Friends & Co Reconnects Minnesotans with Their Memories of Little Brothers

Four years after its name change, the Minnesota nonprofit is reconnecting with its past and inviting the community to share memories from more than five decades of friendship.

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Nov. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than five decades, Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly Twin Cities brought Minnesotans together through volunteer service, holiday gatherings and lasting friendships. Now known as Friends & Co, the nonprofit is inviting former volunteers, supporters and community members to share memories of their experiences with the organization.

One supporter, Mary D., remembers meeting Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson at a fundraiser and having him sign a copy of Fences. Wilson, who lived in the Twin Cities during the early years of his career, worked as a part-time cook at Little Brothers in the early 1980s.

The memory is among the first shared with Friends & Co as the nonprofit invites Minnesotans to revisit its Little Brothers history. Former volunteers, donors, participants and community members can submit memories and photographs through Nov. 30 at friendsco.org/form2026.

In 2022, the Twin Cities chapter of Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly changed its name to Friends & Co. Four years later, many Minnesotans still haven't connected the two names.

The organization has a simple message: The name has changed. The friendships haven't.

"We know Little Brothers holds a special place in the hearts of many Minnesotans," said Amber Carlson, chief philanthropy officer at Friends & Co. "People remember volunteering, making friends and donating. Those memories are still part of our story, and the work they remember continues today."

More than 50 years of friendship

Founded in 1972, Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly Twin Cities brought older adults and volunteers together through companionship, holiday gatherings, shared meals and community celebrations.

For some longtime supporters, their connection to Little Brothers began with family traditions of faith and generosity.

In 1981, Kevin Filter, owner of Dual Citizen Brewing, asked his father where he should make a charitable donation. Raised in a Catholic family, Filter remembers his father's immediate recommendation: Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly.

"I've been giving every year since then, now to Friends & Co," Filter said. "It's all about the people."

Others remember friendships that shaped their lives.

Former volunteer Carolyn Trevis remembers being matched with Esther, an older adult living in a nursing home who had recently lost her sister and best friend.

Despite experiencing difficult times, Esther never complained. When Trevis asked her why, Esther replied, "What good would it do?"

"She was and remains one of my role models for how to live life," Trevis said.

These memories reflect the relationships and community support that have sustained the organization for more than five decades.

A new name, the same commitment

The 2022 name change reflected the organization's desire for a more welcoming and inclusive identity, one that places friendship at the center of its work.

"These aren't simply relationships where one person helps another," said Carlson. "They're friendships where both people have something valuable to share. Our new name reflects that more clearly."

The brand strategy, logo, and visual identity were developed with Minneapolis-based brand consultancy Franke+Fiorella. The logo and visual identity received a 2022 GDUSA American Graphic Design Award. Fewer than 10% of the competition's more than 10,000 entries nationwide were selected for recognition.

Despite the national design recognition, connecting the Friends & Co name to its decades of community history remains an ongoing effort.

Today, the nonprofit offers free programs that foster meaningful relationships among older adults, including Visiting Companions, Phone Companions, Coffee Talk and community luncheon gatherings.

Sharing memories of Little Brothers

Friends & Co is collecting memories from former volunteers, older adult participants, donors, staff and community members who knew the organization as Little Brothers.

The organization welcomes memories of holiday gatherings, lasting friendships and meaningful experiences from years past. A few sentences are plenty, though longer recollections and photographs are welcome.

Selected memories may be shared on the Friends & Co website and social media to celebrate the organization's history.

Memories and photographs can be submitted through Nov. 30, 2026, at friendsco.org/form2026

About Friends & Co

Formerly known as Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly Twin Cities, Friends & Co is a Minnesota nonprofit dedicated to reducing social isolation and fostering meaningful connections for older adults. Through free companionship programs, phone conversations and community gatherings, Friends & Co creates opportunities for friendship and belonging that enrich lives and strengthen communities.

More information is available at FriendsCo.org.

For media: Several longtime Little Brothers volunteers and supporters are available to share firsthand memories, photographs and stories from the organization's history. Friends & Co can help coordinate interviews and provide historical images upon request.

Media Contact: Paul Cram, marketing & communications manager, Friends & Co (formerly Little Brothers – Friends of the Elderly Twin Cities), [email protected], 612-746-0753

SOURCE Friends & Co (Formerly Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly Twin Cities)