For former actor, Richard Klein, his cell phone has become his lifeline. After working years in the film industry, he is now in retirement and caring for his sick wife and doesn't have time to meet new people.
But now, his phone is connecting him to Matthew Won, a young man who volunteers through the Motion Picture and Television Fund for its program called the Daily Call Sheet.
"We speak 3 to 4 times a week and it's like having a built in psychiatrist," said Klein. "You talk, get everything out of your system. You don't have to go into the backyard to scream anymore. To me, it's the best thing that ever happened."
The Daily Call Sheet connects seniors to other film industry members, to give them the social connection they need. Dr. Scott Kaiser established the Daily Call Sheet as a way to harness the good that comes together when people connect.
"It's thought that social isolation, a lack of meaningful social connection or chronic loneliness can shave about 8 years off someone's life," said Kaiser. "That's the beauty of it. It's not rocket science. It's about finding a way to help people connect in a safe and caring way."
But the benefit is mutual. Many of the volunteers, who are older, are industry members as well, and the volunteers are benefiting just as much as the call recipients.
"The best part is them looking forward to talk to me," said Norma Parro, a former film technician at Technicolor and volunteer at the Daily Call Sheet. "I like that. I'm sorry, but I do, and I'm very happy to talk to them."
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The relationship between the caller and recipient can grow outside of volunteer work, with one volunteer Noelle Bellinghausen saying her life has been changed from one simple phone call.
"I think that Miss Linda has really impacted my life in a great way," said Bellinghausen. "You [Miss Linda] are so supportive, and loving and you give great advice."
