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Friendship Heights Neighbors Network
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Meet Our Members

FHNN Members are special people. They've lived long, productive lives and have many ongoing interests.

We invite you to read their stories and get to know the amazing people of FHNN.
No senior should have to grow old alone.

Amelia & Skip: Together, Always

Amelia and Skip (Leonard) have shared a lifetime of adventures. Skip had a career handling business transactions around the world, while Amelia spent years with the World Bank followed by success as a fashion designer. They traveled everywhere, embracing each new culture and filling every home with her signature elegance. Their love is quiet, steady, and deep—a love that has weathered decades of change.

Preparing for retirement, they downsized from a large home into an apartment in Friendship Heights years ago—a home and neighborhood they grew to cherish. However, increased aging brought new challenges.

Now in their 90s, they began struggling with balance, and falls became frequent and frightening. With no children to help, they were worried how they would manage in the home they loved.

That’s when Friendship Heights Neighbors Network stepped in. Several volunteers who live in their building now check in regularly. FHNN provided rides for Amelia to visit Skip at rehab when he needed help with his balance and other problems. Volunteers also drive her to the hair appointment she goes to each week to maintain her elegance and style.

Today, Amelia and Skip still live together in the home they cherish. Skip watches Amelia with quiet love, and Amelia, elegant and chatty as always, throws regular dinner parties.

Thanks to FHNN, they are not only safe—they are thriving.

 

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“We are so grateful for the support of FHNN volunteers. We love our home and want to stay together in it as long as possible.”
—Amelia


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Mari: An Artist at 92

Mari proves the adage that it's never too late to learn. At the age of 74, Mari decided to fill her time by teaching herself to make art. Her home is now filled with her beautiful paintings, which burst with color and humor.

Mari has no immediate family in the area, so FHNN helps her stay safe and connected at home. Problems with mobility often keep her indoors, so we send volunteers to her home for social visits and others give her rides to doctors' appointments.

A natural talker, Mari loves the new social connections she has made. She jokingly calls two of her regular male drivers “her boyfriends.” One even brought her chicken soup when she was recovering from an illness. And if you’re lucky, she may invite you to one of her special teas!


A collage by Mari

 

“I love you guys! I couldn’t get by without you.”
—Mari


Zsuzsanna: Crafting Connections

From navigating a new life in America after emigrating from Hungary to organizing a busy life with career and children, Zsuzsanna has always been resilient. In retirement, she faced new challenges. Companionship from work was gone, and she worried about getting to doctors' appointments without bothering her busy family now that she's in her 80s.

That's where we came in. FHNN connected Zsuzsanna with a nearby volunteer who speaks fluent Hungarian(!). They now meet regularly for visits, sharing stories and laughter in Zsuzsanna's native language.

Her connections don't stop there. She’s a regular at our social events, and she also received advice on a crocheting project from members of our Crafts & Chat group—a blanket she was making for her granddaughter. With FHNN, Zsuzsanna can focus on the parts of life that bring her joy, instead of worrying about the future.
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“I am a very social person. I enjoy my get-togethers with FHNN volunteers very much.”
—Zsuzsanna