| Board of Governors 2010 | Mary Alice Jackson, Esq. Chairman
Alan Sloan, PhD. Vice Chair-North
John Counsell, Vice Chair-South
Darrin Halsey, Treasurer
Gloria Schranz, DDS, Secretary
Edward F. Banaszak, MD
Richard J. Beebe, MD
Brother William J. Geenen, CSC
Hayden Lipp, PhD
Kevin W. O'Neil, MD
Molleen Pust
Albert Resnick, MD
Colleen
Reynolds,
Joseph Sullivan, MD
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| Mission | | "Empowering individuals, families and communities through Healthy & Supportive Aging Services, and Community Engagement" |
| Commitment | The Friendship Centers have pioneered innovative programs for older adults for nearly four decades, leading the way in finding ways to improve our lives, our communities and our world for all generations.
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Community Engagement
Healthy Aging
Supportive Aging
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| Greetings!
 This edition of Friendship Forward proudly shares some of
our rich history as an organization. Since 1973 our "people helping people"
philosophy has relieved isolation and loneliness, promoted independence, and prevented
premature institutionalization for tens of thousands of older adults in our
communities. Almost four decades later,
we find ourselves at the epicenter of a global longevity revolution which will touch each and every one of us. Our mission is more important than ever.
Many of the readers of this newsletter are our prized
volunteers who make our organization so dynamically unique. Our medical and
dental services, for those on limited income, are staffed by retired volunteer
physicians, dentists and nurses. In our Friendship-at-Home program
volunteers are friendly visitors who break down isolation and loneliness for
those frail and home bound. Our Caregiver Resource Centers involve volunteers
and existing community resources to help others on the difficult care giving
journey. And, our acclaimed Friendship Centers engage hundreds of
volunteers who support just a few paid staff in special models of efficiency
that have become our trademark.
Recognizing the growing limitations of governmental support,
and the ever increasing needs, we continue to develop important new programs
and extend our community outreach through our Longevity Center, drawing upon the amazing talents and time-generosity
of community volunteers. Our founders simply called it "people helping people."
It is a concept that has withstood the test of time.Warmest regards
Bob Carter
President and CEO
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*One in eight Americans are age 65 or above today, compared to one in ten in the 1950s.
*Due to improved longevity, there are six million Americans age 85 or older in 2010--twice as many as in 1990.
*The number of baby boomers reaching age 85 in 2031, will rapidly rise to an estimated 21 million by 2050.
*As the ratio of workers to retirees falls, there will be relatively fewer workers to support public outlays for Social Security and Medicare. In 1970 there were 3.7 workers for every SSN beneficiary. In 2010, 3.3 workers. By 2030 there will be just over two (2.2).
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Spotlight
When the decision is made to volunteer your time, seldom is the intention to commit a lifetime to any one organization. In fact, few organizations can boast they have a volunteer for more than 30 years - a dedicated person who has "punched the clock" five days a week.
At Senior Friendship Centers, Molleen Pust is that volunteer. In fact, Brother Geenen calls Molleen his "first volunteer." For full story, click here
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Our Programs  
When Brother William Geenen, CSC arrived in Florida in 1973, he had little more than an old building, a card table, and the vision of what people can accomplish working together to find solutions. From the beginning, Senior Friendship Centers was a dynamic, innovative organization which drew on the abundant talents of people in the community with new ideas about how to address the challenges of aging. For full story, click here |
 Senior Friendship Centers Inc. received a grant of $10,000 from the Arline Smyth Quinn Charitable Foundation through Northern Trust Bank.......
The Centers for Healthy Aging in Sarasota recently received a donation in the amount of $5,000 from the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies......
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Plan To Attend:  10/23/2010 Make A Difference Day--Friendship Volunteer CenterVolunteers in Sarasota and Manatee counties will join millions of Americans across the country completing volunteer projects to improve their communities and help neighbors in need. For full story, click here |
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 You Can Make A Difference!
You can donate online at
www.friendshipcenters.org
or contact Karen Bigner at
kbigner@friendshipcenters.org **Matching gifts are an ideal way to double your support of Senior Friendship Centers. Many corporations match contributions from either current or retired employees
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