About MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers

MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers is a network of trained volunteers who provide support and companionship to elderly and disabled adults living in the Boston area.

Prolonged social isolation and loneliness often results in serious and costly physical, mental, and emotional health problems in elderly and disabled adults. With over 30,000 people age 75 and older living alone in Boston, according to a recent report from the Boston Partnership for Older Adults, a significant slice of population is at risk for many of these problems.

The mission of MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers is to decrease the social isolation, enhance the quality of life, and preserve the dignity of elderly and disabled adults in all neighborhoods of Boston (Allston, Brighton, Back Bay, West End, Charlestown, East Boston, North End, South End, South Boston, Fenway, Roxbury, Dorchester, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Mattapan, West Roxbury, Hyde Park) and Brookline, Massachusetts.

To this end, volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths provide a range of elder services and programs. Friendly Visiting is our signature program. Friendly visitors develop a one-on-one friendship with an elder, often lasting for many years. Additional friendly visiting programs include the PetPals program which sends volunteers with dogs to visit elderly and disabled adults living in long-term care facilities and Strong for Life which brings together volunteers and older adults to perform an in-home exercise program.

MATCH-UP also responds to shorter-term needs. Medical escorts help elders get to important medical appointments. Short-term or one-time assistance volunteers help seniors with a wide range of tasks such as decluttering, simple home repairs, and transportation. MATCH-UP also offers health communication workshops for seniors, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

MATCH-UP was founded in 1984 through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. We have since served as a model in the creation of 1300 similar programs across the United States. Read more about our history…

In fiscal year 2007, MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers served 1050 individuals with over 16,488 hours of individualized service workshops. Learn more about volunteering…

MATCH-UP is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. We rely on the generous support of foundations, corporations, religious congregations, and individuals. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Our services are free of charge. Make a donation to MATCH-UP…

Get more information about MATCH-UP

Download the most recent (Spring 2007) issue of our newsletter. PDF; requires Adobe Reader)

Download a Spanish-language brochure about MATCH-UP (69k PDF; requires Adobe Reader)

E-mail MATCH-UP to be added to the mailing list.

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