The Community Need:
Loneliness and isolation can deeply affect the mental and physical health of older adults. Whether due to the loss of loved ones, mobility challenges, or living far from family, older adults may find themselves seeking connections with new community members. For many older adults, including those who are Jewish, the desire for connection goes beyond social interaction — it's also about shared identity, traditions, and values. Being part of a community that understands their cultural background can bring deep comfort, joy, and a renewed sense of belonging.
How You Can Help:
Jewish Friendly Match volunteers build warm, supportive relationships with older Jewish adults by offering companionship and a vital link to community. These interactions aren’t just beneficial for the older adults — volunteers also find joy and fulfillment through the bonds they create, and true friendships are forged.
Volunteer Impact:
Volunteers in the Jewish Friendly Match program play a vital role in the well-being of older adults. Through regular, meaningful interactions, they provide much-needed companionship that helps ease feelings of loneliness and isolation. In addition, volunteers are often in a unique position to notice changes in an older adult’s health or mood, helping ensure that concerns don’t go unnoticed. Their presence brings a sense of connection, security, and emotional support — creating a tangible, positive impact on the lives of the individuals they visit.
Time Commitment:
This volunteer role requires a minimum commitment of six months, helping to ensure consistency and meaningful connections between volunteers and older adults. Volunteers are asked to visit their match for approximately one to two hours per week, and these visits can be in-person, virtual or over the phone. Scheduling is flexible and arranged at the mutual convenience of the volunteer and the older adult allowing for a personalized and comfortable experience for both.
Things to Consider:
We take great care to ensure all matches are made thoughtfully, considering factors like location and shared interests to foster genuine connections. We work closely with both volunteers and the older adults to support relationships that feel safe, respectful, and comfortable for everyone involved. Ongoing guidance and support from JFS staff are always available, so volunteers never feel alone in their role.
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Interview with program staff
- Sign volunteer waiver
- Complete HIPAA/Privacy and Security training
- Complete a background check
- Complete DMV check
