Friendship at Heart Program

NORWESCAP/Skylands RSVP Volunteer Resource Center’s community outreach program, titled “Friendship at Heart”, is comprised of three free services - Telephone Reassurance, Friendly Visitor, and Senior Cents. For isolated seniors or disabled persons, these programs provide much-needed friendship and support, as well as the stimulation needed to fight against depression, disorientation, loneliness and many other physical, emotional and mental health problems. 

Friendly Visitor

Seniors and disabled persons aged 60 and older can be matched with a “Friendly Visitor” volunteer, who will visit about once a week at a mutually agreeable time.  Friendly visitors may accompany their new friends on short outings, participate together in community activities, or just stay home and explore hobbies or chat over a cup of coffee.  For each participant, it is a chance to make a new friend; the possibilities of friendship are endless!

Telephone Reassurance

Seniors and disabled persons aged 60 and older can receive a daily phone call from a dedicated “Telephone Reassurance” volunteer.  Participants look forward to chatting with their telephone friends and appreciate the sense of security that comes from someone checking on them regularly.

Senior Cents

Seniors and disabled persons aged 60 and older who meet specific criteria can be matched with a “Senior Cents” volunteer, who will visit about twice a month at a mutually agreeable time.  During visits, the background checked and trained volunteer may open mail, organize bills for payment, set up a monthly budget, balance a checkbook, and assist the client in check writing (all checks are signed by the client).

Please contact 973-784-4900, ext. 205 or rsvp@norwescap.org for more information!

Criteria for Referrals

Referrals can be made by case managers, social work personnel, medical personnel, clergy, family, friends or by the individuals themselves.

For more information on criteria view the program flyer here (PDF)

Volunteers

All volunteers are carefully screened and trained. For more information on volunteering view the program flyer here (PDF)

Skylands Volunteer Resource Center, 21 Pine Street, Suite 101, Rockaway, NJ 07866. 973-784-4900