SEPT VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTNancy Gordon

Each year, individuals, families, and groups give their time, resources and talent to help us better serve the community. Our dedicated volunteers play a critical role in ensuring that JFCS is here for all, always. We offer short- and long-term volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Volunteers provide support to those in need through our programs serving both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.

Volunteer needs and opportunities fluctuate throughout the year. Find a list of volunteer opportunities and more information below. 

Thank you to our 2023 volunteers!
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HOW TO GET STARTED

Volunteering with JFCS is easy! Follow the simple steps below to get started. If you have further questions or would like to speak to someone directly, please contact Dana Shapiro, Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager at dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org or 952-417-2112.

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER


COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Participate in a JFCS-themed Mitzvah Project

Let JFCS support you as you prepare for your big day of becoming a B’Mitzvah and embrace the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repair of the world). These projects are open to anyone and are great options for both individuals (B’Mitzvah students, teens, and adults) and groups (families, schools, book clubs, mahjong groups, community organizations, businesses, etc.) looking to make a difference in the community. We can cater the project to your needs and interest.
> View flyer

Dana Shapiro │ Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager │ dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-417-2112

Provide essential rides for JFCS clients as a Garber Transportation Driver

Volunteer drivers choose a schedule that works for them and drive their own car, providing rides to clients to necessary appointments and errands. 
> View this short video
> View flyer
> Read the job description here

Alex Botvinnik │ Transportation/MOW Supervisor │ Abotvinnik@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-542-4829

Volunteer receptionist help in the afternoon

Help at the front desk a minimum of four hours per week on regularly scheduled afternoons to greet visitors, answer phone calls, and set the tone to ensure a welcoming and positive experience for clients, guests and staff. Training and support will be provided by the Administrative Professionals Team.

Dana Shapiro │ Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager │ dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-417-2112

Participate in Hag Sameach (Happy Holidays) Program and support families in need during Passover and Hanukkah and throughout the year

Adopt-a-Family, purchase gifts from our registries, volunteer to sort, pack or wrap gifts, or deliver gifts to program recipients. Consider organizing a supply drive to collect new household items, winter wear, games, books, toys, etc. as a great year-round activity for individuals, families, and groups.
> Learn more here
> Hag Sameach 2023 year in review

Mindy Teele │ Hag Sameach Manager │ mteele@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-542-4870

Group volunteering with Volunteers in Action

Volunteers in Action is a JFCS volunteer corps that supports organizations in the Jewish and broader communities. The program partners with organizations whose missions align with JFCS’ mission to provide essential services to people of all ages and backgrounds to sustain healthy relationships, ease suffering and offer support in times of need. 
> View flyer
> View past VIA events

Dana Shapiro │ Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager │ dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-417-2112

Make cards for a fun and easy way to brighten someone’s day

This is a family-friendly and remote opportunity to create handmade or store-bought cards. These cards let our clients and program participants know the community is thinking about them and reminding them that they are not alone during this isolating time. Your warm and cheerful messages go a long way! Reach out to receive specific card-making instructions.

Dana Shapiro │ Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager │ dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-417-2112

Join JFCS’s NextGen group and volunteer along with other adults in their 20s and 30s

NextGen provides opportunities for young adults ages 21-36 to develop leadership skills and deepen connections to JFCS and its mission through social and volunteer experiences and philanthropy.
> View on facebook

Molly Knopf │ NextGen Coordinator │ mknopf@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-417-4874 

Get involved with J-Pride and help plan an upcoming program

J-Pride’s mission is to create community through queer-focused Jewish programming for LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies throughout the Twin Cities. J-Pride participates in the annual Twin Cities Pride Festival with a J-Pride booth and in the Ashley Rukes Parade

Hunter Wengersky │ J-Pride Program Coordinator │ hwengersky@jfcsmpls.org │ 952-417-2122

Support JFCS staff with events throughout the year

Annual Benefit, PJ Library, Caring Connections, Annual Conference on Mental Health, Caregiver’s Conference, etc.

Peggy Kasdan Mandel | Annual Campaign and Special Projects Manager |  pmandel@jfcsmpls.org | 952-542-4814
Geri Goldman | PJ Library Manager | Ggoldman@jfcsmpls.org |  952-417-2139 
Stacey Spencer | Disabilities Service Manager | sspencer@jfcsmpls.org | 952-542-4845
Tabitha Benci DeRango | Community Conferences Manager | TDeRango@jfcsmpls.org | 952-417-2107

Respond to Hunger

Become a part of the Jewish community’s response to hunger. PRISM, our partner in ending food insecurity, has many needs including ongoing volunteer support in the food shelf and Shop For Change thrift store during open hours. Families or groups, with guidance of PRISM staff, may organize a food, clothing, or other non-food item supply drive. 


WORK WITH YOUTH

Become a Jewish Youth Mentor and positively shape a child’s future by sharing your time, energy and enthusiasm

The Jewish Youth Mentoring Program is a community-based mentoring program for Jewish-identified youth that is designed to promote positive social-emotional-spiritual development and increase engagement in the Jewish community. Volunteers ages 16+ who want to be a role model and a friend, and positively shape a child’s future by sharing time, energy and enthusiasm are welcome to become a mentor.

> Job description
> View flyer
> View this short video
> Volunteer Mentor Application

Dori Gelfman | Jewish Youth Mentor Program Coordinator | DGelfman@jfcsmpls.org | 952-542-4835


WORK WITH SENIORS

We offer many ways to volunteer your time with older adults. We want to utilize your interests and strengths to help our seniors live their best, most engaged lives.

Provide Russian translation support to the Senior Services department

Provide translations via phone and for written materials including technology support for Russian-speaking clients. This helps us better support our clients to really make a difference in their day.

Connect with an older adult and bring joy to their life as an Outreach Visitor

Through one-on-one visits, outreach visitors offer companionship and support through weekly or bi-weekly visits at the client’s home and/or destinations in the community. Choose activities you both enjoy such as visiting, reading, playing games in their home, having coffee, lunch or seeing a movie. Read the job description here.

Talk on the phone and provide a listening ear as a Telephone Reassurance Volunteer

Reach out by phone on a regular basis to offer a friendly check-in with seniors. Calls are social in nature to help alleviate the affects of social isolation. This is a fun and easy way you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home. Read the job description here.

Help an older adult manage their finances as a Household Financial Volunteer

Volunteers assist with managing budgets, bills and financial affairs. Clients must be engaged in the process and cognitively able to partner with the volunteer. Read the job description here.

Help with upcoming Memory Café events

Tasks include setting up, welcoming participants, helping with activities, interacting with the participants, directing people to restrooms, and cleaning up. Memory Café is a gathering for people with memory loss and their caregivers who meet regularly for activities and conversations in a comfortable, supportive environment.

Help an older adult with minor household needs as a Quick Fix Volunteer

Quick Fix volunteers help JFCS Senior Service clients with easy, one-time household needs. It takes just a little time commitment to make a big difference in the life of a JFCS client. Read the job description here.


What our volunteers have to say

Jill Kaufman – Cards for the Community
Jim Gurovitsch – Garber Transportation
Andrea Binder- Outreach Visitor
Abbe Bernstein – Hag Sameach
Alli and Andrew Lifson – NextGen
Bridget Beck – Jewish Youth Mentor

A look at our volunteers

Volunteer Links:

> Volunteer Application
> JFCS Publicity Guidelines
> Volunteer Handbook
> Confidentiality Form
> Acknowledgement Form