Programs and Services
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly in Upper Michigan serves older adults through seven core programs to relieve isolation, improve health, maintain independence, and celebrate milestones that make life worth living.
Programs include our signature Friendly Visiting Program, Small Group Activities, and Holiday Meal Celebrations on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Direct Services include Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Firewood Assistance, Food Assistance, and a Durable Medical Aid Loan Closet.
All LBFE programs and services are for older adults age 60 and older.
All programs are free-of-charge.
friendly visiting
Our signature Friendly Visiting Program provides lonely older adults, our Forever Friends, with regular visits and other opportunities for social interaction.Visits can include a simple chat while enjoying a cup of coffee, a critical game of chess, learning how to browse the internet, or sharing your favorite recipes and making a meal together.
Once added to the program, we make a commitment to be a friend for a lifetime to create and foster long-term mutual friendships.
medical transportation
Door-through-door non-emergent medical transportation to and from healthcare appointments is available for older adults who have no other affordable transportation options available.
Transportation services are available in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties with limited transportation in Baraga, Marquette, and Ontonagon.
Transportation between these service areas is also available as well as wheelchair accessible transportation.
holiday celebrations
We host holiday celebrations and serve a traditional meal on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter so older adults will not be alone on the holiday. These dinner parties are served at multiple locations throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette, and Ontonagon Counties.
Our dinner parties are festive celebrations with a traditional holiday meal, brightly decorated hall and tables, entertainment, and lots of laughter. Before our elderly guests leave, they receive a fresh flower and small party favor.
Transportation is provided for those who need it, and all volunteers are encouraged to sit and eat with our elderly guests.
firewood assistance
Many Copper Country residents still heat their home with firewood.
Cut and split firewood is delivered to older adults who qualify to offset their annual heating costs throughout the long winter.
This supplemental firewood must be used solely for home heating, not for discretionary heating such as for sauna firewood.
food assistance
Each month we deliver a personalized grocery bag of non-perishable food to older adults who qualify.
Donations of non-perishable items are accepted.
durable medical aid equipment loans
social activities
Forever Friends have an opportunity to visit with their peers and meet new friends while celebrating special occasions like birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
These events are reserved for our elderly Forever Friends and by invitation only.
Not all activities are available in all counties.