# New program encourages forgoing phones to help forge friendships

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/connections-podcast-736335/new-program-encourages-forgoing-phones-to-help-forge-friendships
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/connections-podcast-736335/new-program-encourages-forgoing-phones-to-help-forge-friendships.md
Podcast: [Connections Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/connections-podcast-736335)
Published: 2026-05-12T18:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://play.prx.org/listen?ge=prx_11479_acdfd4d3-69b8-4b4e-a5bb-ff36262f2746&uf=https%3A%2F%2Fpublicfeeds.net%2Ff%2F11479%2Ffeed-rss.xml
Audio file: https://dovetail.prxu.org/11479/acdfd4d3-69b8-4b4e-a5bb-ff36262f2746/Connections-Tuesday-Hr2-5.12.26.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/connections-podcast-736335/episodes/new-program-encourages-forgoing-phones-to-help-forge-friendships
Duration seconds: 3081

## Resource

Scroll less, connect more." That's advice from Compeer Rochester. The nonprofit launched a new program to help volunteers and community members spend less time on screens, build real-life friendships, and reduce social isolation. We talk with the organizers of the program and people who have benefited from it. In studio: Sara Passamonte, CEO of Compeer Rochester Jerry Grimshaw, youth engagement specialist at Compeer Rochester Stefan Hurd, youth and family engagement specialist at Compeer Rochester Adam Bellave, volunteer with the "Scroll Less, Connect More" program at Compeer Rochester Dan Ofsowitz, participant in the "Scroll Less, Connect More" program at Compeer Rochester --- Connections is supported by listeners like you. Head to our donation page to become a WXXI member today, support the show, and help us close the gap created by the rescission of federal funding. --- Connections airs every weekday from noon-2 p.m. Join the conversation with questions or comments by phone at 1-844-295-TALK (8255) or 585-263-9994, email , Facebook or Twitter . Connections is also livestreamed on the WXXI News YouTube channel each day. You can watch live or access previous episodes here . --- Do you have a story that needs to be shared? Pitch your story to Connections .

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