Benefits for our volunteer members:
As a valued volunteer member, you will be joined by others who share the same passion for creating connections and building community. Our team will provide all the training, resources, and support you need to develop meaningful connections and friendships. We provide weekly updates via our Among Volunteers E-Newsletters, which feature stories about our members and friends, as well as useful tips, inspirational articles, and videos. Whether you choose to be a Coffee Talker, Phone or Visiting Companion, a Skills-Based Volunteer, supporter, or a Board member, we believe you will find value and meaning in your volunteer role and your membership in the Friends and Co community.
Open the door to life-changing connections and friendships.
Volunteers are critical to our mission to end loneliness and isolation among older adults. We envision a community in which all older adults are connected, valued, and loved. For 50 years, we have been fostering life-affirming connections and companionship that support healthy aging and well-being. As a volunteer, you will bring connection, friendship, and happiness into the life of another while adding friendship and purpose to your own. We invite you to learn about our volunteer opportunities and how you can make a difference.
Become a volunteer in four easy steps.
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Find the right opportunity for you
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Submit an application
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Complete a background check at our secure online system*
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Review the online training
*when applicable
Volunteering Opportunities
Be a Visiting Companion
Bring the joy of building a meaningful friendship into the life of an older adult facing loneliness and isolation. As Visiting Companions, you and your friend can enjoy each other’s company at home, out and about town, or wherever you choose based on the schedules and needs each of you brings to the relationship. Have children? Sign up with your family, and they too will reap the benefits of friendship. When you answer the question on the application, “What inspires you to connect with older adults?” please include the age(s) of your child(ren) who will be joining you on your visits.
Required: All volunteers and older adults must be fully vaccinated to meet in person. Exceptions may be made with our approval.
Time commitment: You and your new friend will determine the number and length of visits, with phone calls, texts, emails, cards, or letters between visits.
Be a Phone Companion
If you are a talker and connecting one-to-one with an older adult for ongoing meaningful phone friendship appeals to you, let us pair you with someone through Phone Companions.
These days, the phone may not be ringing as often as our older adult friends would like. Phone friendships come with the beautiful anticipation of an expected call, engaging conversation, and the joy of getting to know someone. You can be the warm, caring voice at the end of the line that ensures one older adult knows someone cares. Build a rich and rewarding connection, one call at a time.
Time commitment: To be determined by you and your new phone companion.
Be a Coffee Talker
If you love chatting on the phone, and the idea of connecting with a variety of older adults inspires you, join our Coffee Talk team!
Coffee Talk offers older adults the opportunity to call in and connect with a friendly volunteer for a caring conversation. There are no applications or requirements to participate. Older adults dial and connect just as they would if calling a friend.
Sign up for a weekly four-hour shift to offer words of encouragement, a listening ear, and great conversation. Calls will be routed directly to your phone and can be answered from wherever you and your phone happen to be. Great training and support are provided.
Time Commitment: One four-hour shift weekly for a minimum of six months.
Current hours of operation: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am-Noon.
Be a Cards Connect Maker
Would you like to bring a smile to someone’s face? We have the perfect opportunity for you! You can do it alone, with family, or with friends. It’s easy! Create handmade cards for the fall, winter holidays, Valentine’s Day, and spring. Include an uplifting message to let the recipient know someone is thinking about them. No envelopes are required! Your cards will bring joy to older adults experiencing isolation and loneliness across Minnesota.
Just complete the short application, and we’ll let you know when it’s time to create your next batch of cards. Additionally, we’ll invite you to our special volunteer events if you want to join us in person for card making and sorting.
Be a Skills-based/Admin Volunteer
Are you more of a behind-the-scenes person? We often need volunteers with specific skills for time-limited projects. If you are interested in learning more, please email volunteer@friendsco.org