Friendly Voices - Phone Buddies For Seniors

My phone buddy Michelle is very friendly and is interested in engaging with me through our weekly phone calls. She has a pleasant speaking voice and is a good listener when I share from my life. We always find many subjects to talk about which makes our conversations stimulating. She always responds with enthusiasm when I share about my young life in the 1920s-1940s. I appreciate that she always calls me promptly at 1:00pm. I’m grateful that Friendly Voices has given me new friend.

I want to say that I am so happy to get a friendly caller. We seem to have common interests, but also I find out so much more about my volunteer. We both seem to enjoy our talks. Now will look forward to our weekly talks every Friday afternoon.

I found Friendly Voices when I was looking for something that would add a little interest and social interaction for my father. He can't get out easily to socialize. This program has been great for him. The organizer has worked with us to make sure my Dad has a buddy, even though scheduling and remembering the time can be an issue. Friendly Voices has been very compassionate and not given up when there are barriers. I'm so grateful this non-profit exists.

This began as a small entourage, but under insightful leadership, has grown in both clients served and volunteers. The mission, to provide some moments of connection and caring to people who otherwise would not have these things, is the goal. There are well thought out guidelines and input from all sources is always welcomed. The organization provides a lovely way to give back.

I have been volunteering with Friendly Voices for two years now, and it's been a fabulous experience. The organization is well run and very supportive of its volunteers. I've had a few different senior buddies, and have enjoyed my conversations with each of them. They have all expressed how grateful they are for the weekly phone calls and long term relationships.

I have been a volunteer with Friendly Voices for the better part of a year now, and I have found it very soul satisfying. I am a senior myself, but I am married and am blessed to have a wonderful, supportive wife by my side. If I wasn't so fortunate, I would consider it a gift to have a volunteer call me once a week to not only lift my spirits, but mainly to let me know that someone else cared enough to want to connect with me, and to encourage an atmosphere of mutual sharing.. Being able reach out to another senior is a definite win-win situation as I see it, in that it allows me to share some of myself with another person, which I have done very little of in my life, up to the time I joined Friendly Voices.
I look forward to being a part of this wonderful group as long as I can, and passing its name and its mission on to others who care about seniors, and want to give the gift of friendship to those who will really appreciate it.

Excellent organization to volunteer for. Provides an incredibly compassionate service for individuals in need of social interaction through the phone. Definitely more valuable in a post-covid world!

I joined Friendly Voices about two years ago after reading about them in the local newspaper. I quickly grew to enjoy my weekly conversations with two senior women, both of whom are lonely. We have truly become good buddies and I look forward to catching up with them every week. We always laugh, sometimes cry, and share stories from the past, present and future. It's a well-run young organization, growing fast, and I have taken on new duties because I admire the executive director and her staff so much. I am mentoring four other volunteers, brainstorming with the director of mentors and doing some writing for them.

I have been chatting with seniors on the phone for approximately two years with Friendly Voices. I had no idea when I started this volunteer work how important it is and how much I would enjoy it. It's interesting, rewarding and fun. It's easy to do from home, and feels wonderful. My seniors have been appreciative and friendly, and I've enjoyed them enormously. I get as much from them as they from me. I also enjoy working with my Friendly Voices mentor as well as Laura, the executive director. Any questions I have are quickly answered by one of them. I intend to be a caring buddy and do the best job I can possibly do, so when I have a question I am grateful to have people in Friendly Voices who know me and help me be the best I can be.

Friendly Voices tackles a huge problem of our times- loneliness. It’s a simple yet effective model. As a volunteer I have the satisfaction of making a difference in someone’s life. I look forward to connecting with my buddy each week and talking about her joys and sorrows. We have regular training sessions and full support of the organization.

Laura did a fantastic job starting up Friendly Voices. It is a great service and powerful for helping to lower the loneliness and isolation that seniors can feel especially during COVID times.

If you know of any Mandarin or Spanish speaking volunteers, please contact them and assist them.

Friendly Voices has been a godsend for my 91 year old mother and for our family. My mother is widowed, lonely, and in chronic pain. She's also very social and loves to talk, but many of her friends and relatives have passed away. So the friends from Friendly Voices fill a deep need.

I wasn't sure it would work, especially because it was phone only, not in person. I was a little skeptical about this organization I had never heard of. But I needn't have worried. It absolutely works. Laura, the director, is caring and passionate, and she makes sure the volunteers are well-trained and well-matched.

So far, Mom has had two phone friends, and they have established warm, loving connections. Both Michelle and Cindy are angels in disguise. My mother is from a generation that is private and reserved, but the Friendly Voices volunteers make her feel at ease and allow her to open up. When she talks with them, her mind is off her pain. She feels better. She feels noticed and connected. She feels less alone. She feels loved. She cares about them, too, and she appreciates their care. So do I.

I have been volunteer with Friendly Voices for over a year now. I have been fortunate enough to have the same buddy this entire time. It really has been a great experience! The leadership is so supportive. I enjoy calling my buddy every week!

The work of Friendly Voices is not first and center in a lot of peoples minds, but it is essential. I loved the conversations I had with my phone buddy week to week sharing laughter and frustrations, challenges and stories of perseverance. The flexible schedule and knowledge that you are reaching out and touching someone's life is so valuable. I highly recommend getting involved!

It was such a pleasure to be involved with this organization. The leaders are caring and devoted to the mission and have real experience running a non-profit. It was lovely to connect with seniors and brighten their day! it often did the same for me.

Friendly Voices' volunteers provide compassion and validation to elderly individuals who may be 'home bound' and in need of having someone listen to them. I so commend the many volunteers who have taken the time to be trained and vetted to make calls, giving seniors an opportunity to chat about whatever is on their mind. The act of reaching out to someone grounds us in our humanity and frailty and brings to the forefront the dire need for human connection at all ages. Thank you for what you do to make this a kinder world. G.Sell

It was a pleasure volunteering with Friendly Voices! It was a joy connecting with my buddy and knowing that I was making a difference.

I am a medical provider working with the elderly. Social isolation is an indicator of worsening outcomes and higher costs. I found this organization on accident when looking for a local phone buddy in NYC. Even though my patients are in NYC, Friendly Voices accommodated my patients. The coordinator gave me detailed information about what to expect so I could advise the patients. The buddies were very accountable, when one of my patients was hospitalized the coordinator reached out to me b/c her buddy was worried about her having not been able to reach her. Although I couldn't share medical information, I was able to pass on to the family that the buddy was thinking about her. In a very lonely world for the elderly, this organization has been a bright light. I am so grateful that I found them.