About Alameda Friendly Visitors

In 2004, Alameda Friendly Visitors was created, making additional services available under the umbrella of Alameda Meals on Wheels. It is now possible to offer a weekly 1-2 hour visit to Alameda’s homebound individuals as well as those in nursing/care facilities.

At the heart of our service is companionship and the time spent together can vary depending on the recipient’s interests and mobility.

Oftentimes, visits are followed up with phone check-ins. Feelings of loneliness and isolation are replaced with a new friend, hope, and a visit to look forward to.

How It Works

Recipients are interviewed at home or in care center; needs are assessed and interests noted.

Volunteers are interviewed, trained and given a complete background check.

Program Director
matches recipient
with most compatible
volunteer.

Weekly visits
begin and a new
friendship is formed.

Need more information? Please email us at friendlyvisitors@sbcglobal.net or call 510-748-0342 and speak with our program director, Jane Neal.

What our recipients have to say . . .

My visitors are absolutely wonderful! Their visit makes a big difference in my week. We talk about families, our problems and the world. This makes me feel like I am a part of the outside world.

My visitor is so loving and sweet. She calls and checks in between visits. Sometimes we go to lunch or shopping when she comes. There are times I don’t see people for days, so I love to see her.

What our volunteers have to say . . .

I love Dorothy, and we’ve become friends. I feel like I have a new friend. She shows me her paintings, has a great sense of humor, and appreciates everything I do. She always sends me off with a “thank you” and “God bless you.”

I never expected to gain so much from this experience. One of the ladies I visit has offered to teach me Spanish!

Did you know?

We are multi-lingual:
Our volunteers can offer communication in multiple languages in addition to English.

Do you speak another language? Maybe you should volunteer!

In earlier years, these AFV recipients were:

Project Manager – State Judicial Council
Electronics Technician (1st woman in research & dev.)
Artist
NBA Basketball player
Chemical Engineer
Antique Dealer
WAVE
Social Worker
Banker
Legal Secretary
Elementary Teacher
Church Historian
Actor – Drama Group during WWII
College Professor
Assistant District Attorney – San Francisco

Among our volunteers, we have:

Retired Minister
Court Reporter
Former neighbor of Anne Frank in Amsterdam (Her family escaped just before Nazi occupation)
Judicial Assistant – State Court of Appeal
Retired Judge
80 year old bungee jumper
Marketing Document Specialist – S.F. Law Firm
Retired Psychologist
Children’s Theater Owner/Manager
Human Resource Vice President
Paralegal
Health Care Specialist

Recipient referrals come from:

Neighbors & families
Alameda Meals on Wheels
Alameda Hospital Social Workers
Alameda Police Dept.
Inter-City & County referrals
Alameda Fire Dept.
Visiting Nurses Association
Local Churches
Postcard mailings, media coverage
Mastick Senior Center
Community Service Organizations
Local Care Centers

Support Us

Volunteer

You can help AFV and its recipients by volunteering to be a Friendly Visitor. We'll pair you with a recipient who shares your interests to build a new friendship.

Contribute

AMOW receives no government funding and depends solely on donations from private citizens, businesses, service clubs, and organizations.

Sponsor

AMOW has been fortunate to receive support from a growing number of business sponsors who have donated cash as well as made "in-kind" donations.