Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly Upper Michigan Foundation

Mission and History

Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is a national network of nonprofit, volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. ​We offer to people of goodwill the opportunity to join the elderly in friendship and celebration of life.​

The only rural chapter in the United States, we opened our doors in 1982 to serve Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. Since then, we have steadily grown, expanding to Ontonagon in 1987, Baraga in 2001, and Marquette in 2013.

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The Upper Peninsula was chosen due to it's isolating climate, high population of older adults, high poverty rates, lack of family support and shortage of services for older adults.

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The first programs provided were Friendly Visiting, Holiday Meal Celebrations, and Firewood Delivery.

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The Upper Michigan Chapter is an independent member of the National Network of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly in the United States and the International Federation in