SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS

Senior Friendship Centers is a nonprofit organization serving older adults in four counties in Southwest Florida by promoting health, dignity and quality of life throughout the journey of aging. We are the safety net for close to 15,000 seniors living in our service area, providing services such as home delivered meals, dining centers, caregiving resources, adult day services, exercise classes, lifelong learning, economic assistance, and socialization. A belief in “People Helping People” has been the foundation of Senior Friendship Centers for more than four decades. Volunteers serve in nearly every facet of the organization, helping older adults to live active, healthy lives and maintain their independence. Through essential programming, support, and state and local partnerships, Senior Friendship Centers is improving the health of thousands of uninsured seniors on limited incomes and helping older adults in our community feel connected in powerful ways.

THE POWER OF CONNECTION. Over the past few months, we have all come to know and understand the importance. All at once, we recognize the things we’ve taken for granted – leaving the house, connecting with friends and family, sharing a meal, giving someone a hug. Not being able to do these things affects our physical and mental health. As the founder of Senior Friendship Centers Brother Geenen said, “Isolation is the malnutrition of the elderly.” Imagine if there was no end to the isolation. That’s how homebound seniors feel every day.

In Sarasota County alone, more than 40,000 seniors, or about 23% of the population, live alone. As the only safety-net nonprofit for seniors in the four counties we serve, our most vulnerable population needs us now more than ever. Many of the seniors we help have been isolated for weeks…months…years…and are experiencing the devastating effects that loneliness can have on your mind, health and wellbeing.

SARASOTA - 1888 BROTHER GEENEN WAY, SARASOTA, FL VENICE – 2350 SCENIC DRIVE, VENICE, FL 941-955-2122 | FRIENDSHIPCENTERS.ORG

CREATIVE MARKETING SECTION :: SRQ MAGAZINE DEC 2020 IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING