Over the past two years, DOROT's Caring Calls program has matched over 1,400 volunteers and older adults across 42 different states for weekly phone conversations leading to meaningful friendships.
As a testament to the success of this program, DOROT has now partnered with the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), NYSDOH - New York State Health Department and Aging-NY to develop training materials for a statewide rollout of a program modeled on Caring Calls. The "Friendly Calls" program matches volunteers across New York with older adults, individuals with disabilities or caregivers for weekly calls and connection. DOROT produced a package of four animated microlearning videos and training manuals to support Friendly Calls volunteers throughout their journey.
Ali Hodin-Baier, DOROT’s Chief Program Office shared, “We thank NYSOFA and the Association on Aging in New York for acknowledging DOROT’s expertise and seeking our guidance in developing training manuals and videos to support agencies in implementing the state’s new Friendly Calls program. The Friendly Calls program is based on DOROT’s highly successful Caring Calls model, which has brought thousands of volunteers and older adults across the country together for meaningful social connections over the phone. We know it to be life-changing for people experiencing social isolation and loneliness during the pandemic.”
Read more about the Friendly Calls program HERE.
Access the Friendly Calls training manuals HERE.
Watch the series of four Friendly Calls training videos below: