Where service to the elderly
begins by being a friend.

Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is a national nonprofit organization committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly.

We offer, to people of good will, the opportunity to join the elderly in friendship and the celebration of life.

Our services are free of charge to the elderly.

The national average of people 60 and older is 16%. Here in Houghton County the percentage of those 60 and older is 22%. Many demographers predict the national average will rise dramatically in the next couple of generations.

We're ahead of the national average because we are one of the first Rustbelts in the nation. Our industries have played out. Timbering and fishing have not generated significant employment in 30 years. Our underground copper mining had its heydays in the late 1800's, still employed large numbers as late as the 1940's, and steadily declined until the last mines closed in the late 1960's.

The largest consequence of this decline is our young people leave the area to make a living. They go to the Chicago metro, suburban Detroit, the Carolinas, or the west to make a living and raise their families.

Normally, children look after their parents - they help them with grocery shopping, make sure they get to the doctor, visit regularly with the grandchildren, and help with housing maintainance and chores. Because of the economics of the area, many leave after high school or college graduation.