Building Connections. Strengthening Communities.

The Friendship Bench Initiative is a community-based mental wellness and support program designed to reduce stigma, increase access to trusted information, and create welcoming spaces for conversation and connection. Through partnerships with local organizations, trained volunteers, and community leaders, Friendship Benches serve as visible reminders that no one has to navigate life's challenges alone.

The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System is proud to share this toolkit with libraries, community organizations, schools, faith-based groups, municipalities, and nonprofits interested in bringing a Friendship Bench program to their own communities.

About the Friendship Bench Initiative

A Friendship Bench is a designated, welcoming space where community members can pause, reflect, connect with others, and access trusted resources. Depending on local needs, Friendship Benches can be paired with:

The model is designed to strengthen community connection while helping reduce barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking support.

What This Toolkit Includes

The Friendship Bench Initiative Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance for planning, launching, evaluating, and sustaining a local Friendship Bench program.

Program Planning & Development

Bench Placement & Community Partnerships

Volunteer Recruitment & Training

Program Delivery

Communications & Outreach

Evaluation & Reporting

Sustainability Resources

All evaluation and reporting tools are designed around non-identifying data collection and participant privacy.

Designed for Replication

This toolkit was intentionally created to be adaptable and replicable. Organizations can customize local contacts, locations, schedules, and partnerships while maintaining the core principles that make the Friendship Bench model effective:

The toolkit includes both a public-facing community packet and an internal operations and implementation guide to support organizations from planning through launch.

Program Principals

The Friendship Bench Initiative is:
✅ A community support and connection program
✅ A welcoming, stigma-reducing space
✅ A pathway to trusted resources and information
The Friendship Bench Initiative is not:
❌ Therapy
❌ Medical treatment
❌ Emergency crisis intervention

If someone is experiencing a mental health emergency, they should call or text 988 or call 911.

Why Libraries?

Libraries are uniquely positioned to serve as trusted community hubs. Through the Friendship Bench Initiative, libraries can extend their role as connectors, educators, and conveners while creating meaningful opportunities for conversation, belonging, and support.

For rural communities especially, Friendship Benches provide a simple, visible, and affordable way to strengthen community well-being and connect residents with trusted resources.

Download the Toolkit!

This toolkit was developed through the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System's Friendship Bench Initiative to help libraries and community organizations create practical, sustainable programs that promote connection, reduce stigma, and improve access to trusted resources.

This toolkit is provided free of charge for educational and community use.

Friendship Bench Initiative Community Toolkit (PDF)

Need Help Getting Started?

If your organization is interested in launching a Friendship Bench Initiative and would like to learn more about the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System's experience, we would be happy to share what we've learned.

Please contact:

Wil'Lani Turner
Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System
662-329-5297
wturner@lowndes.lib.ms.us

Building Connections. Strengthening Communities.

About the Friendship Bench Initiative

A Friendship Bench is a designated, welcoming space where community members can pause, reflect, connect with others, and access trusted resources. Depending on local needs, Friendship Benches can be paired with:

Community conversations

Mental wellness workshops

Volunteer-led peer support

Resource sharing and referrals

Library and community programming

​

The model is designed to strengthen community connection while helping reduce barriers that often prevent individuals from seeking support.

What This Toolkit Includes

The Friendship Bench Initiative Toolkit provides step-by-step guidance for planning, launching, evaluating, and sustaining a local Friendship Bench program.

​

Program Planning & Development

Program model overview

Governance structure

Staff and volunteer roles

Implementation roadmap

90-day pilot planning process

​

Bench Placement & Community Partnerships

Site selection criteria

Bench placement scoring tools

Partner outreach guidance

Pilot site recommendations

Sustainability planning

​

Volunteer Recruitment & Training

Volunteer role descriptions

Screening recommendations

Training outlines

Active listening guidance

Safety and escalation procedures

​

Program Delivery

Community conversation models

Mental wellness education sessions

Youth-focused programming

Volunteer training workshops

Sample program structures

​

Communications & Outreach

Marketing guidance

Promotional templates

Community messaging standards

Partnership communications

​

Evaluation & Reporting

Evaluation framework

Bench session tracking tools

Data management standards

Event summaries

Quarterly reporting templates

​

Sustainability Resources

Sponsorship strategies

Community partnership models

Long-term program planning

Replication guidance for new sites

​

All evaluation and reporting tools are designed around non-identifying data collection and participant privacy.

Designed for Replication

This toolkit was intentionally created to be adaptable and replicable. Organizations can customize local contacts, locations, schedules, and partnerships while maintaining the core principles that make the Friendship Bench model effective:

Community connection

Trusted information

Volunteer support

Clear safety boundaries

Respect for participant privacy

​

The toolkit includes both a public-facing community packet and an internal operations and implementation guide to support organizations from planning through launch.

Program Principals

Why Libraries?

Libraries are uniquely positioned to serve as trusted community hubs. Through the Friendship Bench Initiative, libraries can extend their role as connectors, educators, and conveners while creating meaningful opportunities for conversation, belonging, and support.

​

For rural communities especially, Friendship Benches provide a simple, visible, and affordable way to strengthen community well-being and connect residents with trusted resources.

Download the Toolkit!

Need Help Getting Started?

If your organization is interested in launching a Friendship Bench Initiative and would like to learn more about the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System's experience, we would be happy to share what we've learned.

​

Wil'Lani Turner
Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System
662-329-5297
wturner@lowndes.lib.ms.us