Friends & Co

Visiting Companions, one of Friends & Cos core programs: where dedicated volunteers provide companionship and friendship to relieve isolation and loneliness of older adults. Older adults are paired with trained volunteers according to shared interests, backgrounds, and/or geography. Members receive phone calls, and some in-person visits as safely allowed. Phone Companions, one of Friends & Cos core programs: where older adults who identify as lonely and isolated are matched with a volunteer for ongoing phone companionship. Members and volunteer determine their calling schedules. Coffee talk, a new Friends & Cos drop-in chat line, launched in February 2021: any older adult experiencing isolation and loneliness is invited to anonymously call-in Monday through Friday between 8 am and noon. Calls are answered by coffee talkers and are overseen by staff. Let's Do Lunch Caf, a program shared with Friends & Co., Prime Timers MSP, and Rainbow Health, brings together older LGBTQ+ community members for lunch and connection on the house. Older adults gather twice a month for lunch and social connection.