This fall, Jewish Family Service and the Center for Jewish Care celebrated the strength and resiliency of 59 Holocaust Survivors residing in San Diego and Orange Counties. During World War II, many Survivors were denied the opportunity to celebrate their Bar or Bat Mitzvahs when they came of age. Thanks to the generosity of the Honig Family Foundation, we were able to host a B’nai Mitzvah celebration on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
JFS volunteer Linda Durr was quoted on local news speaking about her experience volunteering at the Corner Market in relation to a report conducted on the Jewish community in San Diego.
Recently, we sat down with Chris Schmidt, a JFS Home-Delivered Meals volunteer driver, to find out what drives him to give back.
Q: What motivates you to volunteer?
A: I am motivated to volunteer because I believe that reaching out to those in need creates meaningful connections and builds trust within our community.
Q: Can you share a meaningful or favorite moment during your volunteer experience?
A: The privilege to listen to personal stories that clients have to share is among the most meaningful experiences that I’ve had while volunteering.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about volunteering at JFS?
A: I wish that other people knew how rewarding it feels to see the smile on a client’s face when their Home Delivered Meals arrive!
Q: When your friends/family ask you about your volunteering, what do you tell them?
A: I tell friends and family that volunteering for JFS is a great way to meet other dedicated volunteers, and to foster a more compassionate community.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their volunteer action shots! We love seeing our volunteers in action, so don’t miss your chance to be featured in our next newsletter or social media post. Email your favorite volunteer photos to [email protected].
Meet Francisco ‘Paco’ Carbajal, the San Diego Rapid Response Network Migrant Shelter Services’ new Assistant Director of Staff Support. Paco has nearly ten years of experience with conflict resolution, restorative justice, and criminal justice, in addition to volunteer recruitment, onboarding, organizing, training, and culture building. Paco is excited to jump into his new role and looks forward to meeting and working with Shelter volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who responded to our Shelter call to action! Since we sent the call out, our wonderful Shelter volunteers have contributed 833 volunteer hours! Check out our Shelter video to find out how you can help.
The JFS Friendly Match Program matches older adults with caring volunteers who offer companionship and a steady connection to the community through regular in-home visits. We strive to create a mutually enriching experience, believing that two people enjoying each other’s company lifts the spirits of both. Learn how you can be matched with an isolated older adult in your neighborhood!
To say thank you for all your hard work, we would like to invite you to join us on Thursday, February 8 for a Valentine’s celebration! Decorate cookies for yourself or a loved one, create a Valentine for an older adult in our community, and connect with fellow volunteers and your Volunteer Engagement team! We can’t wait to share the love with you!
The JFS Joan & Irwin Jacobs Campus will be closed on the following holidays:
President’s Day — Monday, February 19
Volunteer Engagement is now hosting in-person Volunteer Orientations. Questions about onboarding? Need help with Galaxy Digital? We’re here to help!
Join us for our next orientation on Tuesday, February 20, 2:00-3:00pm.
Please contact [email protected] or (858) 637-3050 to RSVP.
We’re making it even easier for you to share your ideas. Use our Virtual Suggestion Box to send us all your questions, concerns, and feedback!
Thank you for being a JFS Volunteer!
Every day, volunteers make our impactful work possible. We appreciate your time and dedication to uplifting our community.
Sunni Robertson
Director
Kim Molin
Lead Coordinator
Jennifer Labrada Valencia
Coordinator
Anna Davis-Noe
Coordinator
Together we’re building a stronger, healthier, more resilient San Diego.
Questions? Please contact us at [email protected] or (858) 637‑3050.
