District Grantee Bringing Friendship to Isolated Seniors

Mountain View, CA – In 2020, as Californians sheltered in place to curb the spread of the then-unknown COVID-19 virus, many grew increasingly concerned about the emotional toll isolation would take on the elderly—already among the most socially isolated members of society. Amid this uncertainty, Friendly Voices – Phone Buddies for Seniors was created. This free program connects volunteers with low-income and underserved seniors across California, offering a simple yet powerful antidote to loneliness: a once-a-week phone call filled with camaraderie, connection, and friendship.

"This year, the El Camino Healthcare District proudly awarded Friendly Voices an $11,000 grant to fuel their inspiring mission," said Dr. George Ting, chair of the El Camino Healthcare District Board of Directors. "As a new partner, we are deeply moved by their work — reaching out, one call at a time, to remind seniors they are known, heard, and cherished. A simple reminder that ‘You matter and are not forgotten’ can be a powerful lifeline, offering comfort, and a renewed sense of belonging. There is no substitute for human contact. It keeps people grounded and keeps their world from getting too small."

Friendly Voices partners with social workers and community agencies for client referrals, though individuals may also enroll directly through the organization’s website. Each senior is thoughtfully matched with a trained, vetted volunteer for personalized weekly conversations, with connections designed to last at least six months—and often much longer.

"I have one person every week to depend on to call me,” said Mary, a Friendly Voices client who lives in Mountain View. “She's really kind, she lifts my spirits, she's very dependable."

While the pandemic has largely passed, the emotional impact of prolonged isolation persists. Just last year, the U.S. Surgeon General declared loneliness an "epidemic." Friendly Voices may not shift national statistics, but it continues to make a profound difference, one meaningful connection at a time.

"Loneliness is a huge issue for people, and especially seniors," said Laura Steuer, the founder of Friendly Voices. "True isolation for an older adult is living at home, no one to talk to, no visitors, home-bound, and literally day-by-day-by-day not interacting with another human being. Friendly Voices offers people someone to connect with—a reassuring, remote friendship for those who might otherwise be completely alone."

Today, Friendly Voices has grown to 90 volunteers making weekly calls to more than 130 seniors across the state. It remains the only "phone buddy" program in the Bay Area specifically serving Bay Area residents. Since its founding, the program has reached more than 350 individuals and is now working toward a goal of connecting with 40 seniors living within the El Camino Healthcare District.

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