Volunteer Opportunities
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 80 volunteers! Join us!
Please contact Harriet Marx, Coordinator of Volunteers, 957-1116 x113
Here 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
- Office Assistance
Specialized Volunteer Opportunities
JFS needs and values your expertise! In addition to our ongoing volunteer recruitment efforts, we are always looking for volunteers who have special skills or talents they would be willing to share. Are you a photographer, an event planner or an attorney who can lend your expertise? Do you enjoy special projects? We may be able to utilize your specialized abilities to support our volunteer programs and we encourage you to contact us if you are interested in sharing them.
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Visiting the Isolated or HomeboundJFS has two types of visitor programs:
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.
Caring Visitors are members of Congregation B'nai B'rith and visit temple members and others within the Jewish Community.
Click to read testimonials from our Caring Visitors.
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.
Schmooze 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.
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.
What Our
Volunteers Say:
"My class [T'ai Chi Chih] is certainly a highlight of my life. I have 16 wonderful students, a dozen or so that show up every week. (Seven of them drive over from Ojai.) The Jewish Community Center is such a wonderful place to hold it and the staff is so supportive."
--Tony Johansen, Volunteer Instructor for T'ai Chi Chih at the JCC since 2007
"I highly recommend participation in the JFS volunteer visitor program under the expert and caring supervision of [Coordinator of Volunteers] Harriet Marx," says Beverly. "Harriet is available to listen to issues and find constructive solutions. I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity afforded by JFS to give back to our community, in gratitude for the many benefits afforded me as a member of the Jewish community."
--Beverly Penner
"The Volunteer Coordinator takes a keen interest in the volunteers personally, ensuring that the work is appropriate. I recommend volunteering with JFS and Jewish Federation to anyone looking for social interaction within a foundation of meaning and value."
--Norman Risch
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