Volunteering at the Friendly Home

Volunteers provide so many of the little “extras” that create special moments in the daily lives of our Members. Whether you have more time to volunteer on a regular basis or just a little bit of time once in a while, you can lend a hand at the Friendly Home.

Our volunteers spend time visiting one-on-one with Members, participating in group activities, planning and helping out at Member events, or assisting in our offices. They sing, bake, read, garden, go on outings, bring in their pets, play instruments, raise funds and so much more.

Here are just some of our volunteer opportunities for consideration:

  • Friendly Visitor
    Social interaction and the opportunity to make new friends mean so much to our Members. As a Friendly Visitor, you can engage them in many different ways: Share a cup of coffee in our café, stroll through the rose gardens, chat on our front porch and more. Conversation and just spending time together is what counts. And you may schedule visiting time at your convenience.
  • Clerical/Office Support
    Many departments at the Friendly Home (Human Resources, Social Work, Marketing & Development) could use a helping hand with clerical tasks including copying, filing and preparing bulk mailings. This support is flexible to accommodate almost any schedule. Training will be provided as needed.
  • Friendly Gift Shop 
    The Friendly Gift Shop is a wonderful place to volunteer. You may help Members and visitors with choosing a greeting card or gift for someone special, or something nice for themselves!
  • Recreation Support
    The Friendly Home is proud to offer our Members a wide variety of activities, entertainment and special events. Volunteers are needed to gather and transport Members in wheelchairs to and from these activities, as well as stay with Members to enjoy it with them. Baking and ceramics classes, musical performances, bingo and holiday parties are just a few examples. Volunteers are also needed to accompany members on outings to local restaurants for lunch, shopping trips, etc.

Volunteer SpotlightMaggie Rustowicz

Whether it’s cocktail hour, neighborhood visits or in the Friendly Gift Shop, on Thursdays you are likely to find Maggie spending time with Friendly Home Members! This senior nursing student and St. John Fisher College Service Scholar is a committed volunteer who loves to make our Members happy.
Read Story

Volunteer Requirements

  • Complete and return a volunteer application.
  • Once your application is received, our Volunteer Coordinator will call you to discuss your interests and availability.
  • Attend an orientation.
  • Complete an annual personal and confidential health screening with our medical nurse, including a tuberculin skin test. Volunteers also need to provide proof of immunity to rubella/rubeola. If you cannot provide proof, a simple blood test will be performed as part of your health screening at no charge.

Additional requirements for teen volunteers:

  • You must be at least 14 years old to volunteer at the Friendly Home.
  • Submit your application.
  • Provide immunization records.

Submit Your Application

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the application below. You may email the application to Kathy Main, our Volunteer Coordinator, at xznva@sevraqylubzr.bet, or mail it to the address below:

Friendly Home
3156 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618
Attention: Kathy Main

Adult Application Teen Application

For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Friendly Home, please contact:

Kathy Main, Volunteer Coordinator
585-789-3153
xznva@sevraqylubzr.bet