2019, our Friendly Visiting Program has been dedicated to providing friendship and social support to isolated older adults living alone.
Our volunteers are carefully matched with elders in need of companionship, fostering inter-generational friendships that we hope will last a lifetime.
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With in-person visits and phone calls twice a month, our friendly visitors offer the warmth and connection that every meaningful friendship brings, while also assisting with small but important things our elder friends need.
On Thanksgiving Day, we are grateful for the holiday tradition initiated by the Women’s League from Ebenezer Wesleyan Methodist church. Since 2017, our homebound elderly friends are enjoying delicious home-cooked meals prepared by the Women's League and delivered by our volunteers.
In 2022, some meal recipients started hosting Friendsgiving celebrations, inviting visiting volunteers to stay and share a Thanksgiving meal together. It is such a meaningful way to be amongst friends and to count your blessings on this special day.
Join us this holiday season as we bring warmth and companionship to elderly New Yorkers who are alone at Christmas.
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Our annual Not Alone at Christmas Outreach begins on the third Saturday of December. We invite you to participate by bringing gifts, singing Christmas carols, and spreading cheers to elderly New Yorkers who cannot be with family this year.
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Starting in 2025, we will offer additional activities on Christmas Day. Sign up for our Newsletter to hear more about upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Advocacy
Initiative
Our elders rely on a limited number of people for outside assistance and their needs grow over time. When those needs exceed the scope of our friendly visiting programs, we make referrals to other organizations which can better meet those specific needs. This is why we have compiled a comprehensive Senior Resource Guide for those who wish to advocate further for an elderly friend, relative or neighbor. You can access it here.
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