Friendship Center

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  2. Programs
  3. Newsletter
  4. Winona Senior Advocacy
  5. Directory

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Mission

Our mission is to support the quality of life for older adults in the Winona area.

Become a Member

Come join in the fun! We look forward to meeting you.

Becoming a Winona Friendship Center Member is easy, and only $30 for individuals and $50 for two people in the same household (fees subject to change without notice). This membership is an annual fee from the date of purchase. You are notified of your expiration date by mail. Stop in, mail-in, or call to purchase or renew your membership.

Benefits

Membership benefits:

  • Access to "members only" programs
  • Eligible Active Wellness Center Membership discount 
  • Member pricing 
  • The newsletter is mailed or emailed, if you have an email address, to you 3 times a year
  • Free computer access  
  • No-fee programs
  • Virtual Programs


Act on Alzheimer's


Winona - Working to become Dementia friendly

Businesses engaged in the Dementia Friends Movement

About

The Winona Friendship Center has a variety of volunteer opportunities. The Center is selected as a Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and many volunteers are needed to perform light clerical duties, assist in collaborative programs, work in subcommittees and help with special events and recreational programs. If you would like to help out with any of these opportunities please contact us or fill out the Volunteer Application

Practicum/Internship and Student Learning Opportunities

The Winona Friendship Center offers students a chance to work with older adults and gain experience in program administration, planning and client contacts. Students from WSU and SMU Social Work Program are able to complete their required practicum at the Center. The Winona Friendship Center has been proudly recognized for its support of this program. 

Students from other fields also choose the Friendship Center to complete required course work. Winona Senior High and Cotter High Schools send students to the Center for Community Service learning. If you would like to help out with any of these opportunities, please contact us or complete the Internship Application.

  • Reports to: Director
  • The Friendship Center offers internships and practicum experiences for students in any of the following fields: Sociology, Gerontology, Social Work, Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation and Tourism, Athletic Training, Exercise Science, Psychology, Nursing, Marketing, Advertising, or Public Relations. If you are interested in discussing opportunities, please fill out the volunteer application and the Director will set up a time to discuss possibilities.

Dementia Friendly Programs

  • Reports to: Dementia Friendly Communities Lead (Senior Advocate)
  • Transportation drivers: Provide transport for program participants to and from programs.
  • Memory Café: Assist with planning and implementing programs for persons with memory loss.
  • Forget Me Notes Chorus: Join participants to assist persons with memory loss for a weekly choral experience.

Chore Corps

  • Reports to: Chore Corps Coordinator 
  • Assists people 60 and better to continue to live in their homes as long as possible.   
  • Chore Corps volunteers assist community members in Winona and Goodview with outdoor chores such as raking, mowing, weeding, window washing, snow shoveling and other requests.  
  • Flexible scheduling weekdays, evenings and weekends. 

Educational Speaker/Instructor

  • Reports to: Recreation Coordinator
  • Provides educational, instructional or social programs to the members. Volunteers will submit proposed program or educational topic to the Recreation Coordinator after submitting volunteer application. Volunteers providing educational information will sign the Speaker Agreement form.

Computer Assistance

  • Reports to: Recreation Coordinator
  • Meet one-on-one with members to provide any or all of the following services: iPad/iPhone/Smartphone set-up and 101, Facebook or email assistance, Zoom or other virtual program help, computer basics, inbox cleanup, basic computer maintenance, any other services requested by patrons.

Activity Council Board of Directors

  • Reports to: Director
  • A 501C3 nonprofit. Members are voted in by the membership annually. An eight to ten member advisory board to Center staff, assisting with programming, policies and procedures affecting the general membership of the Center.
  • Term limits are imposed.

Activity Council Committees

  • Reports to: Recreation Coordinator
    • Cards, Games & Physical Activity
    • Education, Health & Wellness
    • Innovation
    • Travel
  • Members assist with new program ideas, planning and implementation and marketing ideas.

Community Gardens

  • Reports to: Recreation Coordinator
  • Garden Care: Volunteers care for community plots at the gardens. From weeding, planting, watering, and harvesting.
  • Produce Delivery: Volunteers pick up produce packages and deliver to the home of the client.

Special Events

  • Reports to: Director and/or Recreation Coordinator
  • Volunteers assist with various special events in a variety of ways such as serving food, set-up and tear-down, and more.

Friendships Forever

  • Reports to: Senior Advocate
  • Help homebound older adults remain active in their community.
  • Utilize iPad from Friendship Center to Zoom into programs for client.
  • Participate in programs with client.