Friend to Friend America

Mission

To end loneliness in the lives of seniors, one senior at a time, “Friend to Friend”. Friend to Friend America recruits and trains volunteers in the community to visit lonely and isolated seniors. 

The Friend to Friend America program, which provides socialization and companionship through volunteer visits, plays a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of isolation and improving the lives of seniors in need. One senior at time, Friend to Friend, through friendship and advocacy.

COVID-19 exposed the world to the impact of loneliness and isolation on quality of life and mental health.   Since 1981, Friend to Friend America has been working to address this very issue in seniors in our community.  Senior isolation and loneliness are a real health crisis.

We create real friendships that benefit not only the senior but the volunteer we place:

"I had really just not thought of Doris anymore as a volunteer visit. She very quickly became a kindred spirit and one of my very dearest friends. I was paired up with Doris when she was 93 5 1/2 years ago. We always laughed because we were both nervous that first meeting but by the end of the meeting we both knew we were Kindred Spirits. Doris passed away recently and I think I just wanted to let you guys know that because of friend a friend, I found a friend and I will for always be grateful for that five and a half years that I had with her. I live in North Bend and I did not see North Bend on the list of places requesting friends, but keep me in mind if someone in this area is in need of a friend."... Darlene V.

The World Health Organization has listed Senior Isolation and loneliness as one of the top 5 risk factors in ill health in seniors today. University of Chicago Professor of Psychology John Cacioppo said, "loneliness in old age increases the chance of an early death by 14 percent, nearly as much as socioeconomic disadvantaged and twice as much as obesity. "

The crisis is real, and companionship is the solution and Friend to Friend America, with your help we will be here to serve our seniors.

Seniors are often lonely and isolated due to no fault of their own having outlived family, friends and fortune. Seniors on a fixed income do not have resources to pay for a visiting companion.  Can you imagine sitting alone for days that turn into weeks and then months without a single visitor? Well, there are many in our own Seattle area that do just that. Unable to get out and about and they often have no family close by. Friend to Friend America can help.

Friend to Friend America provides visiting friends at no charge saving seniors over a hundred dollars each month because at Friend to Friend America we believe that no one should ever have to pay for a friend. By providing our volunteers at no charge to the seniors we serve we stand true to our mission that we want to end senior isolation, one senior at a time, friend to friend and no one should ever have to pay for a friend.  

Can we count on your help to support the mission of Friend to Friend America?  

Recognition

We would be no where without our amazing 2023 Board of Directors. Angelica Rios - President, Calista Bechtold and Zachary Blinkinsop Co-Secretary, Nicole Cabrel, Pat Sylvia and Harriet Thomsen.   Advisory Board members: Berlena Brock and Ann Johnston. 

We wanted to give a heartfelt Thank you to John Langeler for the lovely profile piece he did for us on King 5 news. Visit our website to see the video.