Meet the Team Behind: Befrienders

Befrienders is helping seniors in Montana combat loneliness and social isolation by pairing them with younger volunteers. By helping seniors with daily tasks and simply spending quality time with them, Befrienders volunteers allow seniors to maintain their independence and gain friendship in their later years. Learn more about their heartwarming work here! 

Can you tell me about the need for your work? 

For the past three decades, we have connected generations, honoring the human spirit and enriching lives through friendship and service. Many seniors face limited social interaction due to life transitions, physical limitations, or other circumstances. More than 40% of those over 65 regularly experience loneliness. Feelings of separation and social isolation can lead to serious health problems, increasing the risk of mortality by 26%. We have new senior applications arriving each week and hope to match over 100 new seniors this year with volunteers. Our volunteers are as young as 18, and our seniors have an average age of 80. 

What do your programs entail? 

Our Befrienders commit one hour per week to become a long-term match for a senior, helping them combat loneliness and supporting their ability to age in place. We pair volunteers with seniors for weekly visits, whether it’s sharing a meal, playing games, taking a walk, or simply enjoying good conversation. These connections bring joy, companionship, and a meaningful impact to both the volunteer and the senior. The “Lend a Hand” program is one-time, or sometimes recurring, opportunities to assist with specific tasks that help individuals remain independent in their homes. Volunteers help with technology, household tasks, moving, shoveling snow, accompanying someone to a local event, running errants, organizing, and more. 

Can you share one of your success stories? 

When Gerri and Erin became Befrienders last May, neither predicted how much their friendship would grow. Gerri’s humorous and playful spirit masked the loneliness she felt each day until Erin entered her life. Erin is always looking for ways to help Gerri know she is never alone. She makes Gerri meals, runs errands, and chats with her about anything. When Gerri expressed wanting a pet, Erin made it her mission to find the perfect match, eventually finding two bonded sibling cats that completely stole Gerri’s heart. Now with two furry companions and a true friend by her side, Gerri’s life has been transformed. She’s happier, more engaged, and truly flourishing.

Who are some of your unmatched seniors?

Lee is an 87-year-old who was a nurse assistant for her career, and now enjoys crocheting, doing puzzles, and her cat named Queen. Lee is homebound, so she needs someone who can visit her at home and take her to doctors appointments. Jackie is 90 years old and is looking for someone who she can share good food with— she’s a wonderful cook— and someone to encourage her to continue her passion of singing and music. She lives in a care facility but can go on walks with her Befriender. Despite being 92 years old, John is very active— he attends boxing classes three days a week and goes on independent walks daily. John loves to talk about sports and history, especially his time in the Navy, and would love a friend with whom he can visit bookstores, go thrift shopping, and get ice cream.