From the Desk of CEO Amy Weiss: April 2026

Every spring, we take a moment to pause and celebrate our amazing volunteers. April is Global Volunteer Month and next week (April 19-25) is National Volunteer Week, we want to give a special thanks to our volunteers who show up again and again to support JFCS programs and help make our community stronger, kinder, and more connected.

At JFCS, that impact is anything but small. In 2025, more than 1,100 volunteers stepped forward to share their time, skills, and compassion. They came as individuals, families, and groups, each extending the reach of our work in ways that ripple far beyond any single moment of service.

In 2025, volunteers drove 3,282 miles through our Garber Transportation program, ensuring that community members could get where they needed to go safely and reliably. More than 400 volunteers supported our Hag Sameach (“Happy Holidays”) program, helping 1,249 people celebrate with ritual foods for Passover and meaningful gifts during the winter holidays. Others offered something equally essential, but less measurable – connection – 17 Outreach Visitors built one-to-one relationships with older adults, reminding them they are not alone.

This is what community looks like in action.

At the heart of JFCS is the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Volunteering is one of the most tangible ways we live out that value. It is how we turn intention into action, and compassion into something you can see and feel.

And while volunteering strengthens our community, there are benefits for the volunteers themselves. There is something deeply human about showing up for others. It keeps us engaged, connected, and purposeful. Think back to a time when you helped someone else. Chances are, you walked away feeling you had made a real difference.

The sage Hillel teaches: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?

Those words feel especially relevant this month. They remind us that community doesn’t just happen; it is something we build together.

If you visit our volunteering page, you’ll find more stories of volunteer impact, along with opportunities to get involved and steps to get started. Whether you have an hour a week or a few times a year, there is a place for you here. Learn about opportunities and think about where your time and talents could make a difference.

Let us know how we can help you get started. JFCS is Here for all. Always.