Family Friends
Cause Area
- Children & Youth
- Community
- People with Disabilities
- Seniors
Location
1601 N. Broad St., USB 206Philadelphia, PA 19122 United StatesOrganization Information
Mission Statement
The goal of the Family Friends programs is to facilitate the caring relationships between older adult (50+) volunteers and families that have children with special needs. The goal is to help reduce the stress that parents and grandparents of children with special needs face, and to build community through connections between older and younger people.
Description
Family Friends volunteers visit families that have children with special needs in the family's home at least once a week for a minimum of two hours. Volunteers are carefully trained and receive ongoing support and recognition from the program. During their visits, volunteers provide companionship and support to the child and parent or grandparent. As a volunteer gets to know a family better, they may accompany the family on doctor's visits, teacher's meetings, outings, and over time become like an extended family member to the family.