Phone Pals & Friendly Visitor
Free volunteer companionship for older adults — by phone or in person. Everything KC Shepherd's Center does is to reduce social isolation and loneliness among older adults. Our Phone Pal and Friendly Visitor programs are part of the wrap-around services that help the 90% of older adults who will age in place stay safe, healthy, and happy in the place they call home.
Are you someone who would like to:
- Share stories and everyday moments with someone new?
- Enjoy warm, easy conversation?
- Build a meaningful connection — by phone or in person?
- Meet new people and learn something along the way?
Whether you'd rather pick up the phone or share a cup of coffee in person, we have a way for you to connect. Here's how each program works:
Phone Pal
Our Phone Pal program pairs volunteers with older adults for a regular weekly phone call — a simple way to ease loneliness and build a real connection.
How it works
Volunteers are matched with an older adult and agree to call weekly (many check in even more often). The relationship is built through ongoing, friendly conversation — and it benefits both sides. Phone Pal volunteers often say the connection means as much to them as it does to the person they call.
Could you or someone you know benefit from a friendly phone call?
For more details and to volunteer, contact volunteer@kcshepherdscenter.org or call 816-293-9607.
"When 87-year-old Jonita Ruderman moved from Kansas City to Baltimore to be near family, her daughter didn't want her to lose touch with home. She reached out to KCSC's Phone Pal program, and Jonita was matched with a KC volunteer — the two hit it off right away. Jonita enjoyed it so much that she became a Phone Pal volunteer herself, and we introduced her to Patricia "Patty" Harris of KC, now having conversations with a new friend of her own."
Friendly Visitor
Our Friendly Visitor program pairs volunteers with older adults for in-home visits — a simple way to build connection and bring more joy into someone's week.
How it works
Volunteers visit an older adult in their home for a few hours each month, offering companionship and conversation. It's a small time commitment that makes a real difference — for the volunteer as much as the person they visit.
Could you or someone you know benefit from a friendly visit?
For more details and to volunteer, contact volunteer@kcshepherdscenter.org or call 816-293-9607.
The visit went great. He is doing well. He beat me at both Backgammon and Chess. He has a very logical mind. We talked about his computer programming, and his time in the army during Vietnam. We are going to meet again on Wednesday!
