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FEBRUARY VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Because YOU are JFS...
In this Issue
Brrrr it's cold outside!  But we are hardy New Englanders and we know that we can make it through the winter season.  Some people actually like all this white stuff!  To warm your heart this month you can send Valentines to your favorite people and you can volunteer for JFS.  There are many different ways you can help those in need in your community.  Just ask and we will help you find just the right fit! In this issue you'll find a volunteer spotlight, an amazing video from a Holocaust survivor, heart health and more!
Volunteer Spotlight
Name: Judy Faust
Occupation: Videographer/filmmaker         
Time with JFS: 9 months
Volunteer Position: Media Specialist

Judy joined JFS in the spring of 2014 and we are so happy she did!  As a  videographer and filmmaker who owns and operates Connect Your Stories Video Productions, she produces videos for businesses, non-profits, as well as for  personal and professional purposes.  After looking up Jewish Family Services of MetroWest in 2009 as a newcomer to Massachusetts, Judy became involved in the organization and found it to be very helpful.  Judy believes in paying back after years of participating in and benefiting from many of the services and programs that JFS offered her and continues to offer others.  Now she is volunteering her videography and production services to JFS and it's great to have her onboard.  Judy is really happy to use her talents in an organization designed to help others, and one that particularly happens to be part of her Jewish heritage.  In her spare time, she loves to, "...dance, walk in the woods, learn about improving health and medicine and enjoy friendships."  
 
Thanks Judy for becoming an important part of the JFS team by offering your services and talent to our volunteer programs.  Our new recruitment videos are a wonderful tool that we will able to use for years to come! 
Powerful Story from Max Michelson
Max Michelson, a Holocaust survivor and former president of the JFS of Metrowest Board of Directors, shares his childhood story of struggle and survival during World War II in Latvia. He recently came to the monthly JFS staff meeting to share his powerful story, and we captured it on film for years to come. Active in the founding of JFS, he has spent a lot of time over the years volunteering with the agency!
Holocaust Survivor Max Michelson Shares His Story at JFS
Holocaust Survivor Max Michelson Shares His Story at JFS
February is American Heart Month

The human heart is often viewed as a symbol of love, especially during the month of February.


 

It's important to learn the risks for heart disease and stroke and stay healthy.

According to many medical sources we can help ourselves and those we love

by controlling a number of risk factors by doing the following:

 

  • Improving our diet
  • Participating in lots of physical activity
  • Eliminating tobacco use
  • Preventing and controlling obesity
  • Monitoring high blood pressure
  • Preventing and controlling high cholesterol
  • Preventing and controlling diabetes

 

Isn't this a good time to start working on these important risk factors and show your heart some love? 

T-Shirt & Hours
This month volunteers contributed 184 hours in the Metrowest community! Thanks to everyone for all your hard work during this first month of what can become a great year for volunteering! 

Once you've reached 20 hours of service you are eligible for a t-shirt. This month the following  volunteers reached that benchmark!
  • Laura Desir
  • Adriana Giordano
  • Sarah Levine
  • Lily Parker

Let us know how you'd like to collect your t-shirt! For those who have previously been eligible and have not gotten your shirt yet, let us know! 

 

Also - remember this is based off the number of hours recorded in our system. If you volunteer for programs other than Wilson or Patient Navigator the system does not auto calculate your hours. If you don't know how to enter your hours please let us know and we'll help you!

Program Spotlight
Sustaining Our Elders

 

Elder Services encompass homecare, case management, and wellness programs at senior housing facilities and in the community.  Here are some of the areas we focus on, including the volunteer opportunities:

  • Affordable Geriatric Care Management  - Independence and dignity for elders. Peace of mind for families.
  • Homecare 
  • Patient Navigator - trained volunteers who accompany seniors to medical appointments 
  • Friendly visitors - Visit a senior or person with a disability each week encouraging positive connections.  You can be a Friendly Visitor volunteer and help alleviate loneliness.
  • Chronic disease management
  • Healthy Partners
Did you know that JFS' Elder Services Team helps over 1,700 elders age in place at home in a safe and dignified manner.   Visit our website to learn more about these services!
Upcoming Opportunities
JFS has lots of upcoming and ongoing opportunities. Here are a few of the new opportunities available. You can visit our website to learn more about the ongoing opportunities available.
  • Lunch and Learn March 18th, Hearing Loss and Aging at Temple Israel in Natick! Need 2-3 volunteers to help with set up, registration, and clean up.
  • Patient Navigator training March 23rd, 9am-3pm. For new volunteers!
  • Family Friend Mentor: Become a family friend mentor and help a newly arrived refugee/immigrant family adapt to a new home, new culture and new life in the United States of America. You can kindly welcome a family into our community by serving as family friend, a guide and an advocate. Your mentoring experience would involve different forms such as home visits, going on scheduled appointment, or events together. Mentors help refugee/immigrant families become familiar with new systems and community resources and help families learn how to manage with challenges they may encounter. 
  • Pre-Employment Mentor: Help refugees prepare for their first jobs in the U.S. as a Pre-Employment Mentor! JFS of Metrowest would like provide newly arrived refugees/immigrants with the opportunity to learn critical skills they will use in their search for employment. The Pre-Employment Mentor will assist with job search, building a resume, filling out applications, job-related English vocabulary, practicing for interviews, and work appropriate behavior. This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in teaching, tutoring and employment services, in addition to learning about local refugee/immigrant communities. 

Please contact us if you are interested in any of these or other volunteer opportunities.  Volunteers, staff and supporters make us proud of the work that we do.  Please tell your friends about the great work JFS does in servicing 4,000 people each year.  You are our best recruiters!

Courtesy of our spotlighted volunteer this month, please help share our new recruitment videos for Patient Navigator and Mentors at Woodrow Wilson!

Connecting Volunteers with Older Adults
Connecting Volunteers with Older Adults

Bringing Volunteers Together with Elementary Students
Bringing Volunteers Together with Elementary Students


We are JFS!
Happy February!

Sarah Roth, MSW
Coordinator of Community Engagement
& Immigrant Services
508-875-3100 x320


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475 Franklin St. Suite 101, Framingham, MA 01702