Friendship Center Programs

To register for individual programs & classes, as well as to view the schedule for all activities, call us at 507-454-5212. 

About

The Friendship Center currently publishes a Newsletter every trimester. The most recent newsletter will give you the current program information that is being offered.

You may need to zoom in on the newsletter if the type is too small for you to read.  

• View Current Newsletter

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, 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 (Senior Advocate)
• Chore Corps provides chore assistance to Winona older adults. Chore Corps volunteers provide the following services: leaf raking, snow removal, gutter cleaning, window washing, light yard work, and other various requests.

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
• Dependent on which committee (Card/game, health/education/wellness, innovation/arts, fundraising, finance), members assist with program planning.

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
• Assists clients in-home with accessing virtual programming through the Friendships Forever program.
• Participates in programs with client.

Mission

Our mission is to help older citizens remain independent in their homes.

About

The Senior Advocacy Program offers information, referral and assistance to all individuals in Winona County age 60 and better who live independently in our community.

This is a free and confidential service.

No one will be refused access to the service because of race, religion, color, sex, economic status or disability.

The Senior Advocacy Program will make every attempt to provide adequate staff and/or equipment to ensure program accessibility to disabled individuals.

Services

The Senior Advocacy Program provides:

• Educational Programs
• Home Visits
• Information and Referral
• Medicare Assistance
• Supportive Services in:
  • Housing
  • Application for Benefits
  • Advance Directive for Health Care Preparation
  • Notary Services
  • Health Insurance Counseling
  • Money Management

The Senior Advocates assist individuals with:

• Energy Assistance Application
• Forms for property tax rebate or renter’s rebate
• Free cell phone or telephone discount
• Health Insurance counseling
• Housing Applications
• Prescription assistance programs
• Winona County Human Services application for services

The Senior Advocates make connections with other services available in our community:

• Companionship
• In home health and chore services
• Legal services
• Nutrition services
• Transportation options

Support Programs

• The Winona Dementia Friendly Community (Winona DFC) is working to create a safe and supportive community for persons with memory loss, care partners, and families through programs including:
  • A weekly Memory Cafe
  • The Forget Me Notes Chorus, our dementia-friendly choir
  • Dementia Friends Informational Sessions
• Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health (REACH) is a program to help care partners of persons living with dementia. REACH helps care partners with their current caregiving situations in ways that will make a positive difference for them and the care receivers. REACH can help the care partner with practical skills of problem-solving, managing feelings and emotions, and stress management.
• PEARLS, The Program to Encourage Active Rewarding Lives empowers people by teaching problem-solving skills to increase positive interactions and improve quality of life. It is a community-based treatment program for older adults that involve eight customized one-on-one sessions with a PEARLS counselor. Sessions can be in person, over the phone, or at home. Participants learn how to problem-solve and change behaviors to support well-being.

Friendships Forever

For the past eight years, we have been running a program for older adults who can no longer come to the Center because of declining health or lack of transportation. Technology in hand, a volunteer goes to the person’s home. The volunteer and the older adult participants in a program simultaneously with members at the Center using Zoom technology. Friendships Forever combat social isolation and loneliness and increase social engagement. 

Staff

• Director: Laura Hoberg
• Senior Advocate: Lori Paulson
• Senior Advocate: Marite’ Olmstead

Friendship Center Directory