September
VOLUNTEER NEWSLETTER
Because YOU are JFS...
In this Issue
Back to School in September 
 
I'm sure I'm not the first person to say, "this summer flew by." It will probably still be warm for a while, but the students know that the summer is over when bedtime goes back to normal. The parents know that it's time to get into gear for the carpooling and sandwich making, and the teachers have known for a while that summer is over when they set up bulletin boards in their hot classrooms in order to be welcoming for their students.  
 
September is the start of the school year and the beginning of excitement for the new term from kindergarten through graduate school. The cycles of the year are predictable; the seasons and the holidays on the calendar guide us to organize our minds around what to expect and when. This is how we run our lives.  
 
In September, we have an unofficial national holiday on the 5th called Cheese Pizza Day for all the pizza lovers. Pizza is such a popular food that it's practically a staple. 
 
It's also National Preparedness Month. It is suggested that you make and communicate your plans now to stay safe during community disasters such as floods, power outages, and hurricanes.
 
For years greeting card companies have been trying to boost National Grandparents Day which is the Sunday after Labor Day. As the number of grandparents in the United States continues to rise to 80 million or more by 2020, (National Day Calendar.com), the significance of this holiday will probably grow. How did this holiday come about? We'll focus on that story in a bit.              
 
Who is the spotlight volunteer this month? It's Paul Berkson!
 
Make a difference, VOLUNTEER!  Recommend a friend too!
Volunteer Spotlight
Name:  Paul Berkson       
Occupation:  Student, senior at Wayland High School                    
Time with JFS:  One year
Volunteer Position: All Stars Mentor

We are thrilled to spotlight Paul Berkson this month. Paul decided to volunteer with the All Stars Mentor Program because he knew he liked working with kids.  He had worked at a day camp in Wayland for a few years and really enjoyed the experience. A friend who had been working at All Stars told him about the program and he knew that this would be a good fit for him as well. He thought  the program sounded interesting and wanted to try it. We are so happy that he did! Paul enjoys helping kids improve their math and English skills and he said it's a lot of fun to participate in the program. In addition to the good feeling he gets from helping the students, Paul enjoys working with the other volunteers. 
In his spare time, Paul enjoys being with his family and friends as well as going to the beach in Maine. 

Thank you Paul for volunteering for the All Stars Program.  It's wonderful that as a student you find the time to help other students younger than you.  Volunteering your time is an unselfish way of giving back to the community.  How fortunate JFS is to have you set a great example for others in the"younger generation." 
Build-a-Backpack Event!

A Big Success thanks to you!

 

 

Thanks to your help, JFS successfully made 200 backpacks for the JFS Reducing Achievement Gaps program and the greater Metrowest community!  

 

 

 









Volunteers in action!







To learn more about the program that this backpack event benefits, click on this link Reducing Achievement Gaps Summary to download a one page summary of the program. 
T-Shirt & Hours   -   Thank you Volunteers!

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In August volunteers contributed  104 hours in the Metrowest community. August is a big vacation month for volunteers, but we're still amazed at all the hours provided to our community!  Our clients thank you and we appreciate you for standing up for those left behind.   

Once you've reached 20 hours of service you are eligible for a t-shirt. This month the following volunteers reached that benchmark!  
  • Barbara Robinson 
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! 

 

Please remember this is based on 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 log your hours of service, let us know and we'll help you!
National Grandparents Day is September 13th

President Jimmy Carter proclaimed National Grandparents Day in 1978 as the first Sunday after Labor Day.  Did you know that Marian McQuade, from West Virginia, was the founder of the holiday? Her goal was to teach children and their families about the importance and the contributions of grandparents in particular and seniors in general. She encouraged young people who didn't have a biological grandparent, to "adopt one."


The purpose of this holiday is "...to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children's children and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer." 

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Grandparents love their children in a special way. This bond is based on so many factors that it is hard to express. In addition to love and kindness, grandparents can offer wisdom,  guidance and patience. They know the family history and all of the "family stories." On this special holiday, grandchildren and others can show their appreciation to their grandparents. The greeting card companies may want to boost this holiday for business reasons, but grandchildren know in their hearts that this is a good day to honor these important people in their lives. Can you think of a

grandparent or other senior who has helped you in life? How about making them feel special on this holiday and always.     
Program Spotlight: 
Reducing Achievement Gaps


   

To learn more, visit our website!

 
Upcoming Opportunities
JFS has many ongoing programs and opportunities. Here are a few of the opportunities available. You can visit our website to learn more about each one:
  • 2-3 volunteers needed to help sort through Lego boxes for the 4th grade math program. Make sure all the pieces are there and organize the box. Date/time flexible!
  • 1 volunteer needed for the Lunch and Learn on September 8th from 11:15-2 at Temple Shir Tikva, topic Medicare!
  • Volunteer Mentors with 3rd and 4th grade after-school programs are starting!  Check out this video to learn more! Contact us as soon as possible to join us in the training and start with new students!
  • The next Patient Navigator Training will take place on October 8th, 9am-3pm. To learn what that's all about, watch this video!
Important for all volunteers:  
The need to complete all paperwork is mandated for all volunteers.  If you haven't done so at this time, please take a moment to complete any required paperwork and be sure to submit all documents to the JFS office. 
  
If you owe any documentation you should have received an e-mail listing the items that need to be updated. Please turn in the documents as soon as possible! 

If you have any questions about the documentation, why we collect it, or why it needs to be updated please don't hesitate to contact Sarah Roth, sroth@jfsmw.org, 508-875-3100 x320.

 

We are JFS!
Happy September!
 
Back to School!

Sarah Roth, MSW
Manager, Youth, Immigrant
& Volunteer Services
508-875-3100 x320
sroth@jfsmw.org
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Adoption Choices
Since 1982, Adoption Choices has been helping build families in Massachusetts.
Geriatric Care Management
Using an integrated approach, JFS has been working to meet the needs of elders in our community.
Patient Navigator
JFS volunteers are working to help facilitate communication with elders and their doctors.


Learn about these and other JFS programs by visiting our website.
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475 Franklin St. Suite 101, Framingham, MA 01702