Friendship at Heart Programs for Seniors
and People with Disabilities

Telephone Reassurance Program

A daily phone call connects a lonely or isolated senior or a permanently disabled adult with the outside world.  It brings peace of mind to caregivers in knowing someone is checking on the recipient's safety and well-being.  There is security in knowing someone is in daily contact with a loved one.

Each weekday volunteers make phone calls from calling sites throughout Morris County.  Every volunteer is screened and trained in emergency procedures; many have been instrumental in averting tragedies.  In addition to checking on the recipients, volunteers provide a “friendly ear” and can give information about available services.

Friendly Visitors Program 

Screened and trained volunteers are matched with isolated homebound elderly persons or persons with permanent disabilities who would benefit from a regular visit.  Volunteers, who are matched on the basis of location and time availability, commit to a minimum of one visit a week at a time convenient to both the volunteer and recipient.  Background checks are performed on all visitors.

Everyone benefits from these services.  The recipients enjoy companionship, reassurance, socialization and contact with the community.  The volunteers receive great satisfaction by alleviating the loneliness and isolation of the homebound.

Phone Buddies

Phone Buddies is a program that clusters five seniors to make and receive a daily wellness phone call.  Everyday, one person in the cluster of five (a different one each day) calls the other four for a brief
conversation.  That means Monday through Friday each senior in the “buddy” system receives one phone call from another buddy and is assigned one day to call the four other buddies.

Phone Buddies helps break the loneliness of being homebound and fosters new friendships over the phone.   They will know that they have friends nearby with whom they can speak  and reach out for help or advice.  This program is especially appropriate for non-English-speaking seniors.  

These programs are FREE for all participants.

For more information on becoming a Friendship at Heart volunteer, or if you know of someone who would benefit from either program, contact Toni Teague at 973-538-7200, ext 12, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .