Where service to the elderly
begins by being a friend

Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is a national network of non-profit, volunteer-based organizations committed to relieving isolation and loneliness among the elderly. We offer to people of good will the opportunities to join the elderly in friendship and the celebration of life.

Our services are free of charge to the elderly.

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A Brief History of Little Brothers

We were founded in Paris, France, in 1946. The Allies had just liberated the country after years of war. The farms were destroyed, families were broken up, children killed in battle.

Armand Marquiset was inspired to improve this desperate situation. He began alone, sheltering the homeless elderly, bringing meals and clothing to them. He noticed, however, that material goods were not the only things they lacked.

Birthdays went unnoticed, and Christmas Day was celebrated alone. The family get togethers and observances we take for granted were not a part of their lives. Mr. Marquiset found not just a poverty of material things, but a poverty of the spirit.

He was inspired to create an opportunity for ordinary people to discover, express, and develop their gifts for helping and loving others. He called this opportunity "Little Brothers".

From this modest beginning his vision was to spread this organization to as many people and places as possible. "I saw Little Brothers spreading across the earth igniting little fires of love," he said.

Today, in fulfillment of this vision, thousands of Little Brothers' volunteers bring love and service to elderly people. Our mission is being carried out in eight chapters in the, and in eight other countries.

Little Brothers was brought to the United States in 1959, in Chicago. Chapters in Boston and Minneapolis were founded, and this chapter, in Houghton County in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, started its service in 1982. Here, through the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, we have continued the tradition of making friendship the foundation of everything we do. For us, service to the elderly begins by being a friend.