Volunteer Spotlights

April was National Volunteer Appreciation Month! JFS held many appreciation events for our volunteers. Here are a few highlights:

College Avenue Center and Foodmobile
More than 50 volunteers in the Foodmobile, College Avenue Center, and Nutrition programs came together on April 20 for a volunteer appreciation luncheon. The theme was Asian inspired, from the origami decorations on the table to the music playing in the background. Upon arrival, volunteers wrote down why it was their good fortune to volunteer and placed these slips in a giant paper fortune cookie. Some memorable quotations were, “I enjoy volunteering because it makes others happy,” and “I like to see the smiles on the faces of the people I am helping.” It was a great event and the volunteers walked away feeling appreciated and acknowledged.

College Avenue Center Nutrition Program
Submitted by Kjersten Langill, College Avenue Center Program Assistant
The College Avenue Center is proud to introduce Mike and Donna, who are employed by Life, Inc. They are job coaches for the special guys and gals who assist our kitchen staff in the Nutrition Program. Most of the current crew has been working at our job site for nearly five years. They are in a community-based program that is funded by the State of California through the Regional Center. After finishing high school, they enter the Trace program, which transitions them from school to a job training and work experience program.

Irina Kryuchkova, Nutrition Coordinator, is like a mother to this group of dedicated individuals who perform their jobs diligently and cheerfully. Once they serve food to the older adults, they sit down to dine and socialize until it’s time for clean up. The entire group feels “at home” here and considers JFS and the Center’s participants as their extended family. They enjoy many activities at the Center, especially the exercise, painting, and dance classes. Their love and appreciation for the Center is boundless, and we are richer for having them.

Hand Up Youth Food Pantry
Last month, some of our dedicated Hand Up Youth Food Pantry volunteers gathered for a special occasion: to be appreciated for their service. Hand Up depends on the help of more than 1,000 volunteers each year, who contribute nearly 5,000 hours of service throughout the year.

The night began with a dinner and awards ceremony, followed by volunteers assembling more than 600 food bags, sorting pallets of food, and organizing the pantry shelves. One volunteer shared, “This has been a really great experience for me and my dad. Not only does it feel really good to help out, but it helps me to build my resume for college.”

So many Hand Up volunteers begin their experience ready to give back to the community. They quickly realize that they are receiving just as much from the volunteer experience as they are giving.  To become involved as a Hand Up volunteer, click here to view our available opportunities and register online. Returning volunteers can log into their account here.

On the Go
On the Go hosted a volunteer appreciation event to celebrate their volunteers for their amazing contributions to On the Go programs. With more than 100 volunteers in attendance, the event was as lively and fun as the group of volunteers themselves! Councilmember Sherri Lightner expressed her thanks to the volunteers and staff and announced April 27, 2012 was Jewish Family Service of San Diego On the Go Day in San Diego County! On the Go Rides & Smiles® staff presented five-year volunteer awards to Edgar Leon, Pat Kramer, Ruth Linder, Oscar Teal, Walter Heidelberger, and Betty Christenson. What a committed group of San Diegans!

Project SARAH
Project SARAH (Stop Abusive Relationships At Home) offers monthly clinics to provide free legal assistance with family law matters for clients. The legal assistance addresses divorce, custody, child support, alimony, restraining orders, etc. Attorneys volunteer their time to provide information about the legal process, client’s rights, and advice regarding such matters. Project SARAH staff had an appreciation dinner to express how greatly the service is appreciated by clients and how lucky we are to have volunteers who are so dedicated to the program!

University City Older Adult Center
Submitted by Aviva Saad, University City Older Adult Center Program Coordinator 

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have a lovely young volunteer, Ariana, who commits her free time to helping us out at the University City Older Adult Center and improving the lives of older adults in our community. Ariana has a sweet, easygoing personality and is warm and friendly to everyone. Many of our members think of her as their own granddaughter. Ariana graciously does whatever we ask her to do and always has a smile for everyone. We know that someday Ariana will leave us to pursue the next adventure that life brings her way, but until then we will enjoy the time she spends with us every week. Thank you, Ariana, for being a part of our UCOAC family!

Along with Ariana, all UCOAC volunteers were honored for April’s Volunteer Appreciation month. Instead of serving lunch, they were surprised with an appreciation luncheon, a photo montage, and a gift from Center staff. The older adults that attend the center and the staff always appreciate the volunteers’ hard work and dedication, but this day was entirely devoted to recognizing their efforts. Thank you for all that you do!

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URGENT** Bikkur Holim—Friendly Visitor Program

The Bikkur Holim—Friendly Visitor Program is in desperate need of volunteers. The program matches friendly volunteers with Jewish isolated and ill individuals. Volunteers make a one-year commitment to visit with their match for approximately four hours a month, providing conversation, support, friendship, and a connection to the Jewish community. There are many individuals who are waiting for volunteers. If you are looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community, complete a volunteer application and mark Bikkur Holim as your volunteer choice. 

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Learn How You Can Be Jewish Big Pal

Mentors are people just like you and me, but their commitment to making a difference makes them everyday heroes—transforming lives and transforming our community. You can be a hero, too, by joining the Jewish BIGPals program. Just a few hours a month can make a big difference in a child's life. All interested volunteers ages 19 and up are invited to apply. For more information, call (858) 637-3371.

Examples of the impact of Jewish BIGPals
Big Pal Derek Hyman featured in UT Volunteer Spotlight>>
Big Pal William Friedel featured in UT Volunteer Spotlight>>
NBC 7/39 News features Big Pal Derek Hyman>>

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Be the Match – Community Member Needs Bone Marrow Transplant

A member of our community has leukemia and needs a lifesaving bone marrow transplant. He is of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi). It takes only a couple of minutes to register—you are not committing to anything and can back out at any time. Visit www.marrow.org and click on “Join the Registry”. This will take you to a page where you will select “Join Now”. Then you'll be asked to make an appointment to give blood.

Thank you for helping – you might be the lifesaving match!

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		Celebrating a Special Milestone or Event? Start an Online Personal Fundraising Campaign It’s easy! In just a few simple steps, you can build a customized webpage for your special cause and be a champion for Jewish Family Service. Become a Champion today! Visit www.jfssd.org/personal to learn more.

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