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Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering allows caring people to have a positive impact on others through service while reaping the personal rewards of giving. Volunteers are natural role models to family, friends and community.

Jewish Family Service volunteer opportunities vary and can be tailored to your skills and interests.

If you'd like to help, are willing to make a time commitment, and agree to work within our guidelines, we will wholeheartedly welcome you as a community volunteer!

Our volunteer program has grown to include over 75 volunteers!
Join us!

Milt Hess computer tutorHere are some specific areas in which you might distinguish yourself as a volunteer (see descriptions below):

  • Visiting the Isolated or Homebound
  • Transportation Assistance
  • Schmooze Room Assistance
  • Big Buddy Program
  • Office Assistance
  • General Assistance
Feb. 17, 2010 Schmooze Crew Brunch Meeting
2/17/10 Schmooze Crew Brunch Meeting
L-R: Coordinator of Volunteers Harriet Marx, Israel Yaniv, Wendy Paley (standing), Rocky Jacobson, Maria Segal, Chef David Gonzalez, Dee Miko.  Not pictured:  Barbara Primeau and Helga Carden.
Ben Murphy
Ben Murphy provided invaluable help by hanging art for Art at the JCC exhibits, as well as painting some of the JCC offices.
A Little Buddy with her Big Buddy
A Little Buddy with her Big Buddy
Volunteers
Volunteers gather regularly for fun and informative lunch meetings. (l-r, standing): Volunteers Shirley Lehrer, Barbara Krantz, Helga Carden, Maria Segal, Evelyn Kert, and Tamar Prager; front, JFS Coordinator of Volunteers Harriet Marx.

Volunteer Luncheon 7-2010

Volunteer Lunch Oct. 2009

Volunteer Lunch, June 2009
Volunteer Lunch, June 2009

These programs are made possible by generous donations to the
Federation's Annual Campaign.

Mentorships

Mentor Training
Volunteers helping at-risk youth.
Wed., Sept. 22, 9 am-12:30 pm
Read about the Mis Tres Caras Program
For information contact:
805.957.1115 or corin@sbjf.org

What Our Volunteers Say:

Dabrina Koehn

Volunteer Dabrina Koehn is making the JCC Library more user-friendly. Building on the efforts of past volunteers, Dabrina created user directions and reorganized the shelves. She is setting up an ongoing book sale to raise funds for supplies. Dabrina feels a connection to her work. "Entering the library," she says, "there was a thrill of hearing the far-off voices in the history of Jews and Judaism. The library's literal location in the corner of the building became the metaphorical cornerstone of Jewish culture that initially drew me to Federation."

Tamar Prager"Being a Volunteer Visitor has truly enriched my life. I will forever be changed by the people I have grown to care about and the relationships that have developed. Giving to those in need gives back. Volunteering has now become a way of life: it's a gift like none other."
     --Tamar Prager

Shirley Lehrer"Being a Volunteer Visitor has been as rewarding for me as for the person I visit. After visiting, I feel elated as I know I have done a good thing for the lady I visit as I have done for myself. I then look forward to my next visit."
    --Shirley Lehrer

Chris Breen"Working at the JCC under you was a wonderful experience with an EXTREMELY friendly atmosphere....  Thank you so much for the opportunity."
    --Chris Breen

"On Super Sunday one of the questions we were asked was why we were volunteering. I had the word 'contribution' in my mind. I have since thought about the question and know that volunteering is an 'opportunity to give with an open heart.' My heart keeps opening up more and more and I am grateful!"
    --Karen Raders 

"Being a Caring Visitor is amazing, rewarding and fun! Fred and I take walks and even play basketball. Not only do we have a good time, he has a wonderful family that I love as well."
   --Greg Jacobson

 

TWO VISITOR PROGRAMS

CBB-JFS Caring Visitor Appreciation Brunch, June 2009. L-R: Ruth Hartzman, Lauren Evans, Barbara Mizes, and CBB co-facilitator Debbie Hartzman.
CBB-JFS Caring Visitor Appreciation Brunch, June 2009.
JFS has two types of visitor programs:
Caring Visitors are members of Congregation B'nai B'rith and visit temple members and others within the Jewish Community.
Volunteer Visitors visit both Jewish and non-Jewish folks.
Volunteers in both groups are screened, trained volunteers who visit isolated or homebound individuals, providing weekly companionship and social interaction for about an hour each visit. Clients or "visitees" live in their own homes, retirement communities, assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
The volunteers visit clients where they live or sometimes meet them away from home, but they do not drive them anywhere or do errands or other services. They are good listeners and are mindful of confidentiality.
More information: contact Harriet Marx, JFS Coordinator of Volunteers, 957-1116 x133, or fill out the volunteer application.

VISITOR TESTIMONIALS
"The gentleman I visit has no immediate family and is truly delighted to spend time with me. He loves the fact that I am Jewish and practice the faith because he cannot get out to the temple anymore. It is so nice to be able to give back to the community."  --Diane Frankel

"It amazes me how appreciative people are for a moment of your time. An hour out of your life listening, taking and sharing with another human being costs you nothing but the rewards are incalculable."  --Debi Scott

"I visit a young 93-year-old man. He has become my friend, and the relationship grows every week. My visits with this gentleman certainly help me feel good about being a Caring Visitor and a Jew.  --Arnold Spechler

"Through the Caring Visitor program I have met some wonderful people whose lives have enriched mine. I am grateful to the congregation and to JFS for this opportunity."  --Claire Bachmuth

Visiting the Isolated or Homebound
JFS has two types of visitor programs:
Caring Visitors are members of Congregation B'nai B'rith and visit temple members and others within the Jewish Community.
Volunteer Visitors visit both Jewish and non-Jewish folks.
Volunteers in both groups are screened, trained volunteers who visit isolated or homebound individuals, providing weekly companionship and social interaction for about an hour each visit. Clients or "visitees" live in their own homes, retirement communities, assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
The volunteers visit clients where they live or sometimes meet them away from home, but they do not drive them anywhere or do errands or other services. They are good listeners and are mindful of confidentiality.

Transportation Assistance
Many of our older adults lose mobility with age, due to vision impairment or other diminished abilities, but do not lose their interest in participating in community events. Isolation and loneliness for these individuals is a tremendous challenge and JFS is always delighted to welcome volunteers able to drive seniors to events and activities that will connect them with the larger community.

Serving at Schmooze RoomSchmooze Room
Assist at our weekly cafe for seniors each Tuesday at noon: "schmooze" with guests or be an extra set of hands helping our chef and other volunteers with food preparation, serving and other needs.

Big Buddy Program
Through the Big Buddy Program, volunteers commit to become an "adopted grandparent" throughout the year to a pre-schooler at Congregation B’nai B’rith. JFS and pre-school personnel coordinate group activities between seniors and their "little buddies" who interact around holidays and other events monthly at the Tuesday Schmooze Room.

Office Assistance
At various times our organization can use a helping hand with tasks such as data entry, online research and other in-office work. Tasks vary based on the skills, abilities and interests of the volunteer.

General Assistance
Add your name to our "On Call" list for errands, mailings, special events assistance, or whatever you can help us with.