Communications
Stacks Image 1198

Hi, I'm Laurie Van Beek

Welcome to the Friends at the Lake website. My name is Laurie Van Beek, and I am the Director of the program. Creating Friends at the Lake has been a wonderful adventure—one that has grown in ways I could only have hoped for.

To caregivers, I want you to know this: you are not alone. We can help. In a recent caregiver survey, 92% reported being highly satisfied with our program.

At Friends at the Lake, we offer meaningful activities that nurture identity, connection, security, autonomy, purpose, growth, and—above all—joy. While your loved one is engaged in these enriching experiences, caregivers are given the gift of four hours to rest, recharge, or simply take care of themselves.

We invite you to join us and become part of the Friends at the Lake community.
Video's by Laurie Van Beek

VIDEO'S TO WATCH

Forms by Laurie Van Beek

OUR FORMS

Background Check Authorization (BCAF)
Volunteer Emergency Contact & Photography Release (VEC)

These downloads are not encoded or passworded.
They are designed to be mailed or handed in.

Volunteer Testimonials
"I enjoy our Friends and the other volunteers.  I like to see how much fun the activities are for everyone."
“I started volunteering because I have family members with dementia living out of state. This was a way to connect with what my family is going through when I cannot be with them. But I continue "volunteering" with quotes around it because it is so much fun. We all have such a good time!”
"I originally planned to volunteer once a month, but after the first time, I just kept going back every week. It's the one day of the week that I can count on having fun and laughing a lot with the friends I've made there."
"It has been great seeing the changes in some of the Friends!  Some came in so reserved but are now very at ease with us and are engaged in the activities.  Chatting with them and reminiscing is always interesting too, hearing about their occupations and families.  And it's always fun when you get a laugh out of them!  It's just so rewarding knowing I'm having an impact on their caregiver's life and, hopefully, theirs too!"
"I enjoy interacting with the “Friends” each week and am impressed in how their participation in activities has grown." 
"Why did I initially volunteer for "Friends?" - Because I thought it was an important service.   Being a caregiver is a demanding, sometimes overwhelming responsibility.  Caregivers deserve a few hours off - to get groceries, have coffee with a friend, or just take a well-deserved break.  "Why do I come back each week?" - because I like the people.  Everyone is a unique character with a unique personality.  They make me smile; they make me laugh and make my day/week brighter."
"One of my thoughts about volunteering for friends at the lake is that I can do it when it fits my schedule; I’m welcomed when I’m available but of course can also be gone when I need to be elsewhere." 
"I enjoy our Friends and the other volunteers. I like to see how much fun the activities are for everyone" 
"I started volunteering because I have family members with dementia living out of state. This was a way to connect with what my family is going through when I cannot be with them. But I continue "volunteering" with quotes around it because it is so much fun. We all have su=ch a good time".
“I originally planned to volunteer once a month, but after the first time, I just kept going back every week. It's the one day of the week that I can count on having fun and laughing a lot with the friends I've made there.”
“It has been great seeing the changes in some of the Friends!  Some came in so reserved but are now very at ease with us and are engaged in the activities.  Chatting with them and reminiscing is always interesting too, hearing about their occupations and families.  And it's always fun when you get a laugh out of them!  It's just so rewarding knowing I'm having an impact on their caregiver's life and, hopefully, theirs too!”
“I enjoy interacting with the “Friends” each week and am impressed in how their participation in activities has grown”
"All of the enjoyable activities, I believe the coffee time is the activity I like the best. The time spent visiting puts smiles on all of those gathered at the tables. I especially enjoy watching the change in the friends from being apprehensive to being active participants in the conversation. We have had many new friends go from wondering when their caregivers will be back, to laughing or joining in conversations."
Why did I initially volunteer for "Friends?" - Because I thought it was an important service.   Being a caregiver is a demanding, sometimes overwhelming responsibility.  Caregivers deserve a few hours off - to get groceries, have coffee with a friend, or just take a well-deserved break.  "Why do I come back each week?" - because I like the people.  Everyone is a unique character with a unique personality.  They make me smile; they make me laugh and make my day/week brighter”
This is an intense headline of some awesome news
Documents by Laurie Van Beek

NOTHING HERE YET

Stacks Image 1156

Hi, I'm Laurie Van Beek

Welcome to the Friends at the Lake website. My name is Laurie Van Beek, and I am the Director of the program. Creating Friends at the Lake has been a wonderful adventure—one that has grown in ways I could only have hoped for.

To caregivers, I want you to know this: you are not alone. We can help. In a recent caregiver survey, 92% reported being highly satisfied with our program.

At Friends at the Lake, we offer meaningful activities that nurture identity, connection, security, autonomy, purpose, growth, and—above all—joy. While your loved one is engaged in these enriching experiences, caregivers are given the gift of four hours to rest, recharge, or simply take care of themselves.

We invite you to join us and become part of the Friends at the Lake community.

Video's by Laurie Van Beek
Forms by Laurie Van Beek

OUR FORMS

Background Check Authorization (BCAF)
Volunteer Emergency Contact & Photography Release (VEC)

These downloads are not encoded or passworded.
They are designed to be mailed or handed in.

Volunteer Testimonials
"I enjoy our Friends and the other volunteers.  I like to see how much fun the activities are for everyone."
“I started volunteering because I have family members with dementia living out of state. This was a way to connect with what my family is going through when I cannot be with them. But I continue "volunteering" with quotes around it because it is so much fun. We all have such a good time!”
"I originally planned to volunteer once a month, but after the first time, I just kept going back every week. It's the one day of the week that I can count on having fun and laughing a lot with the friends I've made there."
"It has been great seeing the changes in some of the Friends!  Some came in so reserved but are now very at ease with us and are engaged in the activities.  Chatting with them and reminiscing is always interesting too, hearing about their occupations and families.  And it's always fun when you get a laugh out of them!  It's just so rewarding knowing I'm having an impact on their caregiver's life and, hopefully, theirs too!"
"I enjoy interacting with the “Friends” each week and am impressed in how their participation in activities has grown." 
"Why did I initially volunteer for "Friends?" - Because I thought it was an important service.   Being a caregiver is a demanding, sometimes overwhelming responsibility.  Caregivers deserve a few hours off - to get groceries, have coffee with a friend, or just take a well-deserved break.  "Why do I come back each week?" - because I like the people.  Everyone is a unique character with a unique personality.  They make me smile; they make me laugh and make my day/week brighter."
"One of my thoughts about volunteering for friends at the lake is that I can do it when it fits my schedule; I’m welcomed when I’m available but of course can also be gone when I need to be elsewhere." 
"I enjoy our Friends and the other volunteers. I like to see how much fun the activities are for everyone" 
"I started volunteering because I have family members with dementia living out of state. This was a way to connect with what my family is going through when I cannot be with them. But I continue "volunteering" with quotes around it because it is so much fun. We all have su=ch a good time".
“I originally planned to volunteer once a month, but after the first time, I just kept going back every week. It's the one day of the week that I can count on having fun and laughing a lot with the friends I've made there.”
“It has been great seeing the changes in some of the Friends!  Some came in so reserved but are now very at ease with us and are engaged in the activities.  Chatting with them and reminiscing is always interesting too, hearing about their occupations and families.  And it's always fun when you get a laugh out of them!  It's just so rewarding knowing I'm having an impact on their caregiver's life and, hopefully, theirs too!”
“I enjoy interacting with the “Friends” each week and am impressed in how their participation in activities has grown”
"All of the enjoyable activities, I believe the coffee time is the activity I like the best. The time spent visiting puts smiles on all of those gathered at the tables. I especially enjoy watching the change in the friends from being apprehensive to being active participants in the conversation. We have had many new friends go from wondering when their caregivers will be back, to laughing or joining in conversations."
Why did I initially volunteer for "Friends?" - Because I thought it was an important service.   Being a caregiver is a demanding, sometimes overwhelming responsibility.  Caregivers deserve a few hours off - to get groceries, have coffee with a friend, or just take a well-deserved break.  "Why do I come back each week?" - because I like the people.  Everyone is a unique character with a unique personality.  They make me smile; they make me laugh and make my day/week brighter”
This is an intense headline of some awesome news
Documents by Laurie Van Beek

NOTHING HERE YET