I was trained to chat with an older adult over the phone, considering it wasn't currently safe to visit in person. FriendshipWorks aims to address loneliness in older adults, but one-third of Americans are lonely, regardless of age. I know I was, with just a small social circle of family members and friends from growing up in the suburbs. Our unconventional friendship wouldn't have happened if I hadn't decided to volunteer (and volunteering is a common recommendation to build social connection). We're more than 30 years apart, as she's 72 and I'm 38, we come from different parts of the country, and we have different religious beliefs and racial backgrounds.

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Persons: Carolyn, FriendshipWorks, we'd, Sarah Klein, hadn't, we've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Boston, New York City, Georgia, Cleveland