Volunteerism

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

At the heart of Sid Jacobson JCC are our volunteers. Community members of all ages can volunteer time and skills to give back.

Are you a new volunteer? Fill out our application!

All persons entering SJJCC who are over the eligible age of 12 are required to be fully vaccinated.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE + TU B’SHVAT: PLANTING SEEDS FOR A BRIGHTER TOMORROW

“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” Martin Luther King Jr.

This MLK Day and Tu B’Shvat, Monday, January 17, join us as we plant seeds for a brighter tomorrow with activities to care for our senior neighbors and our environment.

Ways to participate:

SERVICE LEARNING – Learning to Build a Community of Belonging in Honor of MLK Day
On MLK weekend this year, join UJA and scholars from Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy and the Shalom Hartman Institute for an evening of learning to explore when we’ve felt at home, when we haven’t, and what it will take for everyone in America to feel like they belong.

Virtual
Sunday, January 16, 5-7:30pm
Registration required. Click here to register.

SERVICE – Volunteer Driving
Through a safe drive-through outdoor assembly event, we will create care packages for local seniors. At the end, you will be given the name and address of a senior for delivery. We are asking all volunteers to purchase one easy-to-grow indoor plant to add to each care package (ex: Succulents, Aloe Vera, Ferns, English Ivy, Spider Plant). Funded by UJA-Federation’s Time for Good

At Sid Jacobson JCC
Monday, January 17, 1-3pm
Registration required. Click here to register.

BLOOD DRIVE – New York Blood Center
An emergency blood shortage has been declared by the New York Blood Center. Sign up to give blood and help save a life. All donors will be entered in a raffle to win a Mirror Home Gym+ 12 months membership. Appointments are preferred, walk-ins will be welcomed if space permits. In accordance with SJJCC Covid protocol, all donors must be fully vaccinated and masks are required.

At Sid Jacobson JCC
Monday, January 17, 1-7pm
Click here to register.

DONATIONS + DRIVES – We are accepting the following drive-through donations to benefit local organizations. Please separate donations by drive type.

Book Drive: Donate new or gently used children’s books in boxes to benefit Book Fairies.
Cell Phone Drive: Donate used cell phones to benefit Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine for domestic violence.
Clothing Drive: Donate off-season clothing in closed bags (no hangers) and household goods to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters Long Island (truck on-site).
Curb Your Mitzvah Food Drive: Donate non-perishable food to benefit SJJCC’s Community Needs Bank. The most needed items include canned protein, cereal, hot cereal, jelly, and peanut butter.
Eye Glasses Drive: Donate used eyeglasses to benefit the Lions Club.
Shoe Drive: Donate gently used shoes to benefit NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). All shoes must be tied or rubberbanded together.
Stuffed Animals: Donate clean, new, or gently loved stuffed animals to benefit Better Together Only. All donations must be in bags.

At Sid Jacobson JCC
Monday, January 17, 1-3pm
No registration required

PLANT A TREE IN ISRAEL FOR TU B’SHVAT
While learning about different types of trees and the significance of trees in Israel, we are planting trees and raising money for Israel. Planting a tree in Israel is a wonderful way to celebrate and observe Tu BiShvat. Each participant who plants a tree will receive a beautiful JNF Tree Certificate to remind them of their connection to the land and people of Israel, a connection they share with their family and Jewish people everywhere.

Click here to learn more.

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

To view and register for a volunteer opportunity, click here.

COMMUNITY THEATRE
Love the theatre but prefer to work behind the scenes? Volunteer positions are available for adults and teens. We are seeking a volunteer stage manager to facilitate communication across all creative and technical departments; act as a right hand to the director; oversee sets, props, lights, and sound; and call all technical cues during performances.

DRIVING TEAM VOLUNTEERS
Join our Driving Team and deliver perishable and non-perishable food and supplies to our homebound neighbors and food pantries with safe, contact-free protocol.

VOLUNTEER CARING CALLERS
Join our Caring Callers Team and call a senior or homebound neighbor to brighten their day! Make one-time checking in calls to various community members or weekly caring calls to the same person.

PEN PAL PROGRAM
Are you interested in connecting with people through the lost art of letter writing? Join our Pen Pal Program and be matched with a Sid Jacobson JCC program participant or community member who is equally interested. The act of letter writing has tremendous benefits for both the writer and the recipient.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (OFFICE SUPPORT)
Duties may include making and receiving telephone calls, creating spreadsheets, inputting data, running reports from database, filing, preparing mailings, and making copies. Special projects and tasks as needed. Proficiency in Database Management and Microsoft Office, with exceptional knowledge of Word and Excel.

KNITZVAH
Join others who knit and crochet to create blankets and other projects for donation. Knit or crochet 8×8″ squares to be made into lap blankets for the infusion center at The Cancer Institute at St Francis Hospital. All levels welcome. Instruction available. Meets every Wednesday.

TABLING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH (GREETERS/HOSPITALITY)
Seeking volunteers who are interested in tabling in the main lobby for special events. Welcome and engage members and program participants coming in and out of the JCC. Encourage individuals to pick up information or materials from the table. Must possess a friendly and positive attitude.

CAREER SERVICES
Present workshops on topics related to career services, job search strategies, recruitment, social media (especially LinkedIn and Clubhouse), marketing, making a career change, etc. Via Zoom now and eventually in-person.

THE LINDA MARSDEN FRIENDLY VISITING PROGRAM
Visit weekly with a homebound senior. Visits often include enjoying a cup of coffee, a game of cards, talking about daily news, exchanging stories, and more. Volunteers and seniors meet weekly and form mutually rewarding relationships. Volunteers will receive training and ongoing support.

VIRTUAL SENIOR CENTER
Help decrease social isolation for older adults in the community by facilitating a class on a topic you enjoy via video chat (Zoom). Over 17 topic categories including the arts, computer training, wellness, history, brain games, social sciences, travel, and much more! Flexible recurring schedule during the day, evening, or weekend.

WORKPLACE LITERACY VOLUNTEER
Help English as a second language community members improve their conversational skills. Volunteers do not need any prior teaching experience.

SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM
We are seeking volunteers who are passionate about social justice issues, (i.e., anti-Semitism, racial inequality, climate change, gun safety, inclusion, LGBTQ, etc.) to join our team and become a liaison with organizations in our community, and host and table special social justice events at SJJCC.

Volunteer opportunities funded by UJA-Federation’s Time for Good