Jewish Volunteer Network

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JVN Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

The Federation provides meaningful direct service volunteer opportunities for the Jewish community to engage in the work of repairing the world – tikkun olam.

Volunteer all year long with the Jewish Volunteer Network (JVN)
JVN matches individuals, families and groups as well as teens looking for B’nai Mitzvah and community service hour opportunities. We offer hands-on volunteer projects or virtual opportunities you can do at home or at your office. See how you can make a difference.

“Personal Shoppers” Needed for Homeless Stand Down
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Cleveland Convention Center (500 Lakeside Avenue)
Two shifts: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Do you like to help others shop for the perfect thing to wear? Help turn “Operation Warm-Up” (below) into a reality by helping guests find warm winter clothing. Training is required and provided. Must be age 15 or older. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Sign up!

Click on any of the following links to learn more about JVN opportunities:

Chaplaincy
Children's Welfare
Environmental
Holocaust Survivors
Homebound Seniors
Hospice
Hunger
Family Violence

General
Literacy
Medical
Military
New Immigrants
Nursing Homes
Special Needs
Transitional Housing

To volunteer, e-mail volunteer@jcfcleve.org or call 216.566.6504.

Category	Hands-On Opportunities	Virtual Opportunities
Literacy	Tutor elementary age children in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (must be 15) Tutor at the Juvenile Detention Center (must be 21)	Collect and wrap Christmas presents Collect new school supplies for students
Nursing Homes	Be a friendly visitor Help with arts & crafts, bingo and holiday celebrations Participate in a Junior Volunteer program (ages 12 and up) Assist in the snack shop or gift shop Assist staff on outings Transport residents Play cards, chess or checkers with residents Lead discussion groups Assist staff with serving breakfast to residents Sing and entertain residents Act as a Russian translator Help with Kiddush	Organize Jewish holiday card project
Holocaust Survivors	Enjoy a one-on-one friendship with an isolated survivor Help serve, socialize or provide transportation at a weekly socialization group Educate middle and high school students about the Holocaust
Homebound Seniors	Deliver home-delivered meals Provide transportation to medical appointments and social activities Plan an event, set up and clean up at an independent living site Assist with Helpline emergency response system
Hunger	Prepare and serve a meal at a shelter or soup kitchen Sort donated produce and non-perishable food Sort food and get it ready to be delivered to food pantries Serve lunches to children during the summer Deliver holiday food packages to homebound seniors	Organize a food drive (kosher and non-kosher food) to be donated to a local food pantry or foodbank
Environmental	Help with upkeep of community gardens Help plan the annual community clean up at the Hebrew Cultural Garden Plant a garden at a group home and maintain it Start a recycling program at your synagogue or school Work on an environmental newsletter Introduce the natural environment to students through hiking and related activities Assist with a community-supported agricultural organization	Coordinate the donation of produce to local shelters
Children's Welfare	Volunteer at a school for autism (must be 21) Assist in nursing home day care center Sort, count and box clothing to be donated Plan a childrens activity in a shelter or transitional housing agency Help with a teen play about abuse Participate in lunchtime social/emotional mentoring for 4th graders in Cleveland Aid classroom teachers in early childhood center (must be 21) Lead art or music class in juvenile correction facility	Collect backpacks and school supplies Organize a toy drive to be donated at Christmas time Collect and donate art supplies to be donated to a school or neighborhood center
Special Needs	Provide transportation to employment or volunteer opportunities for young adults Assist with outings and socialization activities Assist with basic maintenance and upkeep at a group home Plan a social or holiday event at a group home	Make holiday cards to send to group home residents Organize “kitchen shower” for a new group home
New Immigrants	Provide English as a second language (ESL) tutoring Help individuals study for their citizenship test Be a Russian translator, help at medical appointments and nursing homes
Military	See "Virtual Opportunities"	Collect non-perishable food and toiletry items to send to soldiers overseas Collect DVD's, CD's, puzzle books and current magazines for soldiers Make and send holiday cards Organize holiday food drive to send overseas Send letters and packages to IDF soldiers
Transitional Housing	Prepare and serve meals to residents Plan an arts and crafts or music activity for children “Adopt” an apartment by preparing the space for a new family moving in	Collect new pillows and linens Collect gently used professional clothing for women Collect and wrap toys for Christmas Make cookies and deliver to residents
Hospice	Assist with direct patient care Run errands and do special projects for patients Provide supportive visits Teen volunteers: Visit patients at a residential facility, cook/bake in family kitchen, play games with patients and plan activities for children
Medical	Sort medical supplies to be donated overseas Volunteer your professional skills at a “free clinic” Make friendly visits in hospitals Help transport patients in wheelchairs Serve as an emergency room liasion Serve coffee, visit with patient’s families in the hospital's hospitality suite Facilitate STD & HIV prevention workshops for teens and local groups Be a pharmacy technician (training provided and required)	Organize blood or bone marrow drive Knit, quilt or crochet items for patients from birth-18 years old (items must be made in a smoke-free home)
Family Violence	Provide transportation for victims of domestic violence Help coordinate teen play about teen violence
Chaplaincy	Visit Jewish patients to lend comfort and support
General	Help with mailings and general office support Assist at a Judaic giftshop