Our Vision Bergen Volunteers turns caring into meaningful action by engaging volunteers to improve lives and strengthen the communities. This is achieved through volunteerism in community programs, community engagement, and civic leadership. We provide critical services to youth, families, veterans, seniors, and those who are economically disadvantaged in our community. We connect volunteers with our own programs and those offered by our agency partners in the nonprofit community. We provide leadership and professional development opportunities for individuals living and working in Bergen County. We provide education about our community and train individuals to be civically active. For 55 years we have matched needs with resources, and will continue to do so for years to come. Our work is made possible through the generous contributions received from corporate sponsors, individual donors, endowments, gifts in-kind, grants and more. This continued support allows us to provide service to more than 7,000 individuals annually. Thank you to those who make our work possible.
Our Staff Nina Bachrach, CEO Marisa Felice, IT and Database Manager Tim Franco, Making-It-Home Olivia Hall, Special Events Manager Ann-Marie Jonas, Director of Development Melissa LaRobardier, All Wrapped Up, VITA, Redefining Retirement, Campership, Agency Membership, All in a Day’s Work Donna Leibe, Administrative Director Cynthia Massarsky, Making-It-Home Jodi Murphy, Communications Manager, Bergen LEADS Coordinator Michele Ogden, CHEER, CHORE Lisa Tredici, Mentoring, Bergen READS
Community Programs
CHORE Community Helpers Offering Repairs and Empathy CHORE helps Bergen County seniors and those with disabilities remain safe in their homes by offering repair services. CHORE Jobs Include:
Installing grab bars and wooden banisters Replacing outlets and switches Repairing leaky faucets Installing door bells and locks Changing light bulbs and smoke alarm batteries
CHORE does not service emergencies.
CHEER Chore Homemaker Education Encouragement Rehabilitation CHEER provides a helping hand to seniors and those with disabilities to enable them to live safely and independently in their homes. Volunteers and clients forge lasting relationships by offering companionship and whenever possible, create opportunities for their CHEER clients to be engaged in their communities. CHEER volunteers visit weekly to help home-bound seniors with tasks such as grocery shopping and light errands such as prescription pickup, library book returns, or the post office. There are no fees for these programs. Donations are gladly accepted. CHEER and CHORE are funded in part by the Bergen County Division of Senior Services. For more information about CHORE and CHEER contact Michele at: mogden@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.489.9456
Community Programs
Mentoring The Mentoring program provides individuals with one-on-one long and short-term support. Our staff and volunteers help mentees learn about the resources available within the community while tapping into their strengths to identify and strive towards specific personal improvement goals. Our mentoring team enlists, trains, matches, and supports volunteers to respond to specific needs of the elderly, youth, and families throughout the community. By providing friendship, guidance, and support, mentors can help mentees strengthen their relationships and achieve their goals. To become mentor, or request a mentor, visit: https://www.bergenvolunteers.org/mentoring For more information contact Lisa at: ltredici@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.221.4706
Making-It-Home Making-It-Home brings gently-used furniture to formerly homeless veterans, survivors of domestic violence, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, who are moving from emergency shelter into unfurnished apartments. This free service enables our clients to live in safe and comfortable environments that improve their quality of life and ability to achieve greater self-sufficiency and a brighter future. We “make their house a home.” For more information contact Cynthia at: cmassarsky@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.289.8444
Community Programs
All Wrapped Up All Wrapped Up, Bergen Volunteers’ holiday giving program, matches individuals and families in need with generous donors from the community. Clients are referred by agency partners, who provide wish lists for the essentials they need. Often these gifts are the only ones these individuals and families will receive during the holiday season. For more information contact Melissa at: melissal@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.221.4705
Bergen READS Bergen READS combats illiteracy in Bergen County by training Reading Buddies to work one on one with students in grades K-4. Reading Buddies serve as tutors, advocates, friends and mentors, meeting individually with students each week. Buddies help elementary public schools students enjoy and improve their reading skills in a comfortable and friendly environment. Volunteers for this program must be 18 and older. For more information contact Lisa at: ltredici@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.221.4706
VITA VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS-certified program that provides free tax assistance to low-to-moderate income level individuals and families, those with disabilities, senior citizens, and English language learners, who might need assistance with their tax forms. For more information contact Melissa at: melissal@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.221.4705
Community Programs
Redefining Retirement Redefining Retirement connects retirees with enjoyable, worthwhile volunteer opportunities through our many agency partners. Based on the retirees interests, life experience, and skills, our Redefining Retirement liaisons match volunteers with opportunities in their community. Our liaisons provide the initial contact to the agency, easing the process of volunteering for the retirees. Retirees choose how much of their time they want to volunteer. For more information contact Melissa at: melissal@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.221.4705
Campership Fund We believe every child deserves the opportunity to play, expand their horizons through new experiences, and gain confidence by learning new skills and making new friends. Campership’s mission is to help level the playing field (pun intended) for families whose financial circumstances would otherwise exclude their children from experiencing a summer program of fun and creativity in a safe environment. Campership strengthens and celebrates communities by connecting families needing help with donor partners wanting to make a meaningful difference. For more information contact Melissa at: melissal@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.221.4705
Civic Engagement
Friday Forum Our Friday Forums are a powerful networking and learning events that attract 200+ leaders from every sector of Bergen County. These events feature high-profile speakers, stimulating conversations, and networking opportunities. Our Friday Forums invite community leaders to present on current Bergen County issues to an audience of over 200 attendees. Past speakers have included NJ Attorney General Gurbir Singh Grewal, Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Holy Name Hospital CEO Michael Maron, and television broadcaster Steve Adubato. For more information contact Olivia at: ohall@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.489.1091
Bergen LEADS Bergen LEADS inspires students at the high school, college, and adult level to learn from policy makers and organizations throughout the county. The 10-month curriculum includes seminar days, executive coaching, site visits, speaker panels, and a group project through which participants bring their collective wisdom, individual perspectives, and diverse experiences to take on community issues. Interactive, fast-paced and experiential, Bergen LEADS helps you see your community through new eyes. For more information contact Jodi at: jmurphy@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.489.9474
Community Engagement
Lunch & Learn Our Lunch & Learns are an opportunity to acquire knowledge while enjoying your lunch. These events take place over zoom, and include a wide variety of topics. Past topics include, Real Estate Trends, the Statue of Liberty, and Navigating College. Our Lunch & Learns take place over zoom. For more information contact Olivia at: ohall@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.489.1091
Nonprofit Engagement One of the major pillars of our mission at Bergen Volunteers is to partner with the nonprofit sector across the broader Bergen County region, strengthening our community. We are committed to becoming a strategic partner to all nonprofits by helping each organization to fulfill its mission. For this purpose, we have developed an array of services and benefits for our agency members. These offerings are aimed at helping agency partners improve their effectiveness, thus allowing you to have greater impact on the community they serve. For more information contact Melissa at: melissal@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.221.4705
Community Engagement
Corporate Engagement Bergen Volunteers encourages workplace volunteerism and corporate social responsibility through corporate days of service. Coordinating Over 600 professionals attended our Fifth large group or series corporate days Friday luncheon to further their of service requires considerable time knowledge about County issues commitment, project management and the awareness of community and the Bergen Volunteer Center. needs. Over 30% of businesses in Bergen County are nonprofits. Without the resources, finding a charitable organization that requires the specific help you’re looking to give can be a challenge! We handle all the details including agency relations, project development and management, marketing and recruiting materials, coordination of meals and snacks, and photos and press releases. For more information contact Ann-Marie at: ajonas@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.489.1952
Individual Volunteer Matching We offer individual and group volunteer opportunities within our organization and with partner agencies through personal guidance and our volunteer database. We promote 500+ opportunities annually in an effort to create a thriving Bergen County where residents are civically active. For more information contact Ann-Marie at: ajonas@bergenvolunteers.org | 201.489.1952
7,000+ Lives Impacted 5,000+ CHEER Hours 4,500+ CHORE Repairs 5,000+ Mentor Matches 1,300+ Volunteers 25,000 Hours Volunteers Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities
Invest in us and make a difference. Our work is made possible in large part by individual donors like you. Your donation allows us to provide service to 7,000+ individuals annually. Please explore the many ways you can give to Bergen Volunteers.
Direct donation through our website
Recurring donations
Legacy Gifts
In-kind Donations
Text-to-Donate
Adopt-A-Senior
Sponsor-A-Mentee
Adopt-A-Student
Items of Value
Fund Endowment
Donor Advised Funds
Honor/Tribute
Matching Funds
Scholarship Funds
Gifts of Stock
Amazon Smile shopping incentive program For more information, or to donate, visit: www.bergenvolunteers.org/donate-today
Donations to Bergen Volunteers are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Bergen Volunteers is recognized by the IRS as a not for profit 501(c)3 charitable organization. Please consult with your financial advisor for the tax implications of your donation.
64 Passaic Street Hackensack, NJ 07601 201.489.9454 www.bergenvolunteers.org
Register on our Volunteer Database: www.bergenvolunteers.org/getconnected