55+ Services – Lansing Area AIDS Network

A Partnership with the Tri-Count Office in Aging

Food, Friendship, and Connections

Support and Companionship

The Lansing Area AIDS Network has partnered with the Tri-County Office in Aging to implement a program called Food, Friendship, and Connections.

Similar to the “buddy” program implemented in the early 1980’s as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Food, Friendship, and Connections exists to provide human connection and support services to the senior citizen community that is living with HIV. In addition to companionship services, eligible participants can also receive meals-on-wheels as a supplemental food source.

Eligibility

All individuals participating in the TCOA Food, Friendship, and Connections Program must be:

At least 55 years of age
Living in the tri-county area
Living with a positive HIV status

If you are interested in participating in the Food, Friendship, and Connections program, please contact us today for more information!

"Human beings are social creatures. We are social not just in the trivial sense that we like company, and not just in the obvious sense that we each depend on others. We are social in a more elemental way: simply to exist as a normal human being requires interaction with other people."

- Atul Gawande

Individuals interested in being trained as a volunteer do not have to be living with HIV and/or 55+ years of age, however, must be kind, open-minded, and be an ally/member of the LGBTQ+ Community.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, or receiving buddy/companion services, please contact Ashley Edwards for more information!