Our Programs

For 36 years, our programs have focused on creating connections for elders across Boston, Brookline, and Newton. Currently, we are ensuring our elders have regular, visits with volunteers by telephone, or virtually by Skype, Facetime, Zoom, Duo or email. During this period of extreme isolation, these ‘virtual’ visits are essential to ensuring our elders stay connected.

To refer an elder go to our Referral page or contact the appropriate program coordinator by going to our Contact page.

To become a volunteer and visit virtually with an elder, please visit our Volunteer page and complete an application. All virtual visitors will participate in an interview and remote training session.

Thank you for helping us to continue to establish social connections during this time!

FriendshipWorks' Response to COVID-19

As FriendshipWorks’ continues to monitor the developing situation surrounding the COVID-19 public health emergency, we are committed to keeping our volunteers, our elders, and our community updated. For information regarding FriendshipWorks’ response please click below.

The Impact of FriendshipWorks' Volunteers During the Pandemic

Creating connections and building relationships has always been the heart of what FriendshipWorks does. While COVID-19 has undoubtedly increased elders’ isolation, most of us have also experienced some of the negative impacts of isolation regardless of our age. We are heartened by your stories about what these relationships mean to you. One volunteer just celebrated five years of visiting with her elder while another shared that the weekly visit has added needed structure to his days during the lockdown. Overall, volunteers share how much they look forward to the visits, and for volunteers who live alone, how these visits helped relieve some of their own loneliness and isolation.