Friends & Co

Visiting Companions Pairs older adults with background-checked, trained volunteers for meaningful, in-person visits--typically one to two times per month. Participants decide together on visit frequency, timing, and location. Phone Companions - Connects older adults with a background-checked volunteer for regular one-on-one phone conversations. Older adult and volunteer members collaborate to establish their preferred calling schedules, with most pairs chatting weekly. Coffee Talk A drop-in phone line offering older adults the opportunity to connect with caring volunteers for friendly, one-on-one conversations. When appropriate, Friends & Co provides information about more direct services and other social engagement opportunities. Cards Connect Engages volunteers and corporate partners across the United States to create handmade cards, which are sent quarterlyincluding fall, winter, spring, and Valentines Day. Lets Do Lunch Caf Provides a welcoming, affirming space for LGBTQ+ older adults to gather twice monthly for a no-cost lunch and social connection in Saint Paul and Minneapolis. Participants do not need to register or RSVPthey simply attend and enjoy community, conversation, meals, and guest speakers selected by an advisory committee of participants. Lets Do Coffee An extension of Lets Do Lunch, this program offers LGBTQ+ older adults additional opportunitiesfour times each monthto connect over coffee and conversation at no cost. Gatherings are held in partnership with the Queermunity Center in South Minneapolis, The Pillars of Minneapolis near the University of Minnesota, and Family Means in Stillwater. Caf y Conversaciones & Momentos Compartidos These in-person gatherings foster friendship and community for Spanish-speaking older adults. Caf y Conversaciones, offered in partnership with DARTS, in Dakota County, provides twice-monthly social activities for Spanish-speaking older adults in the East Metro. Conceived by participants in Friends & Cos Community Conversations, the program offers a welcoming environment with enriching activities and culturally specific snacks. Mementos Compartidos offers a similar experience for older adults in South Minneapolis, in partnership with Centre Tyrone Guzman.