WENDY NOWOKUNSKI OF WESTFORD TO CO-CHAIR EVENT HONORING LOCAL ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO ENDING ELDER ISOLATION

With over 62,000 elders living in Boston, more than 22,000 are currently living alone. Social isolation and loneliness among elders can be debilitating both emotionally and physically. It’s a growing problem for today’s generation, but a local non-profit organization has the solution. FriendshipWorks is proving that friendships are key to putting an end to elder isolation. In celebration of connecting thousands of elders with the community, FriendshipWorks is hosting a special event, My Friend, My World Gala, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza on November 18, 2014.

FriendshipWorks matches elders with volunteers who provide a host of services from in-home visits to escorting elders to medical appointments, to introducing elders to their pets. “What we do may seem simple, but it could mean the difference between life and death,” revealed FriendshipWorks Executive Director Janet Seckel-Cerrotti. “The health impact of social isolation and loneliness can be devastating and having a friend, someone to talk to, someone who cares, is so important. By providing short-term and long-term services to elders, we bring the world in to those who can’t get out themselves.”

Attracting hundreds of attendees, My Friend, My World Gala is co-hosted by Westford resident Wendy Nowokunski, co-founder and President of the Northbridge Companies, a leader in the senior housing industry. With over two decades of experience in the senior housing market, Nowokunski’s vision and philosophy for seniors includes an emphasis on living well and loving life. “By providing enriched elder housing, Northbridge Companies creates a sense of community for elders,” said Nowokunski. “The services that FriendshipWorks provide are also essential for helping elders feel connected to their own communities. FriendshipWorks assures that no elder is left alone behind closed doors. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience for both elders and FriendshipWorks volunteers.”

Co-chairing the event with Nowokunski is Andrea Cohen, co-founder and CEO of HouseWorks, the largest single site private home care company in the country. Featuring a special performance by award winning singer and songwriter Judy Collins, the event will also honor The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with the Catalyst Award for providing the initial seed funding for FriendshipWorks, and Enid Shapiro with the Friendship Award for her lifelong dedication to advocacy for elders. The My Friend, My World Gala will be held November 18, 2014 at 6:00 pm at The Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Street, Boston, MA. For tickets and information, visit www.fw4elders.org or call 617-482-1510.

About FriendshipWorks

FriendshipWorks (formerly MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers) is a network of trained volunteers that provide support and assistance to elders in Boston and Brookline. With thirty years of experience recruiting, training, and placing volunteers for this purpose, FriendshipWorks’ mission is to decrease the social isolation, enhance the quality of life, and preserve the dignity of elders. FriendshipWorks partners with congregations of all faiths to identify people who need assistance and find volunteers who share the organization’s goal of helping a neighbor in need. FriendshipWorks cooperates and shares referrals with area hospitals, long-term care facilities, health, government, and human service agencies. www.fw4elders.org