Hands-On Philanthropy
Women’s Philanthrophy is pleased to offer many Hands-On Philanthropy opportunities with our partner agencies in the Greater Boston community. Some of these opportunties are new, and some are ongoing. All are ideal for women who have limited time, want to connect with others and make a bigger difference.
GATEWAYS: ACCESS TO JEWISH EDUCATION Gateways B’nei Mitzvah Program needs adult volunteer tutors for this exciting program that helps children with special needs celebrate this meaningful milestone. Program is a one-year commitment for one hour per week. Tutor training and support are provided.
JEWISH COMMUNITY HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY (JCHE) eelie Hearts Sewing Project F Work with seniors who live at a JCHE site to sew “Feelie Hearts” for Harvard and BU medical students and DanaFarber cancer patients. This is a perfect opportunity for relationship-building with an intergenerational focus. Supplies and instruction are provided. Newton: Every Monday, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. First meeting: Monday, September 30 JCHE Coleman House 677 Winchester Street, Newton Framingham: Every Monday, 11:00 a.m. – Noon First meeting: Monday, October 21 JCHE Shillman House 49 Edmands Road, Framingham
J.O.Y. Shabbat J.O.Y. (Jewish. Older. Younger.) Shabbat gives you and your family the opportunity to welcome Shabbat and the Jewish holidays with the seniors at JCHE’s Golda Meir House. Challah and juice will be served. Dietary laws will be observed. Open to all families. JCHE Golda Meir House 160 Stanton Avenue, Auburndale Friday, October 4, 4 p.m. Friday, December 6, 4 p.m. Friday, February 7, 4 p.m. Friday, April 4, 4 p.m. Friday, May 2, 4 p.m.
Friendly Visitor Program Connect with JCHE seniors in a unique and personal way by visiting community members who do not have regular visitors. Requires a six month commitment for one hour per week. Program Facilitation Have a skill you can share? Become a leader for an educational, social, fitness or cultural program such as poetry, theater, line dancing, or on how to use a computer, an iPad, or Facebook. This opportunity available at the Newton campus only. Requires a six month commitment for one hour per week.
JEWISH BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS (JBBBS) Big and Little Become a mentor and friend to a child living in your area who can benefit from your time and energy. A JBBBS staff member will accompany you during your initial meeting, and will provide ongoing support throughout the duration of your match. Bigs plan two to four outings per month, for two to four hours each. Requires a minimum commitment of one year Friend 2 Friend JBBBS matches volunteers with people who have disabilities and are looking to establish sustaining friendships. Volunteers visit with program participants who are 18 or older, have mild to moderate disabilities, possess conversational skills and can manage basic independent living skills. F2F matches meet individually two to four times a month, and meeting times are flexible. In Schools Program Be a Big Woman on Campus. Meet and have fun with a Little at a local elementary or middle school for approximately one hour during the Little’s lunchtime, usually between 11:30 and 1:30. Bigs have the flexibility to meet with their Littles two to four times a month throughout the school year. Ideal for volunteers looking for weekday opportunities.
JEWISH COMMUNIY RELATIONS COUNCIL (JCRC) Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy Tutoring Work with a child at a local school for one hour a week on literacy. The GBJCL provides professional training to its volunteers to cover the core concepts of literacy, supporting students, sensitivity, working with diverse learners and building a positive relationship as a role model and learning mentor. A full school-year commitment is required, but the day of the week and time is flexible.
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METROWEST (JFS) Reducing Achievement Gaps Mentor and tutor 3rd, 4th and 5th graders by helping them with homework, math, science and enrichment activities. Volunteers needed Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Framingham elementary schools. Healthy Aging Lead senior exercise classes, arts and crafts, music groups or share your special interest with elders. Volunteers also needed for data collection. Friendly Visitors Visit a senior or person with a disability. Provide transportation, help with errands or just chat. JFSMW provides ongoing support for the volunteer throughout the Friendly Visitor relationship, which is a minimum commitment of one year. Share Your Skills with a Family Many families could benefit from your skills. Consider helping with tasks such as small home repairs, money management or another special skill. Use your knowledge to help them get back on their feet.
JEWISH FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICE (JF&CS) Family Table (in Waltham and Marblehead) Volunteers needed to help set up the pantry, sort food donations, package and deliver orders for recipient families on Sundays. Children are welcome to volunteer with you, and you can participate as few or as many times throughout the year as you’d like. Sign up is required three weeks in advance of the distribution. And save January 5, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to volunteer with other Women’s Philanthropy members at the Waltham location. Bring your whole family to show them the power of volunteering! Registration is required two weeks in advance.
The Marketplace Volunteers choose at least one two-hour shift to help with the Family Table Marketplace weekday food distribution. Jobs may include handing out produce, restocking canned goods, or helping clients carry bags. The Family Table Marketplace operates one Tuesday and Wednesday per month at the JF&CS headquarters in Waltham. Russian-language skills are a plus. Visiting Moms in Boston and the North Shore Dedicated, compassionate moms are needed to visit with pregnant women and parents of newborns in their homes one hour weekly through the first months of infancy or until the baby’s first birthday. Training is provided by JF&CS. Candidates must be an experienced mom with the flexibility to attend a bi-monthly, two-hour supervision group during weekday morning hours. This opportunity requires approximately eight to ten hours per month. CHAI Shabbat Program Provide a meaningful Shabbat experience for adults with disabilities by facilitating a Friday night Shabbat candle lighting ceremony (candle lighting, kiddush and motzi) from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in a JF&CS CHAI residence. Choose to participate at one residence or visit the five homes in Brighton and Newton on a rotating basis. Training, supplies, and ongoing support will be provided, and children’s participation is welcome. Requires one hour per Friday and volunteers may choose one or more Fridays per month.
Holocaust Survivor Support Schechter Holocaust Services is looking for compassionate, dedicated volunteers to call or visit with a Holocaust survivor one or more times a month. Russianlanguage skills are a plus.
JEWISH VOCATIONAL SERVICES (JVS) Literacy & Adult Basic Education Tutor individuals in computer skills and assist in the computer lab, or help with English and math classes. GED & High School Diploma Programs Assist adults seeking a high school diploma/GED/college enrollment program with reading, writing and/or math and general science skills. Career Advisory Network Give informational interviews about your industry/field one hour every few months and provide networking opportunities to professionals searching for a job or making a career transition. Job Preparation and Search Assistance Volunteers are needed to conduct practice interviews with JVS clients who are preparing for internships or full-time employment. You can also volunteer in the library helping clients format cover letters and resumes, complete on-line applications, and use the internet to search for jobs. Volunteers can help clients find appropriate publications/websites, as well as assist with printing, copying and faxing materials they are using in their job search.
CJP CJP WP Celebrate Shabbat Program WP members can welcome Jewish families new to your area with a Shabbat basket filled with goodies and great information about all that our community has to offer. Help by providing the names and addresses of new families, acquiring items for the baskets, or delivering them. Commit as much or as little time as makes sense for your schedule!
For more information on any of these opportunities, please contact our Women’s Philanthropy Hands-on Philanthropy Chairs: Laure Garnick at lgarnick@comcast.net or (781) 642-0612 Laurie Gershkowitz at lgershkowitz@gmail.com or (617) 281-8086
For more information about other Women’s Philanthropy events and opportunities, please contact Sara Eisenberg at sarae@cjp.org or (617) 457 8591.