SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA LITTLE BROTHERS - FRIENDS OF THE ELDERLY
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Mission Statement
Little Brothers -- Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. We offer people of good will the opportunity to join the elderly in friendship and the celebration of life.
About This Cause
PROGRAMS DURING COVID: Social calls- Volunteers call their elder two times a week. Many of the older adults have more than one volunteer calling them. Birthday call- Elders receive birthday cards, sweet treats and phone calls on their special day Peer-to-Peer (elder-to-elder) calls- Connect with other LBFE older adults Grocery and prescription delivery - Volunteers deliver to the older adults with no contact delivery Census phone calls- Volunteers assist older adults in completing the 2020 Census Care packages- LBFE has mailed out over 600 care kits to our LBFE elders. The care kits included gloves, masks, crossword puzzles and adult coloring books, soap, tea, sweet treats, instant oats, soup and assorted personal hygiene products, redemption card for $35.00 worth of groceries, and pertinent COVID 19 information as well as information for social services help lines. Volunteers make masks and cards to be included in these packages. R.I.D.E. is Reliable Independent Destination Experience. LBFE is using a grant credit with a ride share company to get older adults to their medical appointments. Remote Multi-modal Intergenerational Social Contact Initiative (by phone or video conferencing) Remote Tech Allies 2.0 - Currently offered to the older adults who have completed Tech Allies to provide training for video conferencing, telemedical health, and other health related topics ForYou Art Program – LBFE is working with a nonprofit called ForYou which connects artists and elders while we’re all sheltering in place. They brings strangers together for shared Mother Teresa, who, on visiting cities in the Western Hemisphere, remarked: “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love.” Since 1991, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) has been working to relieve isolation and loneliness among Older Adults living in San Francisco. LBFE is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization committed to providing friendship and companionship to Older Adults who are in needs of social support. LBFE currently serves 535 elders, ages 62 to 100, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, financial means, or mental and physical ability. Although our programs are offered city-wide, the majority of our elders (average age of 84.5) live under impoverished circumstances in our core services areas: the Tenderloin, Mission, Western Addition, SOMA, and Bayview/Hunter’s Point. Our programs are: Matched Visiting Volunteer — Elders build a friendship with one volunteer over a year. Matches meet at least 2x per month. "I get some of my meals delivered but I have no one to eat with, or to talk to. Before D. started visiting me I was lonely and depressed and sometimes didn't talk to anyone for days. I am thankful for the meals but they just feed my body. My friendship with D. showed me how hungry I was for company - for time with someone who cares about me. I'm much happier now. D. helps me feel more in touch with the world, more connected " Monthly In-Home Visits/Holiday Visits — Every month on a Saturday an in-home visit is held, typically in the morning or early afternoon. Birthday Visits — Elders celebrate their special day with a volunteer. Medical Escort Program— Volunteers drive and escort elders to and from their medical appointments. Social Gatherings — LBFE hosts luncheons and other social events quarterly at which our older friends can enjoy a meal, play games, and meet volunteers and other LBFE elders. Tech Allies — Volunteers are trained to teach their older friend the digital skills they need to use the Internet independently. “Thank you from the nearly bottomless pit of joy / understanding that is the essence of ME, for bringing me the Internet, I finally understand the true meaning of "being connected" to the world. And thank you for "Billy". He showed me what it really means to be a part of the global socially connected family, without his excellent assistance I would still be living in the "dark" ages. I will most certainly miss him, but we worked out that if I get stuck or have questions I can Facebook him my questions, really way cool.” Cuddle Club — The 1st Friday of every other month, join us in visiting Muttville Senior Dog Rescue to receive the special love that only dogs can offer. Multi-modal Social Contact Initiative (MISCI) - Intergenerational matched program. A ‘triad’ consists of 2 visits per month for 3 months. A creative project is developed with student partners. MISCI began as a developmental prototype in 2018 with seven older participants matched with two younger participants. The Fall 2018 session hosted five triads. The recent Spring 2019 session held five times the number: twenty-five triads and 3 triads for the summer session. This program was subjected to a feasibility and acceptability study, the results of which indicate the early signs of effectiveness in improving younger participants’ sense of purpose in life, and their attitudes toward older people generally and the program itself. R.I.D.E. – Reliable. Independent. Destination. Experience. LBFE uses ride-sharing companies to get Older Adults to social events, medical appointments, as well as business and personal appointments. Funds from CSSA Insurance of California were instrumental in starting this pilot program. Last year, LBFE provided 50 rides via the Medical Escort Program.