July 2014
JULY VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Because YOU are JFS...

In This Issue
We are very excited that summer is upon us! Last month we had a wonderful event for all the volunteers to celebrate the work that you do. In this newsletter you'll learn more about the event, the award winners, volunteer spotlight, upcoming activities, and more!

Volunteer Spotlight

Name: Horizon Technology
Volunteer Position: Multiple - Reducing Achievement Gaps

Horizon Technology is a local business that has really become one of the most important community service relationships that JFS has with any company. It started a few years ago with conversations about how to get their employees engaged in the community and has developed into an amazing partnership. Having given over 300 hours to the Reducing Achievement Gaps program, they are satisfying the passion to help children and families in need.


By the Numbers:
  • Twice a month 2-3 employees are sent to act as tutors and mentors with All Stars and Math Academy - 145 hours
  • Organizing and facilitating a field day for 65 students - 30 hours
  • Working with the school to promote leadership qualities in the classroom, holding an awards ceremony for students nominated - 10 hours
  • Helping put on a Thanksgiving food distribution for 150 families doing everything from picking up turkeys (yes that's 150 of them), packing the bags, and then handing them out to families - 60 hours
  • Shopping, delivering, and sponsoring a holiday dreams program providing 40 children with gifts for the holidays - 60 hours
Volunteer Appreciation Event




Thanks everyone for joining us at the Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Natick Community Organic Farm! It was a wonderful event with good food (provided by Jennifer's Gourmet Take Out & Catering, and drinks donated by Trader Joe's), good company and great volunteers! Visit our Facebook page to see pictures!

We had some amazing award winners:

CEO Roll Up Your Sleeves Award Winners: 

Peggy Barry: Peggy is well known throughout the agency as a tireless volunteer who is extraordinarily generous with her time and talents. She began helping with the Development department and quickly got involved in other ways. She is a valued member of the Patient Navigator team helping older adults get access to medical appointments. She lends a hand wherever one is needed. (Pictured above bottom left)

Doreen Goldberg: Doreen is an invaluable asset to the family assistance program. She is not just any food pantry volunteer; she helps manage the food pantry - she shops, sorts, and stocks. She has rolled up her sleeves to sort many cans of beans and boxes of cereal all to make sure that JFS can continue to serve family's needing food assistance. (Pictured above top right)


Ellen Bloch Youth Leadership Award

Anait Baziyants: Anait graduated Natick High School last week. She has been involved with JFS Russian programming since she was in elementary school. She attended many of JFS' youth enrichment classes, enjoying our art classes and performing in several of our theater productions. Through the years, Anait was always ready to assist us when needed. When she started high school, she came to JFS regularly as our welcoming greeter and event photographer. She assisted in obtaining paperwork from families, keeping children entertained during events, helping set up and clean up. We could always count on her to assist us any way. She will be attending college in the fall with hopes to be a lawyer. We know with her determination and talent she will surely reach that goal! (Pictured above bottom right)

Jordana Periera: Jordana volunteers with JFS' after-school program, All Stars, acting as a role model and mentor to 3rd grade students. She is bilingual in Portuguese and English and has been a huge asset in working with the bilingual students by intertwining culture and learning. She sets the bar high for volunteering committing herself to come weekly to volunteer and has recruited a large group of her friends to volunteer with the program as well. She is friendly and caring with the students while also demonstrating authority. Not only does she giver her time to JFS, she also participates in after-school clubs and teaches CCD to kids at her church. She is flexible and excited to try new things, in fact is in Africa right now on a summer trip!
T-Shirts
JFS volunteers donated 116 hours this month! Those of you who were at the volunteer appreciation event now know that at a value of $27 an hour that translates to $3,132!

Those that reached 20 hours and are eligible for a t-shirt this month are:
  • Jessica Flagg
Program Spotlight
Friendly Visitor

Relationships and personal connections are vital at any stage of the life cycle. The friendly visitors program is designed to build relationships.  Our friendly visitors program trains responsible volunteers to spend a couple hours eachold-man-woman.jpg week with an elderly or disabled person. The pair might go out for lunch, see a movie, shop, or just chat. JFS social workers train the volunteers and match them with clients based on similar needs and interests. The social worker provides ongoing support for the volunteer throughout the Friendly Visitor relationship, which is a minimum commitment of one year. 
  
If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a Friendly Visitor, visit our website to apply.
Upcoming Opportunities
During the summer JFS, while many people are away there are fewer volunteer opportunities - BUT we are currently recruiting for:

Please contact us or visit our website to learn more about each of these opportunities.


For those of you who were unable to attend the volunteer appreciation event, we missed you and I wanted to share my closing from the evening because it applies to ALL of you.
 
You are the face of the agency and are at the heart of what we do. You should be proud of what you've accomplished. In the past year

- You've tutored and mentored 65 elementary students

- You've packed 1,430 bags of fresh fruit and vegetables

- You've accompanied seniors to over 300 medical appointments

- You've spent over 700 hours visiting with isolated elders

- You've helped us have our most successful Seize the Dream ever and

- You've helped provide support and guidance to immigrants looking to further their education or secure a new job

You are JFS and while you all may volunteer with different programs, you have something big in common. You are standing up for those left behind in our community.

Happy July!

Sarah Roth, MSW
Coordinator of Community Engagement
& Immigrant Services
508-875-3100 x320
sroth@jfsmw.org
Stay Connected
Like us on Facebook       View our profile on LinkedIn   
475 Franklin St. Suite 101 Framingham, MA 01702 � 508.875.3100