Women's Philanthropy Hands-On Volunteer Opportunities

CJP Women’s Philanthropy is pleased to offer several hands-on volunteer opportunities at our partner agencies in the Boston community.  Some of these projects are new, some are continuing; all are ideal for the individual who may have a limited amount of time to commit, but who still wants to make a difference and get connected within our greater Boston community.

Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE)

Feelie Hearts Sewing Project
Since 2003, tenants have been sewing small cloth hearts, mainly for medical students, to place in the pockets of their white coats. They are to be held when stressed, reminding students to hold their own hearts gently as they deal with study, caring for patients, and death. It is also a gesture of appreciation for the medical students. The hearts are delivered at the beginning of the elective course called “The Healer’s Art” which deals with humanity in medicine, and presented at a luncheon at the Medical School. Dana Farber Cancer Center distributes the hearts to people receiving chemotherapy and they have consistently been received with enthusiasm and appreciation. Multiple requests for more are received regularly.

Sewing hearts together provides friendship and camaraderie, as well as a combined sense of purpose.  Delivering the hearts is a warm and meaningful experience.

Volunteer Details: First Monday of each month, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at JCHE Coleman House, JCC Campus, Newton.  Supplies and instruction are provided.
Interested? Contact Laura Marks: 617-244-0011 or lsmarks@comcast.net.

Knitting Circle
Since 2002, tenants have been knitting hats, mittens, scarves, vests, sweaters, booties, and afghans for the children (and in some cases mothers) at different locations.  At Boston Children’s Hospital, for example, blankets are given to children as “support” blankets before surgery, and transferred to the mothers during surgery, acting as a comfort for the families and helping them remain connected to their children.

Knitting together provides motivation and camaraderie, as well as a combined sense of purpose.  Delivering the knitted goods is a warm and meaningful experience. Donations of yarn are graciously and gratefully accepted! 

Volunteer Details: First Monday of each month, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at JCHE Coleman House, JCC Campus, Newton. Supplies and instruction are provided.  Tenants are accomplished knitters eager to share their skills.  Interested? Contact Laura Marks: 617-244-0011 or lsmarks@comcast.net.

Book Group
A book discussion group, meeting 4 times per year, with the residents of Coleman House.  This is a unique opportunity to foster intergenerational dialogue and to understand different perspectives as we engage in conversation and friendship. The Coleman House residents already have a monthly book discussion group but it is not intergenerational. This will be an opportunity for all of us to share ideas and engage in intellectual stimulation.

Volunteer Details: Book group will meet four times per year on the second Monday of each month from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at JCHE Coleman House (Meetings for 2010 will take place Jan. 11, Apr. 12, July 12, and Oct. 11).  Initial book will be Those Who Save Us and initial meeting will take place January 11, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Subsequent books will be chosen with Coleman House tenants at our first intergenerational book club meeting.  Interested? Contact Laura Marks:    617-244-0011 or lsmarks@comcast.net.

Jaffa Shabbat
The Jaffa Society’s wonderful intergenerational Shabbat program allows you and your family to welcome Shabbat with the seniors at JCHE’s Golda Meir House. Join us in creating a Shabbat to remember, for young and old.

Upcoming dates:
January 8
February 5
March 5
April 9
May 7

Volunteer Details: 4:00 p.m. at Golda Meir House, 160 Stanton Avenue, Auburndale. Open to all families. Challah and juice will be served. Dietary laws will be observed. Interested? Please contact Hannah Gutterman at 617 457-8591 or hannahg@cjp.org.

Conley School
The Conley School is Women’s Philanthropy partner school in the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy’s volunteer literacy program. The Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy mobilizes the Jewish community to help ensure that all children learn to read by the end of third grade. Synagogues, Jewish organizations, businesses and day schools form partnerships with public elementary schools and community centers in underserved communities. Through these venues, volunteers participate in service, book donations, and advocacy.  The Coalition provides training and resources to prepare program participants to provide high quality services to students. Conley is conveniently located in Roslindale; volunteering at Conley through tutoring or contributing to a book drive  can be a rewarding way to  help an elementary student reach his/her full potential. 

Tutoring
Make a commitment to tutor one hour each week during the school year to help enhance literacy skills and foster a love of reading with a K-3rd grade student.  No teaching experience is necessary; training is available through the Greater Boston Coalition for Literacy. 

Volunteer Details:  One hour per week throughout the school year at The Conley School, Roslindale. Tutor training provided.  Interested?  Contact Hope Suttin: 617 332-8416 or hsuttin@rcn.com.
 
Assist the Art Teacher
A new volunteer opportunity available at Conley.  The art teacher is looking for an assistant on Wednesdays (1 or 2 hours) to help her in the art room. 

Volunteer Details:  Interested? Contact Hope Suttin: 617 332-8416 or hsuttin@rcn.com.

JF&CS Family Table

JF&CS Family Table, Greater Boston’s largest kosher food pantry, provides healthy, nutritious food on a monthly and emergency basis to individuals and families in need. Family Table is presently serving more than 500 individuals.

Volunteer Details: Click here for more information. Family Table particularly needs volunteers during the months of June and July.

Click here for more JF&CS volunteer opportunities.