Teen Volunteers

Learning and living the value of “g’milut chasadim,” acts of loving kindness

Interested in the chance to make an impact? Partnering with Alexander Jewish Family Service is the perfect opportunity.

We accept youth volunteers beginning at age 12 and can help direct you to positions based on your availability, comfort level and interests. You can even gather friends and volunteer as a group!

Getting involved is easy. Explore some of our opportunities below and contact us to see how you can help.

Teen Opportunities:
  • B’nai Mitzvah projects or community service hours for school
  • Velva G. and H. Fred Levine Shabbat Box Program: a unique volunteer opportunity to uplift Jewish patients' spirits
  • Creating and organizing a pantry food and necessity drive for senior essentials
  • Using artistic skills to brighten the lives of clients
  • Building emergency hurricane kits

Ways for Teens to Help

Adopt-A-Holiday

Create holiday bags for hospital patients.

Volunteers will purchase approved items for approximately 25 bags for our senior clients. These bags should include a holiday greeting card with messaging approved by staff. Bags are due two weeks prior to the holiday to allow time for delivery.

Necessity Items Collection Drive

Collect non-food items for our clients.

Many of our clients have limited resources. Unfortunately, there are daily use items that are not covered by their resources including incontinence pads/diapers, soap, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels and paper plates and cups. These items are needed throughout the year and are distributed by case managers on visits. Your collection will make a difference in many lives!

Hurricane Kits

Build emergency kits for seniors.

These kits are a great project for a youth group or organization that has the capability to provide funding for the needed items. Kits should include everything a senior would need to survive at home for at least three days (list of items to be provided).  We need 25 kits each May and August.

Velva G. and H. Fred Levine Shabbat Box Program

Uplift patients in local hospitals.

A favorite of Bar and Bat Mitzvah students, this project has a three-month commitment to decorate boxes that are filled with symbols of Shabbat for patients in local hospitals.

Common Questions about Teen Volunteering

What is the age requirements for volunteers?

Currently, we only accept young volunteers age 12 and up. Should a teen be assigned a task in which they will have direct client contact, they will need to take our online HIPAA training.

Can my child or grandchild work as a volunteer for school credit?

It is possible for students to get community service credit for volunteering with JFS. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis. JFS does provide community service certificates for students 12 to 18.

If I am unable to complete my assignment, what do I do?

Please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Melanie Goldberg so she can make alternative arrangements and alert anyone else that is working on the project.

If I have friends or family visiting, can they volunteer with me?

If you are working on a collection drive or assembly project, yes; however, they will not receive credit without going through our Volunteer Coordinator and completing an application PRIOR to volunteering.  If you are working directly with a client or client information, then this is not the case.

If I’m not feeling well but I don’t have direct contact, is it OK to complete my project?

If you are working on a Chaplaincy project and are not feeling well, we ask that you notify the Volunteer Coordinator to let her know so that she can make arrangements for a someone else to fulfill your obligations until you are better.  Once you are better, if another teen took your place, you will need to cover for them to compensate for their extra work.

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"Our Shabbat Boxes are unique outside and include everything needed for a private Shabbat celebration inside. Patients have expressed the importance of these deliveries as it allows them to bring normalcy to a time that is often stressful."
-Toby Brown, Former Teen Volunteer Coordinator
This quote has been annonoymized for client privacy protection
Four beautifully decorated shabbat boxes

Volunteer Now

If you would like to chat with someone about volunteering with Alexander JFS or if you have any questions about our program, please complete this form and our Volunteer Manager, Melanie Cole Goldberg, will get back to you. If you are ready to go, please click on the button below to set up your application and profile through our online system.

Apply Now
Hours of Operation

8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Monday- Thursday

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Friday

We provide light, hope and help.

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