Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly
Little Brothers was founded after World War II by Armand Marquiset, a French nobleman, in response to the poverty suffered by many elders. Stripped of family and resources by the war, these elderly persons had no one to turn to for help. Little Brothers was created to offer that help.
Little Brothers - Boston began in 1979. It has been working with persons seventy and over who are without the benefit of family or adequate social contacts. Priority is given to elders living independently at, or below, the poverty line. Programs are offered without charge and without regard to race, gender, creed, nationality, or sexual orientation.
In October 2000, Little Brothers opened a beautiful home for its elders in Jamaica Plain. The home was the result of years of hard work by our volunteers and the generosity of our donors. The "home-like" setting provides a wonderful gathering spot for all kinds of events. The reaction of our elders and volunteers has been overwhelmingly positive. We invite to visit "our home" and take a look for yourself.
Our motto, "Flowers Before Bread", reflects our belief that "man cannot live by bread alone".
Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly is a national non-profit, volunteer-based organization committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. We offer, to people of good will, the opportunity to join with the elderly in the celebration of life.
We believe in, and nurture, the philosophy that feeding the soul (with companionship, friendliness, and flowers) as well as the body (with good food) promotes both the physical and mental health of the elderly, enabling them to remain independent and avoid costly and impersonal institutional alternatives.
Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly does not accept government funds and is not a United Way agency (Although you can designate Little Brothers – Boston as the recipient of your United Way or workplace campaigns.) All programs are funded solely through the generosity and compassion of volunteers, private donors, corporations, and foundations. Without this generous support from the Boston community at large, Little Brothers could not fulfill its mission to relieve the loneliness and isolation of its "at risk" elders.
