Do you want more friends but don’t know how to make more of them?
It’s a common challenge as we age and our interests, employment and living situations change. We got a recent update from Greater Cleveland Volunteers about Chat Pals, a program that matches people with shared backgrounds. We’re happy to pass along the update below from GCV.
At her core, Gail Arnoff has always been a mentor – whether through teaching or volunteering. She’s not about to stop helping others in the community. Whether teaching at Cleveland Municipal School District, Case Western Reserve University, or at John Carroll University — it’s all a matter of connecting with those who need guidance.
One year ago, she found the Chat Pals program description online and hoped it might be a good fit for her. A relatively new program, Chat Pals is available free for participants aged 55+.
It is a telephone and video-based (Zoom) that matches people with shared backgrounds, interests and experiences so that friendships can be formed.
For Gail, getting involved was as simple as contacting Greater Cleveland Volunteers. Although she and her Pal are different, they have the “commonality” of being Jewish. They now talk regularly about things friends usually talk about – weather, health, current events and more.
The relationship is kept simple with only a weekly call requirement. It does not involve planning or preparation. Gail and her Pal chat on Sundays at noon. “This is a really nice relationship,” says Gail, “I always enjoy the chat.”
As with many people enrolled with Greater Cleveland Volunteers, Gail works with more than just one charity. She has volunteered with College Now Cleveland (a partner nonprofit with Greater Cleveland Volunteers). She mentors first family members that are attending college. Add published writer and marathoner to her resume, and she has plenty to talk about with her Chat Pal.
If you’d like to volunteer or become a program participant in Chat Pals, contact Kirsten Riley 216-391-9500 x 2124 or [email protected].
