Volunteer

The caregiver does not have to be home while the volunteer visits and the visits are available for a few hours a week or every other week. Our volunteers are screened, background checked, and trained to work with people experiencing memory loss.

Volunteers must submit to a background check. The program commitment is 1-2 hours once a week or once every other week depending on the agreed upon visit duration/frequency by the caregiver and volunteer.  The schedule of meetings is flexible. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFS Volunteer Tracking system and submit an update of the visit to the program coordinator online.  We ask a 1-year commitment for this program.

For more information contact Mei Lepowsky Moyer at 973-637-1762 or mmoyer@jfsmetrowest.org

The volunteer will call for the grocery list and schedule a time to drop off the groceries. Clients are from Essex County, Morris County, and the surrounding areas.  Clients must have the ability to reimburse the volunteer for the groceries.

Volunteers must submit to a background check. The program commitment is once a week or once every other week depending on the frequency of shopping agreed upon by the volunteer and client.  The schedule for shopping/drop off is flexible. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFS Volunteer Tracking system and submit an update of the visit to the program coordinator online.

For more information contact Mei Lepowsky Moyer at 973-637-1762 or mmoyer@jfsmetrowest.org

Volunteers must submit to a background check. The program commitment is 1 hour once a week and the schedule of meetings is flexible. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFS Volunteer Tracking system and submit an update of the visit to the program coordinator online.

For more information, contact Kathy Mikula at kmikula@jfsmetrowest.org or at 973-637-1726.

Each senior is paired one-on-one with a volunteer to facilitate a deeper connection through shared experiences and activities. JFS Staff will work with the pair to find an activity that brings them joy such as a trip to a botanical garden, attending a show or movie they had been looking forward to seeing, or sharing a meal at a local restaurant. Tessie’s Touch will cover the cost of the activities and transportation.

Volunteers must submit to a background check. The program commitment is 1 hour once a week and the schedule of meetings is flexible. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFS Volunteer Tracking system and submit an update of the visit to the program coordinator online.

For more information, contact Kathy Mikula at kmikula@jfsmetrowest.org or at 973-637-1726

Volunteers must complete a background check and are asked to commit to a full school year. The program is 1-1.5 hours once a week. Training and books are provided. Substitute reader positions are available for those who cannot commit to weekly sessions.

To participate, contact Julie Cramer-Le at jcramer-le@jfsmetrowest.org or (973) 637-1761.

Reading Buddies is run through RSVP, an AmeriCorps Seniors program, and only open to volunteers ages 55+.

The volunteer is not a tutor or therapist. The Listener volunteer lends a non-judgmental ear to individual students who benefit from the special time and attention afforded by this relationship. By encouraging students to express their feelings and identify solutions to problems, Listener volunteers help students meet the challenges of growing up in today’s world.

Listener volunteers receive a training and ongoing supervision and support. Meetings with listeners are held bi-monthly with different speakers in the community.

Volunteers must complete a background check and are asked to commit to a full school year. The program runs 45 minutes once a week. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFS Volunteer Tracking system.

To participate, contact Julie Cramer-Le at jcramer-le@jfsmetrowest.org or (973) 637-1761.

Listen to Children is run through RSVP, an AmeriCorps Seniors program, and only open to volunteers ages 55+.

Volunteers pick up freshly cooked meals and/or care packages, either in Livingston or Florham Park depending on the holiday, and deliver them to homebound older adults and holocaust survivors throughout Essex and Morris Counties.  Holidays can include Purim, Passover, Shavuot, Rosh Hashanah, Thanksgiving, and Chanukah.

For more information, contact Mei Lepowsky Moyer at 973-637-1762 or mmoyer@jfsmetrowest.org.

Medicare beneficiaries frequently have questions about benefits, claims, and supplement policies such as Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. Volunteer counselors, trained in areas of health insurance coverage and benefits that affect Medicare beneficiaries, provide information and assistance for dealing with claims and in evaluating health insurance options. Counselors also help low-income Medicare beneficiaries apply for Extra Help, prescription assistance, and Low-Income Subsidy programs.

Volunteer counselors do not provide legal advice, sell, recommend, or endorse any specific insurance product, agent, insurance company, or plan. They provide information and assistance so that Medicare beneficiaries can make their own decisions. Counseling is free of charge. Counselors are assigned to easy to access community sites, such as libraries and community centers throughout the county.

SHIP Counselors must commit to a background check, a 40-hour training, and a minimum of 1 year of service. Volunteers typically serve 2-4 hours a week, but are busiest during Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct 15 through Dec 7).

To volunteer, contact Brittany Bynum at bbynum@jfsmetrowest.org or (973) 637-1717. The Essex County SHIP is run through RSVP, an AmeriCorps Seniors program, and only open to volunteers ages 55+.

To receive SHIP services please contact our Helpline at (973) 637-1717 or email medicarehelp@jfsmetrowest.org. For more information on the SHIP program visit https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/ship/.