Friendly Visiting Program
What is Friendly Visiting?
The Friendly Visiting - Escort Program is a support service that matches volunteers with frail, isolated seniors or adults with disabilities to provide one-on-one socialization and to escort on walks, errands and medical appointments. The program provides clients with visits in their own homes; this helps them maintain social contact and integrates them more effectively into their community.
The goal of this program is to provide friendly companionship, connect seniors with the community and provide an element of independence. Clients can come to our office, or we will make arrangements for an in-home assessment.
Committed, caring and responsible volunteers offer friendship by making regular visits.
Personal interviews with volunteers and clients are conducted to ensure mutually satisfying relationships.
Benefits to you, the client:
- Make a new friend
- Help maintain your independence in the community
- Support and companionship
- A link to the East York community
- Interesting conversations
- Opportunities to do things outside your home
- Something to look forward to
- A chance to laugh, cry and care
Benefits to you, the volunteer:
- Special friendship
- Chance to learn new skills and gain new insights
- New challenges and personal growth
- Sense of satisfaction
- Opportunity to share life experiences and other cultures
We Offer:
- a careful matching service to suit both individuals
- ongoing support from the Program Co-ordinator
- no client expense
- personal volunteer visits or telephone visits
- escorts to appointments
What people are saying about the Friendly Visiting Program:
"I look forward to her visits every Friday afternoon. I love to chat with her. She's not a volunteer, she's my best friend."
"(My Friendly Visitor) is a darling friend. She's indispensable to me as my eyes are getting worse. I could never manage without her."
"I waited a long time to find a friend like him."
"I have been a visiting volunteer for many years. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to know I'm making someone's life a little better and that I make a difference in their life."
Escorting
This is a great service for clients who need someone to escort them to an appointment. Our volunteers escort clients to appointments. The volunteer does not provide transportation and needs to be available Monday - Friday during the day.
Hours: Coordinators are available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Volunteer escort visits are available Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. 24 hours notice of cancellation is required. Volunteer visiting is
available seven days a week and evenings.
Costs: This service is free. The client is responsible for volunteer escort's transportation cost.
Contact: (416) 422-2026 or Email for more information about the Friendly Visiting - Escort Program.