LISBON — The best way to combat loneliness is to foster companionship.

That is exactly what the newly established Golden Friends Program is doing, and it is currently seeking eligible volunteers.

The new program is the result of discovery of a “loneliness epidemic” in Columbiana County, Paige Fortner said.

Golden Friends is a peer-based in-home companionship program that connects trained senior volunteers with homebound seniors in Columbiana County.

It is designed to reduce isolation and improve emotional well-being for homebound seniors.

Fortner is the program manager for the Senior Support Action Group, which developed the Golden Friends program with help from the Columbiana County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, as well as the Jerry Williams Memorial Fund.

The SSAG is a non-profit program in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties that serves homebound seniors since 2020 through food box delivery, and transportation to medical appointments and grocery stores, and via their phone pals program.

Fortner said the SSAG was awarded a grant at the very end of November 2024 that was put toward the development of Golden Friends.

“We’ve realized that one of primary issues in our community is a loneliness epidemic. We’ve done a phone pals program since 2020, where volunteers call and check in on homebound seniors once a week,” Fortner said.

However, it was soon discovered that some people benefited more from in-person visits.

Eligible volunteers must be 55 years and older and complete the required suicide prevention training.

Each volunteer is matched with one senior companion and they spend time together twice a month chatting, playing games, doing puzzles, crocheting or any other hobbies they choose during their time together.

“We have trained a handful of volunteers and are looking for clients and volunteers alike all around Columbiana County. We currently have nine volunteers that are specifically looking to be placed in East Palestine, but we are recruiting for the entire county,” Fortner said.

“Our first volunteer and client match was made in Columbiana and they are really enjoying each other’s company,” she added.

The trained volunteers provide emotional support and companionship to their peers, fostering meaningful connections that enhance quality of life and reduce suicide risk.

Volunteers receive a t-shirt, mileage reimbursement, and more, for participating in the program.

The program measures improvements in loneliness and depression, with quarterly evaluations to ensure program success.

Those interested in becoming a volunteer should contact Fortner by phone at 330-271-6622 or email at pfortner@fcsserves.org.