You & Amigo had its origins in about 2018, when co-founder Rob Henderson was looking for opportunities for his elderly mother to forge some new and refreshing social connections.
Gloria Henderson, Rob’s mother, had recently moved into a new retirement and convalescent home and Rob was concerned that there were not adequate social connections being made for his mother at the retirement home to keep her engaged, and mentally active and to help her pass her time there more enjoyably.
To see what could be found and to ensure his mother’s privacy and security be prioritized, Rob did some research online and to his disappointment and surprise found there was almost no way to find and forge some new connections online or otherwise for his mother.
After much searching, Rob shared the frustration with his son Scott who was also motivated to help find a solution for his grandmother.
Finally, they were able to find a couple of local people who were interested in spending some time with Rob’s mother, but they were still concerned about her privacy and security as they had no real way to screen them except for personal references.
Shortly after Rob’s mother passed in early 2020, the pandemic struck around the world.
It opened up, out of necessity, a new virtual world of possibility for the creation of a safe, secure, private, and reliable service that could rise out of this new technology and be a real benefit to people like Rob’s mom and Scott’s grandma.
After pitching the idea to his son, Scott, the two decided to embark upon the creation of just such a service, and You & Amigo was born.
A Quebec native and science (Biology) graduate, Rob has split his 35 year career largely between the public and private sectors.
He put himself through University working at the Ottawa General Hospital, where his empathy for elderly, infirm and isolated individuals was kindled.
Working later in the not-for-profit and private sectors in community advocacy and news and communications, all with an active social consciousness, Rob embraced the innovation and potential that disruptive technology like the internet, social media brought to the world and to ease isolation of the most at-risk citizens.
Priding himself with employing best practices in managing the teams at his workplaces, the companies Rob has worked at during his career have won several awards as Best in practice workplaces.
Rob is the father of two grown sons, one of which has Special Needs which gives Rob a deeply personal stake and experience with the need for gratifying and frequent social interaction, especially for those in our society that are disadvantage and most at-risk.
A native of Ottawa, Ontario by way of Gatineau. Quebec. Growing up, Scott got into volunteer work early, volunteering at the Shepherd's of Good Hope to serve food one holiday. This spurred the action Scott took to join a local social group for teenagers his age with Autism. This exposure gave Scott a deep connection to the idea of how social life deeply impacts how one lives life, and how empowering everyone with more social stimulation can open more doors in life and lead to a happier life overall.
Before his start in the corporate world, Scott gained many years of exposure to socialization from a professional and personal standpoint, in his many roles in customer service, as well as growing into a more extroverted adult.
Additionally, Scott is very close with both his grandmother, Elaine, and was close with his Grandmother, Gloria. Seeing this opportunity to start a business that not only fills a desperately needed service in the world but also provides a social good that relates especially to him, made all too much sense to get on board.
Scott hopes that You & Amigo not only helps provide a social space for each and every client, but also provides a sense of fulfillment and joy from the Amigo's who get the opportunity to meet all sorts of great people.
We connect people in need of company to helpful pleasant individuals in a safe environment, wherever and whenever.
No more lonely people