Friendly Visiting - Visit with Isolated Older Adults

Since 1971, Heights and Hills has helped Brooklyn's older adults age successfully in their communities with independence, dignity and grace.

Our Friendly Visiting program matches volunteers of all ages with home-bound and/or socially isolated seniors for weekly companionship - currently matches are meeting virtually, in-person or both! In person, volunteers and clients go on walks, run errands, cook together, play cards, craft, talk about music, art, sports, politics or whatever else they find they have in common!

Whenever possible Friendly Visitor volunteers are matched with seniors in their own neighborhood. Getting started is easy: fill out a short application (providing 2 non-familial references), attend a training, complete a criminal background check, speak with a member of the volunteer staff then you’ll have the opportunity to be matched with a new friend.

Please see below for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!

Requirements:

• Must be 18 years or older
• Flexible, mature, kind, compassionate and reliable
• Willing to sustain one-on-one match for one-two hours a week for at least six months
• Able to communicate verbally and in writing
• Ability to follow through on commitments
• Willing to learn and follow organizational policies, confidentiality laws and volunteer guidelines
• Willing to attend our New Volunteer Training
• Willing to complete a criminal background check (at no cost to you)
• 2 references required

Preferred Skills: Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, Spanish and/or Haitian-Creole speaking

Important Note: Please be advised that we serve 21 neighborhoods in Brooklyn, please visit our Who We Serve page for the full list. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Heights and Hills! Currently, we strongly prefer volunteers who live and/or can travel to the following Brooklyn neighborhoods: Bensonhurst, Bergen Beach, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Crown Heights, Flatbush, East Flatbush, East New York, Marine Park, Midwood and Sheepshead Bay. Although we encourage all to apply, please be advised there will be a wait if you have other neighborhood preferences.

In-Person Training: Please email abroughton@heightsandhills.org to RSVP for one of the dates below!

Tuesday, September 16, 6-7 pm OR Tuesday, October 7, 6-7 pm ~ Downtown Brooklyn Office - 81 Willoughby St. Suite 302 Brooklyn, NY 11201

Volunteer Application: All volunteers must submit an application, please click here to access the application.

Contact: Volunteer Program Director at 718 596-8789, ext. 335 or volunteer@heightsandhills.org for more information.

Thank you!