VOLUNTEER
DONATE
ELDER REFERRAL

ALLEVIATING LONELINESS FOR OUR FORGOTTEN ELDERLY

​Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is a non-profit, volunteer-based 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 celebration of life

GET INVOLVED

Help The Cause

Spread Thanksgiving & Christmas Cheer!

This holiday season, Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is bringing warmth, joy, and connection to our elders. We’ll be delivering 180 holiday meals on both Thanksgiving and Christmas and sharing 550 personal Christmas gifts with local elders—and we can’t do it without you!
Here’s how you can help:

  • Volunteer to deliver meals on Thanksgiving and/or Christmas
  • Donate turkey breasts, sides, or pies (Thanksgiving donations due by Nov. 24)
  • Contribute financially to support meals and gifts
  • Sponsor an elder: Be a Secret Santa and shop from an elder’s wish list (items in the $25 range)
  • Spread the word so more elders can feel remembered and loved

Together, we can make sure no elder is alone this holiday season.

We Change Your Life & World

We Provide social support for the elderly

Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly serves lonely and isolated elderly in the United States.

For many, isolation comes with growing older. Children move away, a car wears out and is not replaced, or a driver's license is surrendered. This isolation is compounded by poverty.

By visiting, socializing, and offering programs that promote independent living, we strive to meet the emotional and physical needs of our elderly friends. Our programs combat loneliness and help our elderly friends know they are valued and loved.

Our History

Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is a non-profit, volunteer-based 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 celebration of life.

Our history dates back to the mid 1900s with Armand Marquiset of France. Our mission in Greater Cincinnati began in 1996. Each year, LBFE serves hundreds of Tri–state elderly through outreach programs, all designed to relieve isolation and loneliness among the elderly and to assist them in living quality lives.

​Headquartered near Mt. Airy Forest, the Cincinnati chapter serves elderly in over 90 communities across Hamilton and Clermont counties. We currently have more than 450 elderly in our network who we assist in some manner.

DONATE

Savoring Stories

Savoring Stories was a heartwarming virtual event honoring the lives, wisdom, and experiences of the elders in our community. Through powerful storytelling, guests heard directly from our elderly friends — Ella, Darla, and Beverley — who shared their personal journeys, joys, and reflections.

The event highlighted the importance of companionship and the meaningful relationships fostered through Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly.

A heartfelt thank you to Mary, everyone behind the scenes, and a special shoutout to Ella, Darla, and Beverley for sharing their beautiful stories with us.Your voices inspire and uplift us all.

Other Upcoming Events

No posts found!

See All Events

Join us in our mission to bring friendship and joy to the lives of the elderly in Greater Cincinnati!

No one should have to experience the pain of loneliness and isolation, especially in their golden years.
Volunteer Now!
Donate Now!

Meet Our Staff

Ja’Lah Willingham

Executive Director

Ja’Lah Willingham joins Little Brothers Friends of The Elderly as Executive Director. She comes to the position with 10+ years’ of nonprofit experience from a number of organizations including – Public Allies Cincinnati, Public Allies National, The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, and most recently, Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH & Northern KY. Ja’Lah brings a wealth of knowledge in volunteer management, fundraising, team building, senior advocacy, and organizational and program development.

​

Outside of the nonprofit sector Ja’Lah is also a proud Xavier Musketeer, Association of Fundraising Professionals Committee Member, Vistage Emerging Leader, and mother of two girls, Jayne and Joy. Ja’Lah enjoys trying new local restaurants and entertainment, fishing, spending time with family,  and dreaming of opportunities for improvement.

Dawn Carlson

Assistant Director

Dawn joined the Little Brothers – friends of the elderly community in the summer of 23 as a volunteer with her two children.  Dawn brings a passion for volunteerism as well as skills as a Creative Leader and Solution Seeker. She likes to recognize and cultivate the potential in others and brings a wealth of Design and communication experience with her.  

Volunteer experience: Meals on Wheels, Keep Cincinnati Beautiful, Cincinnati Animal Care, Hoxworth Blood drives and Big Brother, Big Sisters.

Tynesha Brown

Development Coordinator

Tynesha Brown brings nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising to her role as Development Coordinator at Little Brothers–Friends of the Elderly. With a strong background in donor relations, campaign strategy, grant writing, and event planning, she is passionate about building meaningful connections that drive impact.
Tynesha has a proven track record of managing successful fundraising initiatives and creating engaging content that inspires community support. Her expertise in database management and strategic development helps ensure that every effort is both mission-aligned and results-driven.
For Tynesha, nonprofit development is more than a career—it’s a calling. She is deeply committed to serving others and believes in the power of compassion, collaboration, and purpose-driven work to transform lives.
Harrison Grisez

Administrative Coordinator

Harrison first joined Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly as a volunteer, where he quickly found a deep appreciation for the wisdom and warmth shared by the older adults we serve. Inspired by these relationships, he officially joined the LBFE team in January and began working full-time in May. In his role as Administrative Coordinator, Harrison supports the day-to-day operations that help bring companionship and connection to isolated older adults across Cincinnati.

Harrison graduated from Xavier University with a degree in psychology and a minor in philosophy, studies that deepened his interest in the human experience and the complexities of aging. He hopes to become a counselor for older adults and their families, helping them navigate life transitions and challenges related to aging. He feels privileged to be part of an organization that values not only meeting physical needs but also nurturing dignity, joy, and friendship at every stage of life.

Outside of work, Harrison enjoys spending time outdoors, reading the classics, and riding his bike around the parks in Cincinnati.

Board of Directors

mia sears

Board President

Jack Henn

Board Member

BILL HERRING

Board Member

Carrie E. Russell

Board Member

Mary Day

Board Member

Elizabeth Bangel-Stehlin

Board Member

International Federation

(513) 542-7555

cincinnati@littlebrothers.org

5530 Colerain Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45239

Jki-facebook-f Jki-instagram-line Linkedin

Get to know LBFE

Fundraising Events

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Scroll to Top