Volunteer Services

“There are two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we receive, and the larger kind we feel for what we give.”
--Edward Arlington Robinson

Throughout the year JCFS has limited opportunities for ongoing and one-time group volunteers. JCFS accepts volunteers of all races, abilities and religions Volunteers are placed based on interest, need and location. 

WE PROVIDE

Jewish Healing Network Friendly Visitor
Provide isolated Jewish seniors with the warmth of consistent visits. Jewish volunteers make bi-monthly friendly visits to residents of local nursing homes. These residents, who primarily do not get many visitors, are grateful to experience the warm companionship a visitor provides.

Yad B' Yad
Yad B’ Yad aims to improve socialization, access and affiliation within the Jewish community among young adults with disabilities. Jewish young adult volunteers are needed to mentor Jewish young adults with a developmental disability. Each volunteer will work toward establishing a relationship with their participant to enhance their involvement in social, cultural and religious activities. Commitments are minimally for one year, giving the relationship time to develop.

HIAS Chicago
Each year, HIAS Chicago’s corps of community volunteers provide approximately 2,000 hours of volunteer service through our programs. Assisting elderly and disabled clients prepare for citizenship has remained an integral role for our dedicated volunteer teachers and tutors, offering cross-cultural friendships and serving as role models for civic participation.

Childcare for Foster Parent Trainings
Play and interact with foster children while their foster parents are in trainings to be better foster parents! This volunteer opportunity takes place bi-monthly at the Jewish Federation building from 5:30-8:30pm.

School Supplies
Help get a needy child ready for the new school year. Donate new school supplies then come and help fill backpacks for clients of JCFS. 

JCFS Coat Shopping
Each year JCFS receives a grant to buy warm winter wear for our needy clients. Groups of volunteers from the community pick a shopping date in October and November, usually a Sunday morning for about 2.5 hours. Volunteers take the request slips filled out by the clients. All ages are welcome as long as an adult accompanies children. This is a great family project.

Toy Sorting
Volunteers help sort the donated holiday gifts that will go to the agency’s needy clients. The project takes place in late November or early December. There are shifts on a Friday morning, Friday afternoon, Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, and Monday morning. The project takes place at the JCFS Northbrook office. Children ages 12+ are welcome with an adult.

North Shore Auxiliary
Help raise funds to support a variety of JCFS programs, provide hands-on support to clients and attend monthly meetings on the North Shore.

Mitzvah Maker’s Program
Help JCFS with one-time or short-term special projects (childcare, office work, seasonal projects and more). Sign up to be notified when help is needed and decide based on your schedule what you will do. Supervision and training vary depending upon the type of project and length of commitment. Volunteers of all ages are needed throughout the Chicagoland area.

Become a volunteer!
Please click on the link to our volunteer form below. Your information goes directly to our volunteer coordinator who will contact you shortly: Volunteering@jcfs.org

Volunteer Inquiry Form

Please note: JCFS uses Logiforms, a secure forms website