Perfect for: people who want deep, steady one-on-one connection
About: Flagship program pairing volunteers with older adults for ongoing friendships and monthly visits.
Commitment: 1 hour/week or biweekly (flexible scheduling)
Format: In-person home visits
Location: Seven-county Twin Cities metro
Training: Orientation, background check, matching support, and ongoing staff check-ins
Participants: Adults 70+, must pass background check, no CADI waiver required
Volunteers: Adults 18+, background check required
Perfect for: people who enjoy spontaneous conversations and flexible connection
About: Twice-weekly drop-in phone conversations.
Commitment: 0–2 shifts/week (Tues & Thurs, ~3 hours per shift, optional participation)
Format: Phone-based group shifts
Location: Remote (volunteer) / Nationwide (participants)
Training: Onboarding, call-flow guidance, optional shadow shift, and live staff support during shifts
Participants: Adults 62+, nationwide, scheduled drop-in hours, no CADI waiver required
Volunteers: Adults 18+, MN or Western WI, background check required
Perfect for: people who prefer meaningful one-on-one connection from home
About: One-on-one phone friendships.
Commitment: ~1 hour/week (flexible scheduling)
Format: Phone-based 1:1
Location: MN or Western WI
Training: Orientation, matching support, conversation prompts, and ongoing staff check-ins
Participants: Adults 62+, MN or Western WI, no CADI waiver required
Volunteers: Adults 18+, MN or Western WI, background check required
Perfect for: people who enjoy creative, flexible volunteering from home
About: Volunteer-made cards sent seasonally: Valentine’s Day, Spring, Fall, Winter.
Commitment: 1–3 hours per project (seasonal)
Format: Remote + seasonal in-person opportunities
Location: Nationwide / MN in-person processing
Training: Step-by-step instructions, creative prompts, templates, and optional support drop-in sessions
Participants: Adults 62+, MN or Western WI, no CADI waiver required
Volunteers: All ages, nationwide (card creators), optional in-person card processing
Perfect for: people who enjoy in-person community and hospitality-style volunteering
About: Weekly LGBTQ+ social gatherings hosted with community partners.
Commitment: 2–3 hours/month (event support)
Format: In-person group events
Location: Twin Cities metro
Training: Event orientation, role-based support (greeter/setup/facilitation), and staff coordination
Participants: Adults 62+, LGBTQ+ adults and allies, no CADI waiver required
Volunteers: Adults 18+, Twin Cities Metro
Perfect for: bilingual volunteers who want to support culturally connected Spanish-speaking spaces
About: Monthly Spanish-language culturally connected gathering.
Commitment: 2–3 hours/month (event support)
Format: In-person group events
Location: Twin Cities metro
Training: Event orientation, culturally responsive facilitation guidance, role clarity, and staff support
Participants: Adults 62+, Spanish-speaking, no CADI waiver required
Volunteers: Adults 18+, Twin Cities Metro, fluent in Spanish required
Not currently accepting volunteers. Please take a look at our other opportunities.
Perfect for: people who want to use professional skills to support mission-driven work behind the scenes
About: Behind-the-scenes volunteer support including administrative help, organizing systems, writing, light communications, and one-time office projects.
Commitment: Up to 8 hours/week (flexible; project-based or ongoing support)
Format: In-person office-based and/or hybrid project work
Location: Friends & Co office (Twin Cities metro)
Training: Project orientation, staff direction and check-ins, clear task briefs, and access to staff support for questions and handoff review
Volunteers: Adults 18+, skills-based experience helpful (writing, admin, organizing, communications, data entry, etc.)
Note: Background check may be required depending on project access level
| Program | Info | Participant Guidelines | Volunteer Guidelines | Commitment | Format | Location | Training Provided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Visiting Companions Perfect for: people who want deep, steady one-on-one connection |
Flagship program pairing volunteers with older adults for ongoing friendships and monthly visits. |
Adults 70+ Seven-county Twin Cities metro Must pass background check No CADI waiver required |
Adults 18+ Seven-county Twin Cities Metro Background check required |
~1 hour/week or biweekly (flexible scheduling) | In-person home visits | Seven-county Twin Cities metro | Orientation, background check, matching support, and ongoing staff check-ins |
|
Coffee Talk Perfect for: people who enjoy spontaneous conversation and flexible connection |
Twice-weekly drop-in phone conversations. |
Adults 62+ Nationwide 9:00 a.m.–Noon Tues & Thurs No CADI waiver required |
Adults 18+ MN or Western WI Background check required |
0–2 shifts/week (Tues & Thurs, ~3 hours per shift, optional participation) | Phone-based group shifts | Remote (volunteer) / Nationwide (participants) | Onboarding, call-flow guidance, optional shadow shift, and live staff support during shifts |
|
Phone Companions Perfect for: people who prefer meaningful one-on-one connection from home |
One-on-one phone friendships. |
Adults 62+ MN or Western WI No CADI waiver required |
Adults 18+ MN or Western WI Background check required |
~1 hour/week (flexible scheduling) | Phone-based 1:1 | MN or Western WI | Orientation, matching support, conversation prompts, and ongoing staff check-ins |
|
Cards Connect Perfect for: people who enjoy creative, flexible volunteering from home |
Volunteer-made cards sent seasonally: Valentine’s Day, Spring, Fall, Winter. |
Adults 62+ MN or Western WI No CADI waiver required |
All ages Nationwide (card creators) Optional in-person processing opportunities |
1–3 hours per project (seasonal) | Remote + seasonal in-person | Nationwide / MN in-person processing | Step-by-step instructions, creative prompts, templates, and optional support drop-in sessions |
|
Let’s Do Lunch Cafe / Let’s Do Coffee Perfect for: people who enjoy in-person community and hospitality-style volunteering |
Weekly LGBTQ+ social gatherings hosted with community partners. |
Adults 62+ LGBTQ+ adults and allies No CADI waiver required |
Adults 18+ Twin Cities Metro |
2–3 hours/month (event support) | In-person group events | Twin Cities metro | Event orientation, role-based support, and staff coordination |
|
Cafe Y Conversaciones Perfect for: bilingual volunteers who want to support culturally connected Spanish-speaking spaces |
Monthly Spanish-language culturally connected gathering. |
Adults 62+ Spanish-speaking No CADI waiver required |
Adults 18+ Twin Cities Metro Fluent in Spanish required |
2–3 hours/month (event support) | In-person group events | Twin Cities metro | Event orientation, culturally responsive facilitation guidance, role clarity, and staff support |
|
Skills-Based Admin Volunteer Perfect for: people who want to use professional skills to support behind-the-scenes mission work |
Behind-the-scenes administrative and project support including organizing systems, writing, communications, data entry, and one-time office projects. |
Adults 18+ Skills-based experience helpful (writing, admin, organizing, communications, or similar) Background check may be required depending on project |
Adults 18+ Twin Cities Metro Office-based or hybrid project work |
Up to 8 hours/week (flexible; project-based or ongoing support) | In-person office and/or hybrid project work | Friends & Co office (Twin Cities metro) | Project orientation, clear task briefs, staff direction, ongoing check-ins, and review support as needed |
As a valued volunteer member, you’ll join a community of people who share your passion for creating meaningful connections. Whether you’re a Coffee Talker, Phone or Visiting Companion, Card Creator, or behind-the-scenes helper, you’ll receive training, monthly updates through our Among Friends e-newsletter, and ongoing support from our team. Volunteering with Friends & Co isn’t just about giving back — it’s about building relationships, finding purpose, and becoming part of something bigger.
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