How You Can Help During COVID-19

JF&CS Family Table is looking for volunteers in Waltham, Marblehead, and Canton as we continue to serve our food pantry clients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past few months, our numbers have increased as we are providing emergency food for many people impacted by the ongoing health crisis.

Volunteers are needed to:

• Pack and deliver groceries on Sunday distributions days. Children are welcome. See our upcoming distribution dates. 
• Pack bags — Due to the expanded demand during the pandemic, we need help carefully pre-packing hundreds of bags on weekdays. Adults are preferred but a supervised child, age 12+, may participate (due to space limitations, only one volunteer under 17 years old per family).
• Assist during Marketplace —Volunteers help with set up, packing groceries, and distributing them during our curbside pick-up distribution for our clients on one Tuesday and/or Wednesday each month. Volunteers must be at least 17 years old. A supervised child, age 14+, may participate (due to space limitations, only one volunteer under 17 years old per family).

Strict social distancing guidelines are in place. 

Based on state and federal guidance, we cannot accept volunteers who have an underlying health condition, are feeling unwell, have come in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 (or an ill person whose COVID-19 status is in question), or are self-quarantining. 

Sign Up to Volunteer: If you would like to help, please fill out our brief Family Table application for Waltham, Marblehead, or Canton if you have not completed a volunteer application previously. If you have questions, contact Family Table at familytable@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-5593. 

All volunteers 18 and older must undergo a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) background check processed by JF&CS and completed approximately two weeks prior to the distribution.

Family Table Amazon Wish List

Many people have asked us how they can support our pantry with food donations. Family Table now has an Amazon Wish List to make donations easier. We encourage bulk purchasing of 12 or more items if possible, rather than shipping just one or two items at a time.

Gift Cards for Family Table

Our Family Table food pantry is accepting donations of Stop & Shop gift cards in $25 increments. Please mail cards to Bernice Behar, Family Table Director, JF&CS, 1430 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451. If you have any questions, please email Bernice at bbehar@jfcsboston.org.  

The Amazon Wish List for our Center for Early Relationship Support^® highlights our greatest needs around providing diapers, wipes, and other essentials to our clients. You can purchase items directly from our Wish List or send us an Amazon gift card to help us support our clients and their families.

"Thinking of You" Cards for Isolated Older Adults 

Write personalized “Thinking of You” cards that we can send to our isolated, older adult clients. In the past, this generation primarily communicated through handwritten notes and letters, so your personally-written message will be particularly meaningful. If you are interested, please follow these Card Making Directions. Contact Ava Harder with any questions at aharder@jfcsboston.org.

Birthday Cards for Holocaust Survivors 

Each year, JF&CS sends birthday cards to hundreds of Holocaust survivors. For many survivors, this is the only birthday card or acknowledgment they will receive. We are looking for volunteers to create homemade cards for our Schechter Holocaust Services clients. If you are interested, please follow these Card Making Guidelines. Contact Ava Harder with any questions at aharder@jfcsboston.org.

Knit, crochet, or craft for our clients! Make scarves, a lap blanket, or a shawl for isolated older adults. Your handmade gift will help bring warmth and compassion to our clients. For more information, please contact Ava Harder at aharder@jfcsboston.org.

Help keep our clients and frontline staff healthy by making homemade masks. You can follow these CDC guidelines to learn how to make masks at home. Please note that we are only accepting sewn cloth masks (not ones made from T-shirts or bandanas).

In addition to masks for adults, we are also looking for masks for children in slightly smaller sizes. We have several options for delivering the masks:

1. Mail the masks in a large envelope or box to: 

Ava Harder
Manager, Volunteer Services 
JF&CS
1430 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02451

2. Drop off your masks at our JF&CS offices. Drop-offs can occur Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ava's name must be on the package.

3. If you have created a large number of masks and are not able to send them to the JF&CS office, please contact Ava Harder (aharder@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-5007) to arrange a mutually convenient location for socially distanced in-person drop-off (into the trunk of Ava's car).

If you have any questions, please contact Ava Harder at aharder@jfcsboston.org.

We are creating a library of activities for our clients with disabilities who are not able to attend school or a day program during the COVID-19 crisis. Volunteers can record themselves on their phone doing an adaptive art project, dance, workout, yoga, song session, relaxation, or meditation. Clients will be able to access the videos on the JF&CS YouTube channel!  To get involved, please contact Angie Waring at awaring@jfcsboston.org.

The Friendly Visitor Program matches volunteers with frail and isolated elders who are living either in their homes or long-term care facilities. Through one-on-one visits the program offers companionship, helps alleviate loneliness, promotes aging with dignity, and for many offers a treasured connection to Judaism.

Volunteers visit their elder every week for about an hour. Activities may include: sharing memories, helping with errands, sharing a holiday, or taking a walk. The time and day you meet with your elder is flexible and up to you and the elder to decide. All volunteers receive training and ongoing support from the JF&CS Friendly Visitor Program Coordinator.

Volunteer Requirements

• Commit to visiting their elder once a week for about an hour
• Commit to volunteering for at least six months
• At least 18 years old
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview and 1-hour 1:1 training
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for Friendly Visitors, please fill out this application form.

Held on the first Friday of each month, the JF&CS Memory Café offers a welcoming place for people living with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder and their care partners. These intergenerational events feature a guest artist, musician, poet, dancer, or author who shares his or her work and leads the group in a related activity. Volunteers are needed to help set up the room and greet and mingle with everyone gathered at the Café.

Volunteer Requirements

• Available once a month on Friday, 10.00 a.m. – noon
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for the Memory Cafe, please fill out this application form.

The JF&CS Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson’s Family Support program specializes in helping families live as fully as possible with the many challenges of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

To address the important function of movement, a dance program is offered and activities are structured so that everyone can participate at his or her own level. People with Parkinson’s and their care partners value these activities for the physical benefits, the strategies for symptom management that are offered, and they enjoy being part of a caring and supportive community.

We are looking for a responsible, compassionate volunteer to help each week with set up, greeting program participants, and serving refreshments during break. No experience is required but volunteers are expected to actively participate in the dance class.

Dance class takes place most Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at JF&CS Headquarters in Waltham.

Volunteer Requirements

• Available on Wednesdays, 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
• Commit to volunteering on a weekly basis for a minimum of 6 months
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for the Parkinson’s Dance Group, please fill out this application form.

The JF&CS Charlotte & Richard Okonow Parkinson’s Family Support program specializes in helping families live as fully as possible with the many challenges of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

To address the important function of voice, a choral program is offered and activities are structured so that everyone can participate at his or her own level. People with Parkinson’s and their care partners value these activities for the physical benefits, the strategies for symptom management that are offered, and they enjoy being part of a caring and supportive community.

The Tremble Clefs Choral Group is looking for a responsible, compassionate volunteer to help each week with set up, greeting program participants, and serving refreshments during break. No experience is required but volunteers are expected to actively participate during rehearsals.

The Choral Group takes place on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. - noon in Newton.

Volunteer Requirements

• Available on Mondays, 10.30 a.m. – noon
• Commit to volunteering on a weekly basis for a minimum of six months
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for the Parkinson’s Choral Group, please fill out this program-specific application form.

The mission of Family Table is to end hunger in the Greater Boston Jewish community, while serving those who need our assistance, regardless of religious affiliation. Family Table fulfills its mission by providing kosher food, creating a caring Jewish connection, and empowering people to make healthy eating a part of their daily lives.

Family Table South is looking for responsible, dedicated volunteers to help on Sundays to pack and deliver groceries to families in need or support the food distribution. 

What is the time commitment for delivering groceries?

Volunteers arrive to pack and deliver food anytime between 9:30 -  10:00 a.m. on a designated Sunday morning. Packing takes about 30 minutes. Then you will drive and deliver the groceries to your assigned recipients. You may be assigned 1-3 deliveries. Deliveries should be completed no later than noon. 

Additional volunteer opportunities:

• Help with activities such as setting up the pantry (8:45 - 9:30 a.m. or 8:45 - 10:15 a.m.).
• Assist during Marketplace, when clients are shopping in the pantry and conclude with clean-up (10:15 a.m. - noon).

Volunteers are welcome to join us one or more Sundays per year. Children are also welcome to volunteer when accompanied by an adult.

Volunteer Requirements

• Advanced registration required
• Sunday morning availability
• Volunteers younger than 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• All volunteers 18 and older must undergo a CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) background check. The CORI must be processed by JF&CS.

How to Apply

If you are interested in volunteering at a Family Table South Sunday Distribution in Waltham, please fill out this program-specific application form.

The Lauren & Mark Rubin Visiting Moms® program is a home-visiting support program staffed by trained and supervised volunteers that provides weekly visits for up to one year. In this unique relationship, Rubin Visiting Moms volunteers offer nurturance and non-judgmental support to parents of newborns. Our goals include increased confidence and competence in their parenting roles.

The program is looking for dedicated, compassionate volunteers to visit with parents of newborns in their home one hour weekly until the baby’s first birthday.

Candidate must be an experienced mom with the flexibility to attend a bi-monthly, two-hour supervision group during weekday morning hours.

This position requires approximately 8-10 hours per month.

Volunteer Requirements

• Experienced moms whose children are older than 18 months
• Have weekday morning availability
• Have access to a car
• Attend an initial 10-hour training, held as five 2-hour sessions
• Commit to attending twice-monthly 2-hour supervision groups (during weekday morning hours)
• Provide a 1-hour home visit every week for a minimum of one year
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering as a Rubin Visiting Mom, please fill out this program-specific application form.

Mentor Economic Self-Empowerment for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

This volunteer mentor role works with survivors of domestic abuse within the context of increasing their economic security through collaborative goal setting and goal attainment, coaching, problem-solving, and resource research, while also providing gentle and non-judgmental support and encouragement.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Participate in required orientation, training, and ongoing bi-weekly group supervision.
• Meet with mentee weekly or bi-weekly either in person or by phone for up to 9 months (or as appropriate during the pandemic.)
• In collaboration with the mentee, identify economic security goals and steps necessary to attain these goals.
• Demonstrate consistent coaching, problem-solving, and resource approach for each goal, using a non-judgmental and compassionate approach.

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering as a Journey to Self Empowerment Mentor, please fill out this application form. For questions or more information, please contact Ava Harder, Manager of Volunteer Services, at volunteers@jfcsboston.org or 781-693-5007.

The CHAI Works Day Program creates meaningful and fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities to lead productive and integrated lives in their communities and to increase feelings of self-worth and confidence. This is done through employment, volunteering, health and wellness, recreation, enrichment, and community experiences.

The program is looking for compassionate, responsible volunteers with special interests/talents/skills to share with and teach participants. Volunteers would facilitate groups (with the assistance of program staff) either once or on a recurring basis.

Groups can be facilitated at either 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. or 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Possible group topics include:

• Singing/chorus
• Drama
• Budgeting/money skills
• Book group
• Healthy cooking
• Gardening

Volunteer Requirements

• Have daytime, weekday availability
• Commit to volunteering weekly for a minimum of six months
• At least 21 years of age (although children can accompany their parents)
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview and training
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering as a CHAI Works Group Facilitator, please fill out this program-specific application form.

The CHAI Works Day Program creates meaningful and fulfilling opportunities for individuals with disabilities to lead productive and integrated lives in their communities and to increase feelings of self-worth and confidence. This is done through employment, volunteering, health and wellness, recreation, enrichment, and community experiences.

The program is looking for compassionate, responsible, dedicated volunteers to provide additional support to program staff and develop relationships with participants on a regular, ongoing basis in community settings throughout Greater Boston.

Volunteers may commit to a block of time one day or more during the week (Monday - Friday) during regular program hours (e.g. every Monday from 9:00 a.m. - noon or every Tuesday and Thursday noon - 3:00 p.m.)

The ideal candidate will have an interest in supporting people with disabilities as they learn life skills and develop relationships in the community. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old.

Volunteer Requirements

• Have daytime, weekday availability
• Commit to volunteering weekly for a minimum of six months
• At least 21 years of age (although children can accompany their parents)
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview and training
• Undergo a CORI check

The JF&CS CHAI Supported Housing programs offer a range of options for adults with disabilities who want to live as independently as possible while enjoying community involvement and pursuing individual goals.

Volunteers plan out an activity to do with residents based on the volunteers’ skills and interests at one of the JF&CS supported residences in Greater Boston and the surrounding towns.

Possible ideas include:

• Music/sing-along evening
• Games night
• Crafts

This role takes place weekday evenings from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Volunteer Requirements

• Commit to volunteering once a week for at least six months
• Be 21 or older
• Have weekday evening availability
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview and training
• Undergo a CORI check

The JF&CS CHAI Supported Housing programs offer a range of options for adults with disabilities who want to live as independently as possible while enjoying community involvement and pursuing individual goals.

Cooking volunteers plan out simple, tasty, and healthy meals to cook and share with 7 to 14 residents and staff at one of the JF&CS supported residences in Greater Boston and the surrounding towns.

This role takes place weekday evenings from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (allowing for about an hour’s meal prep/cooking and then eating around 6:30 p.m.).

Volunteers can send staff a list of ingredients ahead of volunteering so that the ingredients can be purchased.

Volunteer Requirements

• Commit to volunteering once a week for at least six months
• Be 21 or older
• Have weekday evening availability
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview and training
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for the CHAI Residential program as a Cooking Volunteer, please fill out this program-specific application form.

JF&CS makes it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy the Jewish tradition of welcoming Shabbat.

We are looking for a responsible, dedicated volunteer to facilitate a Friday night Shabbat candle lighting ceremony (candle lighting, Kiddush, and Motzi) from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in a JF&CS CHAI residence. The ideal candidate will have an interest in helping people with disabilities celebrate their Jewish faith.

The volunteer may choose to facilitate this service at one of the JF&CS supported residences in Greater Boston and the surrounding towns.

Training, supplies, and ongoing support will be provided.

This position requires one hour per Friday and volunteers may choose one or more Fridays per month.

Volunteer Requirements

• Have an interest in helping people with disabilities celebrate their Jewish faith
• Facilitate at least one Shabbat dinner each month
• Have Friday evening availability
• At least 21 years of age (although children can accompany their parents)
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview and training
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering as a CHAI Residential Shabbat Facilitator, please fill out this program-specific application form.

JF&CS makes it possible for people with disabilities to enjoy the Jewish tradition of welcoming Shabbat. CHAI (Community Housing for Adult Independence) is the only Jewish residential program in Greater Boston for adults with disabilities.

One Friday night per month, JF&CS hosts a community Shabbat dinner at JF&CS Headquarters in Waltham for CHAI program participants. Twice per year the Shabbat dinner is replaced with a Saturday Shabbaton and brunch.

We are looking for compassionate, responsible event volunteers to help set up, serve dinner, socialize during the event, and assist with clean up.

Friday event hours: 4:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday event hours: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Volunteer Requirements

• Have an interest in helping people with disabilities celebrate their Jewish faith
• Have Friday evening or Saturday daytime availability
• At least 21 years of age
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview and training
• Undergo a CORI check

The HALO Swim and Sing program offers therapeutic recreation and socialization for individuals (ages 7-35) with moderate to severe neurological disabilities while providing three hours of weekly respite for their parents and caregivers.

The program is looking for dedicated, compassionate volunteers to work one-on-one with individuals during interactive music therapy and then swimming. During music therapy, participants, staff, and volunteers play instruments, sing along, and move around with a certified music therapist. Music is followed by a free swim when participants, staff, and volunteers have fun relaxing in a shallow pool.

The program is held in Newton on Sundays from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. and in Stoughton on Sundays from 3.15 – 6:15 p.m. Volunteers can choose which location they prefer.

Volunteer Requirements

• Commit to attending a minimum of 15 sessions a year (held on Sundays, during the day)
• Attend an initial interview and training
• At least 18 years old
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering as a HALO Swim and Sing Respite volunteer, please fill out this program-specific application form.

Kids Connection Corner (KCC) provides a fun, recreational, family support program for youth (ages 7-14) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families.

The program is seeking volunteers who have a passion for working with children with ASD. Volunteers will work on a team to provide opportunities for socialization, life skills development, and creative activities for youth while giving family members much-needed time to themselves. Our goal is to promote optimal health by strengthening support networks for these children and their caregivers.

Volunteers should possess high energy and creative talents to make the program stimulating.  The volunteer may help support and facilitate events with parents such as workshops and networking.

The program runs in Newton on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Volunteer Requirements

• Commit to attending a minimum of a school calendar year
• Attend an initial interview and training
• At least 18 years old
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Undergo a CORI check
• Demonstrate excellent communications skills
• High school degree required

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for KCC, please fill out this JF&CS volunteer application form.

Schechter Holocaust Services (SHS) continues to honor the agency's longstanding commitment to address the needs and concerns of Holocaust survivors and their families as they change over time.

The SHS Holiday Visitor program matches volunteers who are the children or grandchildren of Holocaust survivors with Holocaust survivors. Volunteers visit the survivor during the months of Rosh Hashanah, Chanukkah, Purim, Passover, and Shavuot. SHS Visitors offer survivors a treasured connection to Judaism and the knowledge that the Jewish community continues to remember them.

Volunteer Requirements

• Child or grandchild of a survivor
• Commit to visiting their older adult five times a year
• Commit to volunteering for at least one year
• At least 18 years old or accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend a required interview and 1-hour 1:1 training
• Undergo a CORI check

While Russian language skills are not required, they are certainly a plus!

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering as a Schechter Holocaust Services Holiday Visitor, please fill out this program-specific application form.

Schechter Holocaust Services (SHS) continues to honor the agency's longstanding commitment to address the needs and concerns of Holocaust survivors and their families as they change over time.

Administrative Volunteers assist staff with the day-to-day operations of the program. This includes helping with filing, mailings, calling clients to check in, and assisting with program events. Russian speakers may also be asked to help with translation.

Volunteer Requirements

• Commit to volunteering once a week (for three – six hours per week)
• Commit to volunteering for at least six months
• Have daytime availability
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Attend required interview
• Undergo a CORI check

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for Schechter Holocaust Services as an Administrative Volunteer, please fill out this program-specific application form.

Schechter Holocaust Services (SHS) continues to honor the agency's longstanding commitment to address the needs and concerns of Holocaust survivors and their families as they change over time.

Café Hakalah is a monthly social and cultural gathering of Holocaust survivors.

The goal of Café Hakalah is to offer Holocaust survivors:

• A reason to leave their home
• An opportunity to talk and make connections with other survivors
• Intellectual and cultural enrichment

Café Hakalah Volunteers attend the café and assist staff with registration, greeting guests, and serving food. Russian speaking volunteers may also be asked to help with translation.

The café lasts for about two hours and is generally held one time per month in: 

• Brookline
• Marblehead
• Worcester

Volunteers may sign up to help at one or more Café Hakalah events.

Volunteer Requirements

• Experience with older adults
• Russian language skills a plus
• Have daytime availability
• Be able to travel to the program
• Provide a minimum of two references
• Undergo a CORI check

Bet Tzedek Legal Services (which means “House of Justice” in Hebrew), provides free legal information, referral, advocacy, and representation to low-income clients throughout Greater Boston.

The program is looking for attorneys experienced in the following types of civil cases: housing; consumer law; government benefits; individual rights; and probate and family law including divorce, domestic abuse, and immigration.

Pro bono opportunities vary from handling individual cases to providing brief telephone advice on a specific legal issue. Whatever their time commitment, Bet Tzedek Legal Services attorneys have the potential to make an enormous difference in an individual’s life while fulfilling the recommendations of the Massachusetts Bar to assist persons with limited means.

Volunteer Requirements

• Licensed to practice in Massachusetts (passed the bar in MA)
• May commit to one or more cases per year
• Mentor, recruit, and train other attorneys or JF&CS staff
• Self-sufficient, actively practicing, and have the resources needed to help clients
• Must have a firm that supports pro bono work and is able to offer supervision for pro-bono cases
• The ideal candidate will have an interest in defending the rights of low-income people.

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering for Bet Tzedek Legal Services, please fill out this program-specific application form.

Assist in the day-to-day operations of the agency by providing support in the following areas: special projects, clerical tasks (mailings, filing, data entry), and other valued work.

How to Apply
If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out this application form.

JF&CS needs your expertise! Got a flair for entertaining? Perhaps our event planning team could use your help. Good with numbers? Maybe our fiscal department could use your assistance. Put your accounting, marketing, event planning, artistic, musical, language, or other proficiencies to work. Your specialized abilities can support our programs in a multitude of ways. Please contact us if you would be interested in sharing your expertise to help others.

How to Apply
If you are interested in Skill-Based Volunteer Opportunities, please fill out this general application form.

Joining a committee is a great way to learn about a specific program and become more engaged in the work of the agency. Opportunities range from Board committees and program advisory committees to event committees for our fundraisers. Contact us to find out which committee is right for you. 

How to Apply
If you are interested in joining a committee, please fill out this general application form.