North Jersey Volunteers Needed To Support Older Adults, Caregivers, Children

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Jewish Family Service of MetroWest NJ (JFS) is calling on compassionate community members to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults, caregivers, and children through its wide range of volunteer opportunities.

JFS is dedicated to strengthening individuals and families through social services and community support. JFS volunteer opportunities are open to residents of Essex and Morris counties.

With just a few hours a week, volunteers can provide conversation, companionship, and connection to those who need it most. “These programs provide an opportunity for volunteers to build meaningful connections, while addressing critical needs like isolation, food access, and caregiver burnout,” said Taylor Ruszczyk, Director of Volunteer Services at JFS. “Whether you have one hour a week or more to give, your time can make a lasting impact.”

Opportunities include:

Friendly Visiting & Tessie’s Touch

• Brighten the lives of isolated older adults through one-on-one visits.
• Provide companionship in the home or join a JFS client on outings such as trips to botanical gardens, movies, or meals out (expenses are covered by JFS).
• Flexible scheduling—weekly or bi-weekly commitments.
• Full training provided.

Contact Kathy Mikula at kmikula@jfsmetrowest.org | 973-637-1726

Reading Buddies

• Volunteers 55+ read to Pre-K–3rd grade students at Speedway Academy in Newark.
• One-hour weekly commitment, October through May.
• Gated, on-site parking available.

Contact Julie Cramer-Le at jcramer-le@jfsmetrowest.org | 973-637-1761

Shop & Drop

• Assist homebound seniors by grocery shopping and delivering food weekly or bi-weekly.

Contact Mei Lepowsky Moyer at mmoyer@jfsmetrowest.org | 973-637-1762

Caregiver Respite

• Give caregivers of loved ones with cognitive or chronic illness a much-needed break.
• Weekly or bi-weekly in-home visits, 1–3 hours.

Contact Mei Lepowsky Moyer at mmoyer@jfsmetrowest.org | 973-637-1762

Become a JFS Volunteer

JFS welcomes individuals of all backgrounds to join its volunteer team. Opportunities are available throughout Essex and Morris counties.

To learn more about volunteering, visit The JFS Maxine Myers Volunteer Department webpage at www.jfsmetrowest.org/volunteer

Jewish Family Service of MetroWest is a comprehensive social service agency providing mental health counseling and support services on a non-discriminatory basis. Established in 1861, JFS offers an expanding array of services to meet growing community needs. For children and families, JFS provides individual, couple, child and family counseling, play therapy, support groups, school and synagogue based social work services, family life education and other assistance needed to support healthy families. Rachel Coalition, a division of JFS, provides domestic violence services for all members of the family affected by domestic violence. JFS also offers a wide range of services for older adults and their families including case management services, counseling, caregiver education, volunteer friendly visitors and specialized programs for Holocaust survivors. For more information, please call (973) 765-9050 or visit www.jfsmetrowest.org.

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