Help Our Members Share Their Voices
Effective engagement with older adults involves actively listening and genuinely responding to what matters to them. It is not only about giving them a voice, it is about ensuring older adults are valued and respectfully included in decisions about programs and policies that directly affect them. It is about building genuine partnerships to benefit them and the community in which we all live. 

We are hoping you might enjoy reaching out to our older adult members by phone and helping them share their voices with us! We would provide you with a script to get you started and a list of questions and opportunities for sharing. We are currently finalizing the details. In order to preserve the integrity of the information collected, you would not call anyone you are currently paired with or have a relationship with through LBFE. If this sounds like a fun and impactful opportunity for you, please reach out to Ann Fosco or 612-746-0725
"(We had a) delightful visit on zoom. She loves chow mein from House of Wong." ~Volunteer Claudia
Tuesdays with Liz on
MyTalk 107.1
MyTalk 107.1 radio is taking listener questions for their Tuesday’s with Liz segment. In case you don't know, Liz is an LBFE member who also happens to be a radio personality! She joins the Jason and Alexis show every Tuesday morning at 7:45. Liz is pretty remarkable. She loves listening to books on tape about history and politics, and is very interested in current affairs and public service. She has no family to speak of and has led a fiercely independent life. What would you like to ask this dynamo? Tweet your questions to @lexandthecities or
@jasonmatheson
Isolated Adults and Young Artists
Boosted by Phone Calls
The premise was as simple as a friendly voice on the other end of the phone. A chance for older adults and young artists to just connect and converse for 30 minutes once a week about anything – family, current events, memories, the city of Milwaukee where they all live. No Zoom, just simple conversations throughout the course of a 12-week project. Click the link to find out what really happened! Tele-Stories
Our friends at Senior Community Services have invited us to take part in any of their virtual opportunities if we would like to! If your phone friend has the technology to participate, it could be a great way for you to share an experience. They have some really cool offerings. I plan to take a tour of England! Virtual Programs
Phone Companion Tips
"Be patient and listen. Often you’ll hear a lot of stories multiple times and just be okay with it."
Question of the week for your chat with your phone friend
Which invention from your lifetime are you most amazed by? (What was life like before color TV, personal computers, the Internet, etc.)
Share the number and have some fun!
Don't forget to let your phone friend know that in addition to your friendship, they are more than welcome to call into Coffee Talk anytime! No need to sign-up, no commitment, just friendly conversation with a caring volunteer. M-F 8:00 am to Noon
Call 612-746-0728
Meeting in Person
Please know that meeting in person is not required of phone companions. If you do choose to meet your phone friend for an in-person visit, please adhere to the guidelines below.  Thank you!
  • Understanding that it is a personal choice, Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly recommends that all volunteers and elders receive a COVID-19 vaccination if their current health status allows it.
  • Once an elder and volunteer have been fully vaccinated, and the required two-week waiting period has ended, meeting in person is at their discretion. If the elder lives in a congregate setting (assisted living residence, long-term care facility, etc.) always adhere to the facility’s policies and procedures for visiting. 
  • If neither the volunteer nor the elder has been fully vaccinated, we discourage any in-person meetings.
  • If neither the elder nor the volunteer has been fully vaccinated, an in-person visit outside, weather permitting, might be possible if masks are worn and social distancing guidelines are followed. (i.e. going for a walk, sitting on the patio or porch, etc.)
  • If after being fully vaccinated, a volunteer and elder wish to be together in a public place, masks should still be worn and social distancing guidelines followed.
  • For more information, please visit the CDC website.
To connect with resources for older adults be sure to contact the Senior Linkage Line at 1-800-333-2433
Don't forget to enter your time!
If you don't already have your new personalized link, you can request one here anytime.