A Visionary Beginning:
Janet Seckel-Cerrotti’s vision to leverage the power of community, interfaith collaboration, and volunteer care began with a start-up grant secured from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 1984. Partnering with the Boston Aging Concerns and their friendly visiting program, MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers was created in a church basement (Church of the Covenant). This program laid the foundation for what would in later years become FriendshipWorks, emphasizing collaboration and a shared commitment to addressing elder isolation through meaningful connections with caring and compassionate volunteers.
Janet’s Leadership:
Janet recognized the importance of human connection long before the U.S. Surgeon General recognized social isolation as a public health crisis. With unyielding determination, Janet transformed the MATCH-UP program into an organization that not only addressed elder isolation but also became a model of community-based care. Today, FriendshipWorks provides five essential programs aimed at fostering connection between older adults and volunteers in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Somerville, and Cambridge, benefiting over 1,800 program participants and 600 volunteers annually!
Our Farewell Celebration:
We bid farewell to Janet on March 23 at Old South Church, where many early organizing meetings were held. This event celebrates Janet’s transformative leadership, her unwavering belief in the power of community, and the profound impact she has made in the lives of Boston’s elders and countless volunteers. Program and service open to the public begins at 4:00 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary. Join us as we honor her achievements and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that no elder in our community has to age alone.
