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Volunteer Voice
2008 Newsletter
Read the latest news and wide range of opportunities available.
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| NY1: NYer Of The Week, Grace
Salant |
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80-Something Powerhouse Grace Salant Knits Comfort for Children
Manhattan resident Grace Salant doesn't let her 80-plus years slow her down.
She volunteers for seven organizations. Works part-time as an accountant. Runs in races. Bakes for her grandchildren. And still finds time to knit for Sanctuary Stitchers, a JBFCS volunteer program that provides blankets to teens living in residential treatment centers. Since the program started, 500 volunteers have created more than 5,000 blanket squares for teens whose young lives, until now, have been touched by little comfort. And Grace has been a big part of the effort.
What's her secret?
"I wake up and say, 'Thank you, God, another day. I can do it.'"
And she does.
"I finish everything I start," says Grace.
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Make a difference in someone’s life!
Volunteering is at the heart of our tradition! For over a century, the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services has brought meaningful care and hope to New Yorkers, thanks to the devotion and selfless caring of volunteers. Participants in our hands-on programs across New York City and Westchester range in age from 6 to 96. Your contribution as a volunteer greatly enhances the effectiveness of the mental health and social service programs offered by JBFCS.
Learn about volunteer opportunities below, then request our Volunteer Application Package, to begin the process of becoming a JBFCS volunteer.
For more information, call us at 212 632-4688 or e-mail VolDiv@jbfcs.org.
Volunteer opportunities:
Children’s Services
Big Brother Big Sister Program
Contact: 212 632-4688 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
a. Involvement in the program is an important adjunct to the child’s therapeutic treatment at our clinics or residential treatment programs. Volunteer "Bigs" and their client "Littles" represent the diversity New York has to offer. Matches are carefully made to ensure that mutual interests of "Bigs" and "Littles" are compatible.
b. Jewish Friends for Youth Program
serves Jewish children from single-parent families, not in treatment at JBFCS.
c. Ach/Achos, is for Orthodox Jewish
"Bigs and Littles."
Time: One-half day on
alternate weekend afternoons.
Camp Program
Contact: 212-632-4515 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Volunteers help place children with special needs in summer camp programs. Responsibilities include processing camp applications, helping therapists select the best facilities for their clients and coordinating placement and payment arrangements.
Time: One to two days per week, December to June.
Sanctuary® Stitchers Project
Contact: 212 632-4515 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
JBFCS Sanctuary® Stitchers knit or crochet squares which are assembled into beautiful handmade blankets for children living at JBFCS residences. These children have dealt with many tough life experiences. When we give a blanket, we are saying, "We honor you and you are important to us." Volunteer knitters range in age from 6 to 96. To date we have collected over 5,340 squares and 61 blankets. Groups can be formed in a variety of settings such as schools, law firms, synagogues and other organizations or you can knit on your own. [Learn more...]
Special Assignments Working With
Children
Contact: 212 632-4688 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Child Care Assistants provide personal
attention and guidance to children in residential care.
Time: Minimum twice weekly/six hours weekly.
Educational Tutors provide support and
guidance to children facing academic and school-related
difficulties.
Time: Minimum two hours weekly.
Group Skills volunteers help clients
develop better communication and social skills. Volunteers
can use their special skills in drama, photography, dance,
art and athletics to facilitate communication through these
media.
Time: Minimum two to three hours weekly.
Play Group Assistants help children
deal with separation from parents during parents treatment
session.
Time: Minimum three hours weekly.
Therapy Escorts volunteers work with
therapists to ensure that children of working parents are
able to get to and from treatment sessions.
Time: Minimum three hours weekly. Strong preference
for a one-year commitment.
JBFCS Study Buddy Program
Contact: 212 632-4616 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Exciting new tutoring opportunity with JBFCS: Are you interested in providing homework assistance to kids in school who need some extra help? Do you like working with children? Then the NEW JBFCS Study Buddy Program is for you!
You can help provide academic support and guidance to children at an
elementary school in midtown Manhattan. Individuals must be able to
commit to a full school year, at a minimum of once/week for an hour.
Additional time will be required for training and supervision.
[Request Volunteer Application] [TOP]
Holiday Outreach
Holiday Gift Program
Contact: 212 632-4685 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Volunteers help solicit gifts from toy corporations for children who are in treatment at the Jewish Board. Age-appropriate toys are distributed to the children in these programs, ensuring that children receive toys to enjoy the holidays.
Time: Seasonal assignment during three months prior
to holidays.
The Sally Pearce Passover Outreach
Program
Contact: 212 632-4693 VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Interview applicants to receive a small Passover Stipend to help celebrate the holiday, and provide referrals to other social services as needed. Volunteers can choose how many shifts and what hours between February 27th and March 16th, 2006. Carpools are arranged as needed. Training is required for all new volunteers.
Time: Special, short-term, seasonal assignment, two
days per week for a total of six days.
[Request Volunteer Application] [TOP]
Opportunities for Young Professionals
JBFCS Friends - Lend A Hand
Contact: 212 632-4691 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
The Friends program offers a series of one-time events to allow busy young professionals the opportunity to volunteer hands-on within the various JBFCS sites. Friends provide friendship and support to agency clientele with a range of special needs. This unique volunteer program is committed to cultivating future leadership for this renowned mental health and social service agency.
Time: Single-session assignments throughout the
year. See Friends Event Calendar
[Request Volunteer Application] [TOP]
Teen Volunteering Opportunities
Kids2Kids (B’nai Mitzvah ages)
Contact: 212 632-4616 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Share the joy of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah or other significant life event with a less fortunate youngster. You can help a child attend summer camp, give them music lessons, attend the school of their choice and more! By performing a simple act of loving kindness, chesed, you help improve another child’s life and make the difference at a critical moment in his or her life. In addition to making a financial donation to the scholarship fund of your choice, opportunities are also available to volunteer at various JBFCS programs.
Time: Commitments vary based on individual's availability.
JBFCS High School Friends (open to students in grades 9-12)
Contact: 212 632-4616 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Meet students from other schools while participating in fun and exciting community service projects at JBFCS programs around New York City. Sample projects include painting a mural at a residence for homeless adults, organizing a softball game for troubled children and leading arts and crafts projects with children from a domestic violence shelter. Participants will be able to earn up to 20 hours of community service credit. Interested students must submit an application, references and have a personal interview.
Time: Meets one Sunday each month from October through June
Teen Volunteer Opportunities (for ages 12 and over)
Contact: 212 632-4616 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Opportunities are available for individuals, groups, school groups and families to volunteer in the following settings:
- Homework helpers
- Recreational Activities (sports, arts & crafts, reading, etc…)
- Drives–organize an effort to collect needed items at your school, synagogue or youth group. Items could include toys, clothing, books and used cell phones. The possibilities are endless--use your imagination!
- Administrative tasks–computer skills a plus!
- Telephone Language Companion (must be at least 16yrs. of age)
- Holiday Parties at a Residence for children or adults with special needs
- Sanctuary Stitchers; Crochet or knit squares to assemble into blankets for children in need of comfort, warmth and love. Organize a knitting group at your school or with your youth group.
Time: Commitments vary from one time events to on going opportunities based on individual’s availability.
[Request Volunteer Application] [TOP]
Telephone Reassurance
CheeRing
Contact: 212 632-4687 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Volunteers make weekly, scheduled, telephone calls to isolated New Yorkers in need of emotional support.
Telephone Language Companion
Program
Contact: 212 632-4611 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
This program helps Russian émigrés from the former Soviet Union gain proficiency in the English language through telephone calls. Calls are made from the volunteer’s home or office. It helps new Soviet Jewish refugees improve language skills, eliminate "telephone phobia" and prepare for citizenship.
Time: Phone calls of five minutes or more three
times per week.
[Request Volunteer Application] [TOP]
Undergraduate Internship Program
Contact: 212 632-4616 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Undergraduate Student Internships are available throughout the five boroughs of New York City for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Opportunities include assignments working with children and adults who receive services at JBFCS. Explore working with individuals with mental illness, adults and children with developmental and emotional disabilities, and children and adults receiving therapeutic services at JBFCS.
Please note that we recommend starting the application process approximately two months in advance of when you anticipate beginning your internship. This will allow ample time to complete the application and arrange for an appropriate placement. [FAQ & More info...]
[Request Volunteer Application] [TOP]
Volunteering with Troubled Adolescents
Mentoring Program
Contact: 212 632-4688 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
Provide friendship, support, guidance or tutoring to emotionally troubled children and adolescents in our residential treatment settings. Help prepare adult clients for independent living through basic job-readiness training, computer training and career exploration. Opportunity to be innovative. Serve as a positive role model. [Learn More...]
Time: One to one-and-a-half hours every other week.
Six-month commitment required.
[Request Volunteer Application] [TOP]
Westchester Volunteer Opportunities
Contact: 212 632-4688 or VolDiv@jbfcs.org
- Three residential treatment programs located in Westchester provide therapeutic, educational and day-to-day living skills programs for emotionally disturbed children between the ages of 10 to 19.
- Intergenerational Program enables senior adults to interact with children in recreational activities and games.
- Music Program needs volunteers to teach instrumental or vocal music to children. Recreational Assistants work with one or two children by playing board games, walking, reading and improving social skills.
- Religious Program requires volunteers to accompany children to Jewish, Protestant or Catholic services and/or tutor children in religious education.
- School Aides include after-school academic remediation tutors, shop assistants (printing, metal or wood) and library assistants.
©2007 Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services, Inc.
120 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019
Call 1-888-JBFCS-NY or e-mail admin@jbfcs.org
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