Circle of Friends extends the foundation’s work into the explicit space of health and wellbeing. It pairs UpStanders with neighbors facing the loneliness compounded by hardship — recognizing that isolation is itself a social determinant of health.
How it works
- Each Circle pairs 3–5 UpStanders with a single neighbor over a multi-month commitment
- Structured check-ins, plus the unstructured space of real friendship
- Coordination with partner clinics and case managers when appropriate
Why circles, not pairs
Isolation is rarely solved by one person. A small circle distributes the weight of presence, models community for the neighbor at the center, and protects against the burnout that comes when one mentor carries everything alone.
Partnership with Room in the Inn
Many of the neighbors in our Circles come through our long-standing partnership with Room in the Inn. The relationship doesn’t end when someone is housed — that’s often when the loneliest stretch begins.