Photo credits: Peter Lyons Hall Neighbors, program volunteers, and elected officials in Group Photo: Standing second from left: Program Director, Donna Mars; back row, wearing blue shirt, Warwick Town Supervisor Jesse Dwyer; to his right, volunteer Chuck Dill; to Dwyer’s left, Village of Warwick Mayor, Michael Newhard; to his left, Town Councilman Kevin Shuback; Town Councilman, Floyd DeAngelo (wearing brown shirt); then seated in front, second from left, JFS staff Gillian Dirr; to her left, Cori Blank, JFS staff.
Peter Lyons Hall
In 2021, at a time when communities across the country were grappling with the lingering isolation brought on by the pandemic, the Town of Warwick took a decisive step to protect one of its most vulnerable populations: its seniors. Under the leadership of then–Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton, and continued with the strong support of Town Supervisor Jesse Dwyer, the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program was launched as a partnership with Jewish Family Service (JFS). What began as a response to a pressing need has grown into a model of community-based care—one that reduces isolation, improves access to essential services, and strengthens the bonds among neighbors, throughout the Town’s three villages and eight hamlets.
The roots of the program trace back to Jewish Family Service, an organization that began in Albany in 1854 and over a century later was designated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 1990. Over the decades, JFS has built partnerships throughout Orange County, serving seniors, adults with disabilities, and families in need. When Warwick officials recognized the mounting challenges faced by older residents—particularly those aging at home without family support—they turned to JFS to help create a structured, compassionate response. But JFS involvement ensures that all faith groups in the community (Christian, Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Evangelical, etc.) as well as non-faith-based participants are served.
“The result was the Warwick Friendly Visitor Program, administered by JFS but contracted and supported by the Town of Warwick,” revealed Donna Mars, Progam Director. “The program’s mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that seniors who wish to age gracefully in their homes are not left alone, disconnected, or without access to basic necessities,” she added.
“At its core, the program pairs volunteers—whom we affectionately call ‘neighbors’—with seniors in need of companionship and assistance. Some seniors require regular social visits to combat loneliness,” said Gillian Dirr, JFS Program Development Manager. “Others need help with grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, or navigating community resources. Volunteers can give as many or as few hours as they wish, making participation flexible and accessible. There is no rigid time commitment; whether a volunteer can offer a few hours a month or as many as 50, every contribution matters.” said Dirr.
The impact of this flexibility has been significant. Today, the program has approximately 100 individuals signed up, with 80 active volunteers, and it continues to grow exponentially. Organizers are actively seeking more volunteers and more seniors who may benefit from participation. The program thrives on its symbiotic nature: the more neighbors who volunteer, the more seniors can be supported.
Cori Blank, JFS staff member, believes that isolation among seniors is not merely an emotional concern; it is a public health issue. Studies consistently show that chronic loneliness can increase the risk of depression, cognitive decline, heart disease, and even premature death. “In suburban and rural communities like Warwick, where public transportation options are limited and family members may live far away, seniors can easily become homebound. A missed ride to the grocery store or a canceled doctor’s appointment can quickly spiral into food insecurity or untreated medical conditions,” she said.
The Friendly Visitor Program directly addresses these risks.
One particularly innovative aspect of the program is its integration with adults with disabilities who participate in local day programs. These individuals shop for homebound seniors based on grocery lists provided by the seniors themselves and then deliver the food. This arrangement does more than meet a practical need—it fosters inclusion and mutual dignity. Adults with disabilities are not simply service recipients; they become active contributors to the well-being of the community. Seniors, in turn, receive not only groceries but meaningful human interaction.
Transportation to medical appointments is another critical service. Many seniors cancel appointments simply because they lack a ride. Recognizing this barrier, the program has launched a new outreach initiative. When a volunteer drives a senior to a medical appointment, the volunteer may provide the doctor’s office with a card identifying the Friendly Visitor Program. The message is clear: this patient is here today because of community support.
This small but powerful gesture serves two purposes. First, it highlights the role of volunteers in enabling access to healthcare. Second, it acts as organic outreach. If medical staff encounter patients who frequently cancel due to transportation challenges, they now have a direct line to the program. Warwick has even established a dedicated phone line at Town Hall [845-986-1124 ext. 400] to coordinate services and referrals, ensuring that help is only a call away.
Beyond companionship and transportation, participation in the program opens doors to a broader network of services. Because the Friendly Visitor Program is supported by the Orange County Office for the Aging, seniors who enroll may also access counseling, case management, and additional supportive services. What begins as a friendly visit can evolve into comprehensive support tailored to an individual’s needs.
Outreach remains a central priority. Much of the program’s growth has come through word of mouth and active community engagement. An outreach coordinator attends local events, sets up information tables at churches and senior gatherings, and spreads awareness throughout Warwick and surrounding areas. Volunteers often discover the program after retirement, looking for meaningful ways to give back. Others learn about it while attending community events or through friends already involved.
One volunteer, for example, first encountered the program at a county senior event after retiring from a career in marine geology. Drawn by the opportunity to remain active and engaged, he signed up—illustrating how the program not only supports seniors but also enriches the lives of those who serve. “I attended the Town’s annual senior BBQ at the Town park,” recalled Chuck Dill, “and there was a signup sheet there. I had recently retired and was interested in helping out where I could. They needed drivers and so I volunteered. Now I take a neighbor to medical treatments in Goshen on a fairly regular basis and we have grown to depend upon one another in the process.”
Reciprocal approach benefits all participants
That reciprocal benefit is central to the program’s philosophy. Organizers intentionally refer to both participants and volunteers as “neighbors.” The terminology reflects a belief that care is not transactional; it is relational. In a time when many communities feel fragmented, the Friendly Visitor Program reaffirms Warwick’s identity as a town where people look out for one another.
The leadership of Town Supervisor Dwyer has been instrumental in sustaining this initiative. By recognizing the growing needs of the senior population and committing Town resources to address them, Warwick’s administration has demonstrated that local government can play a meaningful role in combating social isolation. And the continued support of the Villages Mayors, like Village of Warwick’s Michael Newhard, Florida NY Mayor Harter, and Greenwood Lake Howley, signals to residents that caring for seniors is not an afterthought—it is a civic priority.
“As Warwick’s population continues to age, programs like this will only become more essential. The desire to ‘age in place’—to remain in one’s own home rather than relocate to assisted living—is strong among older adults. Yet aging in place requires a support system. Without family nearby, that support must come from the broader community,” remarked Supervisor Dwyer. At this event the support from sponsors in the broader community included ShopRite, Price Chopper, Newhard’s the Home Source, Vincent of Warwick Hair Salon, Hudson Valley Event Group, and Orange County New York Office of the Aging. Generous portions of food and beverages as well as goodie bags ensured that all the attendees would have fond memories of the event. There was even a photo booth and a DJ to commemorate the good will that had been established among neighbors and volunteers.
The Friendly Visitor Program provides a structure through which compassion becomes organized, reliable, and sustainable. Its value cannot be measured solely in the number of grocery deliveries made or rides provided. It is reflected in quieter moments—a senior who feels remembered, a volunteer who forms a new friendship, a medical appointment kept instead of canceled, a sense of dignity preserved.
In Warwick, the Friendly Visitor Program stands as a testament to what can happen when municipal leadership, nonprofit expertise, and volunteer spirit converge. It reduces isolation. It improves access to care. It fosters inclusion. And perhaps most importantly, it reminds everyone involved that community is not an abstract concept—it is built one neighbor at a time. To learn more about this program click on https://townofwarwickny.gov/friendly-visitor-program/.
