Volunteer Program

The JFCS Volunteer Program consists of a team of over 165 volunteers who range in age from teenagers to senior citizens. They enrich the lives of our clients, as well as their own lives, through a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

"My volunteer Meals-on-Wheels driver read from the Torah in honor of my 86th birthday during my Aliyah. She has become like a granddaughter to me, and praying on the bimah together is a
memory I will carry to my grave."  - Sol, client

Volunteer Opportunities

Friendly Visitors

Friendly visitor volunteers bring friendship and companionship to seniors and homebound adults, through home visits and phone calls to those who are isolated from the outside world.

Shabbat Shalom Visitors

Volunteers bring the warmth and spirit of Shabbat and the joy of Jewish holiday celebrations to Jewish residents in nursing homes and residential facilities by visiting and conducting services. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity for parents with young children.

Teacher's Helper

Volunteers serve as an extra set of hands in the pre-school classrooms at the Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz Jewish Community Center. Volunteers help with various tasks depending upon the needs of the teacher in each classroom. This is a perfect opportunity for middle or high school students to help with the after-care program starting at 3:00 PM.

Jewish Hospice

Through a partnership between JFCS and Samaritan Hospice, volunteers bring the comfort of Jewish traditions through visits with seriously ill patients, often providing respite care for family members. Volunteers also enhance their lives by bringing them challahs, candles, and other traditional items to celebrate Shabbat.

Kosher Meals-on-Wheels

Volunteers deliver pre-packaged, microwaveable kosher meals on a weekly basis to homebound or convalescing older adults who need some extra assistance.

Transportation

Volunteers provide transportation to medical and other appointments to help individuals unable to get around on their own maintain an independent lifestyle.

Food Pantry

The Betsy and Peter Fischer Food Pantry, staffed and operated through the JFCS Volunteer Program, collects food and personal care items, gift cards, and scrip to distribute to individuals and families in need throughout the community. The food pantry provides much needed assistance to community members who are struggling to make ends meet in this difficult economy. Donations from synagogues, community organizations, JCC campers, the Ravitz Family Foundation, as well as from families donating edible centerpieces from their simchas, help keep it well stocked. In addition, volunteers and board members help prepare and deliver food to homebound and frail seniors and other community members in need at Thanksgiving and Jewish holidays.

Domestic Abuse (Project S.A.R.A.H.)

Volunteers help with outreach by distributing educational materials to various organizations throughout the tri-county area.

Special Needs Mentors and Coaches

Teen Volunteers (TOUCH) is a partnership between the JFCS Volunteer Program and students at area high schools, and may include USY and BBYO groups, Midrashah, Hebrew High Schools, and other youth groups in the future. The teens perform volunteer service projects for community members.

Tutors

Volunteers assist newcomers to our community by providing English tutorial services.

Yad b'Yad (Hand in Hand) Breast Cancer Support Program

The Yad b'Yad Program matches volunteers with individuals who have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Opportunities include one-on-one conversations between trained survivors and recently diagnosed individuals, helping to distribute information about the program to community organizations, and providing clerical and other support for special events. Volunteers, many of whom are breast cancer survivors themselves, understand the value that such support can provide to a person who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Special Needs Friends

This program is similar to Friendly Visitors, except the volunteer is matched with a special needs individual. Requires a one-year commitment with recommended weekly to bi-weekly visits.

Special Events Assistance

Volunteers assist staff at annual events during Hanukkah and Passover. Help is also needed for the Annual Resource Fair and Special Needs Conference.

Vocational Networking Group Facilitator

Volunteers assist with facilitating this group on a monthly basis to help individuals with employment issues.

Administrative Assistance

Volunteers give additional office support to the agency.

Quick Links

Volunteer Applications

2010 Volunteer of the Year

Additional Information

For more information about our volunteer opportunities, please call Andi at 856-424-1333 or email volunteer@jfedsnj.org.  For more information about receiving volunteer services, please call 856-424-1333 and ask to speak to an Intake Counselor.