We invite you to bring joy and social connection to older adults as a Volunteer with FriendshipWorks.
September 28 was "Good Neighbor Day", and October 26 is "Make a Difference Day!" Put them together, and they are a great reminder that you can take action to help an elder in your community every day by becoming a FriendshipWorks volunteer. The work to end elder isolation is ongoing. There are older adults all over Boston who live alone or are separated from their families, leading to feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Since 1984, FriendshipWorks has been working to address this issue by matching older adults with caring volunteers for friendship, assistance, and emotional support to help older adults remain happy, healthy, and thriving in their communities. All programs are active all year long. They are free to participants ages 60 and older or 55+ for those with vision or hearing impairment.
We currently have an urgent need for volunteers in the communities of Dorchester, Roxbury, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Jamaica Plain in the following programs:
Friendly Visiting: Offers friendship and support through weekly visits. We ask for a commitment of 1-2 hours/week for 9-12 months.
Medical Escorts: Accompany older adults on their medical appointments. Weekday availability is required and usually, a 3-4 hour block of time is needed for door-to-door medical escorts. We ask for a minimum of a 6-9 month commitment. Volunteers with and without cars are welcome.
Friendly Helping: Assists with short-term tasks or errands such as organizing, shopping, or picking up prescriptions or library books. Volunteers should expect to spend 1-3 hours per task and ask to commit to 3 “helps” during a 6-month period. These helps can usually be based on the volunteer's schedule.
PetPals: Brings the unconditional love of pets to nursing homes, assisted living residences, and senior centers. We ask for a 9-12 month commitment with 2 visits per month.
All programs usually have flexibility to fit your schedule (except for Medical Escort appointment times).
For more detailed information about each program, click here.
To fill out an application now, click here.
Or call: (617)482-1510, ext. 147
Habla Español? (617)482-1510, ext. 141
Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older to submit an application, go through and interview process, and agree to a background check.
What is Good Neighbor Day?
Governor Maura Healey, together with the Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community & End Loneliness have dedicated this special day, September 28, to building a stronger, more connected community.
Want some ideas on how to create connections with elders who may be isolated in your community?
Download FriendshipWorks' Good Neighbor Idea Sheet Here
To learn more about Good Neighbor Day visit:
The Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community & End Loneliness
About Governor Healey's Proclamation
Massachusetts Municipal Association
You'll share interests and passions with people like:
- Mary who loves to bake
- George who would love a walking buddy or
- Patsy who enjoys talking about all things Elvis
