Shawn O’Neal first came to FriendshipWorks as a potential Friendly Visiting program participant, and immediately expressed interest in volunteering as well. She is deeply engaged in her community. Shawn started the Brookline Food Co-op in 2001 servicing the Brookline Housing Development and the public for over ten years.
Committed to lifelong learning, Shawn completed a training course to teach technology skills to those who could use extra support. She is currently active at the Brookline Senior Center and has run for positions on the Brookline Library, Community Council and Town Meeting.
Here, Shawn reflects on her journey with FriendshipWorks, and her dual role as both a program participant and a volunteer.
My name is Shawn O'Neal, and I’m proud to say that I am a participant AND a volunteer with FriendshipWorks.
Before I became part of this organization, I didn’t fully understand how heavy loneliness can feel. It’s not always loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s quiet. It’s the empty moments. The long days. The feeling that the world is moving without you.
And the truth is, a lot of older adults experience that. Social isolation isn’t just about being alone—it can affect your health, your mood, even your sense of purpose. FriendshipWorks exists because no one should have to age alone, and I can stand here today and tell you—that mission is real.
What makes this organization special is simple, but powerful: connection.
Through programs like Friendly Visiting, they match people like me with volunteers who show up—not out of obligation, but out of genuine care.
And that matters more than people realize.
Because when someone shows up consistently, something begins to change.
A visit becomes something you look forward to.
A conversation becomes something that lifts your spirit.
And over time, that connection becomes a real friendship.
In my own life, FriendshipWorks has given me more than just company. It’s given me something to hold onto—something steady. It reminds me that I still matter. That my story matters. That I’m not invisible.
That’s powerful.
There’s something deeply human about being seen and heard. And this organization understands that. Their mission is not just to reduce isolation, but to improve quality of life and preserve dignity.
And I can tell you firsthand—they do exactly that.
It’s not just about having someone visit you or do fun activities. It’s about knowing that someone cares whether you’re okay. It’s about laughter. Shared stories. Small moments that turn into meaningful ones.
And those small moments? They add up.
They bring back joy.
They bring back connection.
They bring back life.
I also want to say something important—this isn’t just a one-sided relationship. The volunteers don’t just give—they receive too. They build friendships, they learn, and they grow. It’s a reminder that connection goes both ways.
FriendshipWorks creates a bridge between people. Different ages, different backgrounds—but meeting in the middle through kindness.
And in a world that can sometimes feel disconnected, that kind of bridge is something we need more of.
So when I think about what FriendshipWorks means to me, I don’t just think of it as a service or a program.
I think of it as a lifeline.
A reminder that I’m not alone.
A reminder that someone cares.
And a reminder that even in later stages of life, new friendships, new joy, and new meaning are still possible.
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from my story, it’s this:
Connection matters.
And organizations like FriendshipWorks are proof that even the simplest act—spending time with someone—can truly change a life.
It changed mine.
Thank you.
