Volunteer - Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minnesota

**DECEMBER VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT** **– Fran Burstein and Andrea Binder**

Each year, individuals, families, and groups give their time, resources and talent to help us better serve the community. Our dedicated volunteers play a critical role in ensuring that JFCS is here for all, always. We offer short- and long-term volunteer opportunities for people of all ages. Volunteers provide support to those in need through our programs serving both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities.

Volunteer needs and opportunities fluctuate throughout the year. Find a list of volunteer opportunities and more information below.

Thank you to our volunteers! Click here to view 2024 Impact Report and Volunteer Names
A thank you message to 2025 volunteers from former JFCS Minneapolis CEO, Judy Halper
Congrats to our 2025 Exemplary Service Award Honorees: Eva Neubeck, Paula Fields, and Sandy Baron

> See past volunteer spotlights
> JFCS Quarterly Volunteer Newsletter

Sign up for the Volunteer e-Newsletter! This is the best way to stay informed on current volunteer needs and updates. Newsletters come to your inbox quarterly.

HOW TO GET STARTED

Volunteering with JFCS is easy! Follow the simple steps below to get started. If you have further questions or would like to speak to someone directly, please contact Dana Shapiro, Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager at dshapiro@jfcsmn.org or 952-417-2112.

WAYS TO VOLUNTEER

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Participate in a JFCS-themed Mitzvah Project

Let JFCS support you as you prepare for your big day of becoming a B’Mitzvah and embrace the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repair of the world). These projects are open to anyone and are great options for both individuals (B’Mitzvah students, teens, and adults) and groups (families, schools, book clubs, mahjong groups, community organizations, businesses, etc.) looking to make a difference in the community. We can cater the project to your needs and interest.
> View flyer

Dana Shapiro │ Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager │ dshapiro@jfcsmn.org │ 952-417-2112

Provide essential rides for JFCS clients as a Garber Transportation Driver

Volunteer drivers choose a schedule that works for them and drive their own car, providing rides to clients to necessary appointments and errands.
> View this short video
> View flyer
> Read the job description here

Alex Botvinnik │ Transportation/MOW Supervisor │ Abotvinnik@jfcsmn.org │ 952-542-4829

Participate in Hag Sameach (Happy Holidays) Program and support families in need during Passover and Hanukkah and throughout the year

Adopt-a-Family, purchase gifts from our registries, volunteer to sort, pack or wrap gifts, or deliver gifts to program recipients. Consider organizing a supply drive to collect new household items, winter wear, games, books, toys, etc. as a great year-round activity for individuals, families, and groups.
> Learn more here
> Hag Sameach 2024 Impact Report

Mindy Teele │ Hag Sameach Manager │ mteele@jfcsmn.org │ 952-542-4870

Group volunteering with Volunteers in Action

Volunteers in Action is a JFCS volunteer corps that supports organizations in the Jewish and broader communities. The program partners with organizations whose missions align with JFCS’ mission to provide essential services to people of all ages and backgrounds to sustain healthy relationships, ease suffering and offer support in times of need. VIA has partnered with: Dress For Success, Loaves and Fishes, Memorial Blood Centers, Jones-Harrison Senior Living, Open Arms Minnesota, PRISM, and Sholom Senior Living.
> View flyer

Dana Shapiro │ Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager │ dshapiro@jfcsmn.org │ 952-417-2112

Make cards for a fun and easy way to brighten someone’s day

This is a family-friendly and remote opportunity to create handmade or store-bought cards. These cards let our clients and program participants know the community is thinking about them and reminding them that they are not alone during this isolating time. Your warm and cheerful messages go a long way! Reach out to receive specific card-making instructions.

Dana Shapiro │ Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager │ dshapiro@jfcsmn.org │ 952-417-2112

Join JFCS’s NextGen group and volunteer along with other adults in their 20s and 30s

JFCS’ NextGen program serves Jewish young adults ages 21-36 who are living in the Twin Cities. It provides participants with social and volunteering programs as well as leadership opportunities. NextGen operates through a board of volunteers who serve as ambassadors of JFCS and help plan and implement NextGen events throughout the year.
> Sign up to receive email updates
> Follow on Facebook

Molly Knopf │ NextGen Coordinator │ mknopf@jfcsmn.org │ 952-417-4874

Get involved with J-Pride and help plan an upcoming program

J-Pride’s mission is to create community through queer-focused Jewish programming for LGBTQ+ Jews and their allies throughout the Twin Cities. J-Pride participates in the annual Twin Cities Pride Festival with a J-Pride booth and in the Ashley Rukes Parade.
> Learn more here
> Follow on Facebook

Hunter Wengersky │ J-Pride Program Coordinator │ hwengersky@jfcsmn.org │ 952-417-2122

Support JFCS staff with events throughout the year

Annual Benefit, PJ Library, Caring Connections, Annual Mental Health Education Conference , “Keeping the Spirit Alive” Caregivers Conference, Memory Café etc.

Respond to Hunger

Individuals, families, or groups, can reach out to for guidance on donating food for JFCS emergency food boxes or to organize a food drive. PRISM, our partner in ending food insecurity (and next-door neighbor), also has many needs including ongoing volunteer support in their food shelf and Shop For Change thrift store.

Kelsey Slovut-Einertson | Food Security Coordinator | kseinertson@jfcsmn.org | 612-965-0647

WORK WITH SENIORS

We offer many ways to volunteer your time with older adults. We want to utilize your interests and strengths to help our seniors live their best, most engaged lives.

Provide Russian translation support to the Senior Services department

Provide translations via phone and for written materials including technology support for Russian-speaking clients. This helps us better support our clients to really make a difference in their day.

Connect with an older adult and bring joy to their life as an Outreach Visitor

Through one-on-one visits, outreach visitors offer companionship and support through weekly or bi-weekly visits at the client’s home and/or destinations in the community. Choose activities you both enjoy such as visiting, reading, playing games in their home, having coffee, lunch or seeing a movie. Read the job description here.

Talk on the phone and provide a listening ear as a Telephone Reassurance Volunteer

Reach out by phone on a regular basis to offer a friendly check-in with seniors. Calls are social in nature to help alleviate the affects of social isolation. This is a fun and easy way you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home. Read the job description here.

Help an older adult manage their finances as a Household Financial Volunteer

Volunteers assist with managing budgets, bills and financial affairs. Clients must be engaged in the process and cognitively able to partner with the volunteer. Read the job description here.

Help with upcoming Memory Café events

Tasks include setting up, welcoming participants, helping with activities, interacting with the participants, directing people to restrooms, and cleaning up. Memory Café is a gathering for people with memory loss and their caregivers who meet regularly for activities and conversations in a comfortable, supportive environment.

Lindsay Kant | Senior Services Case Manager | lkant@jfcsmn.org | 952-417-2116

Help an older adult with minor household needs as a Quick Fix Volunteer

Quick Fix volunteers help JFCS Senior Service clients with easy, one-time household needs. It takes just a little time commitment to make a big difference in the life of a JFCS client. Read the job description here.