Your help improves lives — including your own.
Volunteering has so many benefits. It offers a sense of purpose and accomplishment and has a lasting impact on those you help. As a nonprofit, we rely heavily on volunteers to ensure we can provide everyone in the community with the help they need. Each year, over 1,000 selfless volunteers donate thousands of hours of their time, ensuring we’re able to do our critical work. We simply could not do what we do without our dedicated volunteers. If you would like to be one of them, click below and we will contact you with next steps.
Your help improves lives — including your own.
Volunteering has so many benefits. It offers a sense of purpose and accomplishment and has a lasting impact on those you help. As a nonprofit, we rely heavily on volunteers to ensure we can provide everyone in the community with the help they need. Each year, over 1,000 selfless volunteers donate thousands of hours of their time, ensuring we’re able to do our critical work. We simply could not do what we do without our dedicated volunteers. If you would like to be one of them, click below and we will contact you with next steps.
“I began serving with Jewish Family Service because I wanted to be a blessing to others. In serving with JFS, I have seen how they work to enhance the well-being of people in our community by meeting their unique needs. For me, the best part of volunteering is seeing how devoting just a little of my time each week can make such a significant difference in the lives of those I have the privilege of serving. We all have busy schedules; but I encourage everyone to carve out time to serve with JFS. You will never regret investing in another person’s life!”
“After being employed for more than six decades, I wanted to be a part of an organization where I could volunteer and work with people on a one-to-one basis. Through Jewish Family Service, I chose working with Hospice patients. This program is in partnership with Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, and I was matched with a beautiful woman with early stages of dementia. The time that I spend with her has been one of the most rewarding moments in my life. I encourage anyone who wants to make a difference in the life of another to consider the many opportunities that JFS offers to the community.”
How you can help
There are dozens of opportunities to volunteer at Jewish Family Service! You can find one (or more) that fits your interest, skills, and availability. Please note that most volunteering opportunities have an age requirement of 18+, however, we do have seasonal opportunities for teens.
Here are just some of our volunteer opportunities:
Children & Families
- Mentor Connection. Mentor Connection matches Oakland County youth, ages 7-17, with caring adults who provide encouragement and guidance through structured mentoring relationships. We ask for a minimum commitment of one year, and 2-4 hours every other week. Mentors must be 18 years or older.
Older Adults
- Friendly Visitors. Volunteers are matched with a homebound older adult who is seeking companionship and support. Volunteers will visit a client in their home or may choose to do activities outside the home such as lunch, grocery shopping or other activities.
- Hospice. In partnership with Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, volunteers provide comfort and companionship to chronically and terminally ill individuals.
- iPad Volunteers. Volunteers are matched with an older adult to teach basic iPad skills and increase older adults’ knowledge about technology in order for them to communicate with family and friends and decrease feelings of isolation. Volunteers commit to 8-10 weeks for one hour, once a week.
- Kosher Meals on Wheels. Package and/or deliver kosher meals to homebound older adults as part of this program, in partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).
- Yad b’ Yad. Visit with Holocaust survivors in this joint program with Jewish Senior Life. Training will be provided for working with this special population.
Professional
- Legal Referral Service. Attorneys provide pro bono legal counsel and possible representation to JFS clients. Volunteers are asked to accept one matter per year.
Administrative
- Office Volunteers. Work with JFS staff helping with clerical work, data entry, scheduling appointments for our transportation service or community projects.
Seasonal
- Fall Fix Up. Take part in this community event every November. Teams of volunteers help older adults served by JFS prepare their yards for the winter months. This is a great individual, family, group or company volunteer opportunity, as well as for students fulfilling community service hours.
- Adopt a Family. Every year during the holiday season, our generous community helps JFS clients and their families through our Adopt a Family program. Participation is simple! Shop for gifts from personal wish lists, purchase gift cards or make a general donation to the program.
Children & Families
- Mentor Connection. Mentor Connection matches Oakland County youth, ages 7-17, with caring adults who provide encouragement and guidance through structured mentoring relationships. We ask for a minimum commitment of one year, and 2-4 hours every other week. Mentors must be 18 years or older.
Older Adults
- Friendly Visitors. Volunteers are matched with a homebound older adult who is seeking companionship and support. Volunteers will visit a client in their home or may choose to do activities outside the home such as lunch, grocery shopping or other activities.
- Hospice. In partnership with Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network, volunteers provide comfort and companionship to chronically and terminally ill individuals.
- iPad Volunteers. Volunteers are matched with an older adult to teach basic iPad skills and increase older adults’ knowledge about technology in order for them to communicate with family and friends and decrease feelings of isolation. Volunteers commit to 8-10 weeks for one hour, once a week.
- Kosher Meals on Wheels. Package and/or deliver kosher meals to homebound older adults as part of this program, in partnership with the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW).
- Yad b’ Yad. Visit with Holocaust survivors in this joint program with Jewish Senior Life. Training will be provided for working with this special population.
Professional
- Legal Referral Service. Attorneys provide pro bono legal counsel and possible representation to JFS clients. Volunteers are asked to accept one matter per year.
Administrative
- Office Volunteers. Work with JFS staff helping with clerical work, data entry, scheduling appointments for our transportation service or community projects.
Seasonal
- Fall Fix Up. Take part in this community event every November. Teams of volunteers help older adults served by JFS prepare their yards for the winter months. This is a great individual, family, group or company volunteer opportunity, as well as for students fulfilling community service hours.
- Adopt a Family. Every year during the holiday season, our generous community helps JFS clients and their families through our Adopt a Family program. Participation is simple! Shop for gifts from personal wish lists, purchase gift cards or make a general donation to the program.