Help us bring friendship and joy to more elders in Boston!
Our year-end giving campaign is underway.
Kindly read the important information we've shared about the U. S. Surgeon General's advisory on the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness, and what we can do about it together. Download a PDF of the letter and giving levels insert here.
ON MAY 2, 2023, THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL ISSUED AN ADVISORY ON THE HEALING EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CONNECTION AND COMMUNITY... LET’S ANSWER THE CALL AND WORK TOGETHER.
“Given the significant health consequences of loneliness and isolation, we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues... Together, we can build a country that’s healthier, more resilient, less lonely, and more connected.” – U.S. Surgeon General
Dear Friend,
Today, I am reaching out to share an urgent call to action from the U.S. Surgeon General who recently issued an Advisory on Social Isolation, outlining how connection plays a critical role in individual, community, and societal health.
He reported that, “social connection is a fundamental human need – as essential to survival as food, water, and shelter.”
We invite you to take action TODAY to strengthen connections for isolated older adults by making a gift to FriendshipWorks.
In the heart of Greater Boston, we have the power to make a transformative impact. FriendshipWorks has been a beacon of hope for 40 years connecting older adults to their community through heartfelt in-person visits and meaningful friendships. Whether it’s a weekly visit with a friend, completing a household task, or someone to accompany them on a medical appointment, FriendshipWorks helps elders at no charge.
These interactions are more than just social calls; they’re lifelines of empathy, understanding, and shared experiences that enhance the mental and physical well-being of elders. And for many people, including Sandra Durant, accessing FriendshipWorks’ programs and its volunteers is akin to having an extended family:
“I am enormously thankful, that on very short notice, FriendshipWorks graciously agreed to escort me after my endoscopy from the Gastroenterology department to my ride home. Having a post-procedure escort is a firm policy at Mass General Hospital (MGH). My husband passed in 2019, and I was at a loss for an escort after my procedure. It was almost a miracle that I found your program. I am very lucky that the people I spoke with at MGH gave me FriendshipWorks’ number.”
When you make a gift to FriendshipWorks, you:
Enhance Well-being: By helping us reduce social isolation, you contribute to improved mental and emotional health for our elders. Your support has the power to alleviate feelings of loneliness and boost overall happiness, while ensuring older adults can access their critical health appointments.
Enrich Lives: Your contribution allows us to expand our outreach, enabling more elders in Greater Boston to benefit from social connections. Every dollar you give directly translates into moments of comfort and shared memories.
Strengthen Communities: Vibrant communities are built upon strong connections. Your donation enables us to build a stronger, more compassionate society, one friendship at a time.
The good news is that social isolation is solvable and treatable, and with your ongoing support, we will continue to bring comfort, hope, and a healthier community for older adults in Greater Boston for generations to come.
So let’s heed the call of our Surgeon General and work together to remove the stigma of loneliness, while creating long-lasting human connections in our community.
Your chance to make life better for thousands of elders begins TODAY when you donate online at www.fw4elders.org/donate.
Thank you for believing in our important work!
Yours in Friendship,
Janet Seckel-Cerrotti
FriendshipWorks’ Executive Director
U. S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy
Sandra Durant, Medical Escort Program Participant
With your help and the support of our generous partners, FriendshipWorks’ Five Core Programs will remain free of charge to the elders in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Somerville, and Cambridge.
– Friendly Visiting
– Medical Escorts
– PetPals Visiting
– Friendly Helping
– MusicWorks
