Friendly Visiting - Visits with Isolated Brooklyn 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!

Volunteer Program Updates: Thank you for your interest in volunteering! We are currently at volunteer capacity in the Friendly Visiting Program and will not be hosting a May training session. Please be aware that if you decide to attend the June training, there will still be a 3-month estimated waiting period before being matched in the program and we strongly prefer volunteers who live and/or can travel to the following Brooklyn neighborhoods: Bensonhurst, Bergen Beach, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Flatbush, East Flatbush, East New York, Marine Park, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay and Seagate. For more information, please contact Abbie Broughton, Friendly Visting Coordinator, at abroughton@heightsandhills.org.

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 6 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 non-familial character references

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

In-Person Training: Tuesday, June, 9, 6 to 7 pm, at 81 Willoughby Street, Suite 302. Please email abroughton@heightsandhills.org to RSVP!

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!