Our Mission - Boston (Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly)

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly is a national, non-profit, non-sectarian, volunteer based organization committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly.  We offer volunteers the opportunity to join the elderly in the celebration of life.

We opened our Boston doors in 1979, and have since been working to improve the lives of the elderly men and women who turn to us for emotional and physical support.  With a small staff and a dedicated crew of volunteers, we reach out to our elderly neighbors to provide companionship, support and caring.  Our goal is to help our elderly friends to feel connected to a larger community.

In the last year we were privileged to touch the lives of 680 elderly women and men, and, with the participation of over 1,500 volunteers, provided 26,300 hours of friendship and service.

Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly is a 501(c)(3) organization – all gifts are tax deductible to the extent provided by the law.  We are not a government sponsored or United Way agency: all funds are raised from individual donors, volunteers, and with foundation and corporate help.

Our motto, flowers before bread, reflects our belief that living is more than a roof over our heads and food on the table. In addition to offering material and physical support, we believe that living requires the presence of people who care about us and about whom we care.  Living requires the little touches that bring joy, like flowers, music and shared laughter.  Flowers before bread is the cornerstone of all of our year round programs.

Getting help with my medical appointments is vital, but I look at those beautiful yellow flowers and I remember the visit.  I touch them and smell them and I know that someone is thinking of me.  When I come home I see them and I know that I am not alone. – Michiko, 80 years old