Religious Community Visitors play a valued role in the healing process by maintaining a connection to a patient's religious community. The purpose of the role is to be a source of support during what can be a difficult time while in the hospital, Religious Community Visitors also help the patient by providing access to rites and rituals from their religious community. The volunteer will report to Spiritual Care Services at designated Calgary hospital and visit with Jewish patients.

JFSC Volunteers extend and enhance the work of the paid personal in meeting the organization’s initiatives for all JFSC programs and services. The volunteer is part of the JFSC team. Information acquired through the volunteer’s participation is considered strictly confidential. Each volunteer is representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partner’s and public should always be polite and professional.

Responsibilities

• Complete Religious Community Visitor application and training through Alberta Health Services
• Report to Spiritual Care Services at designated Calgary hospital to obtain list of Jewish patents.
• Provide connection and access to rites and rituals from Jewish community to Jewish patients.
• Provide regular updates to the Volunteer Coordinator including visiting schedule, hours, successes, and challenges.
• Meet with Chaplain and Volunteer Coordinator as needed for support in role.

Qualifications:

• Compassion, commitment, and sensitivity
• Active member in religious Jewish community.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to speak a second language an asset but not mandatory.

Time requirement/availability:

Flexible – dependent on hospitals visitation schedule

Benefits:

• Play an integral role in supporting the mission, values, and guiding principles of JFSC.
• Perform hands-on service for JFSC at the grassroots level, making our clients’ goals a reality.

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• Police Information Check
• Driver’s Licence

The SPINZ-A-ROUND Program provides non-profit agencies with the opportunity to pick up fresh fruits and vegetables and non-perishable food items for clients. The purpose of this role will be to assist a JFSC staff member with receiving food from the SPINZ-A-Around Program, every Tuesday from 8:30-11:00am. The volunteer will meet the staff member at the Community Kitchen’s SPINZ_A_ROUND Program at 3751-21 Street NE on Tuesday’s by 8:30 am to help the staff member to set up the trolly and bins for the program which starts at 9:00am.

The volunteer is considered to be a part of the JFSC team. Alberta has the highest prevalence of food insecurity among all 10 Canadian provinces at 20.3 per cent. That means that about one in five Alberta households is food insecure. With food insecurity being so prevalent in today’s society, this volunteer opportunity will enable the successful volunteer candidates the ability to really be involved in making a difference in people’s lives. Information acquired through the volunteer’s participation is considered strictly confidential.

Each volunteer is a representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partners and the public should always be polite and professional.

Volunteer requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted
• Must possess a keen eye for organization
• Willingness to obtain a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• Police Information Check
• Driver’s Licence

Please join us in delivering this essential service to individuals in need!

To apply or for more information please email volunteer@jfsc.org

Memory care programs are essential for the engagement and wellbeing of individuals with dementia, and play a key role in providing respite opportunities for family caregivers of individuals with dementia. JFSC proudly offers in-home memory care programming with the help of our wonderful Memory Care Volunteers.

Memory Care Volunteers engage with individuals experiencing memory loss or dementia (such as Alzheimer's Disease) to deliver brain boosting activities and companionship. Activities are delivered in the client's home on a bi-weekly basis over a 3-hour segment.

Volunteers are trained on the Best Friends Approach (Alzheimer Society) and are provided ongoing support, supervision, training and guidance to prepare for their role. Memory Care Volunteers are also provided with a tool kit of activities from our Memory Care Case Manager.

Volunteer requirements:

• Willingness to obtain a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Must possess or willing to obtain First Aid Certification.
• Demonstrate a kind and patient demeanor and possess excellent communication skills.
• Background in health care, education or social work is an asset, but not mandatory.

Each volunteer is a representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partners and the public should always be polite and professional.

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• Police Information Check
• Driver’s Licence

Please join us in delivering this essential support to individuals with dementia and their caregivers!

To apply or for more information please email volunteer@jfsc.org

JFSC currently provides clients with packages to celebrate the Jewish High Holidays. Packages will be assembled and delivered by volunteers to seniors in the community. Seniors receiving packages will be asked to identify other seniors in their community that are isolated and would enjoy receiving a holiday package.

The Safta’s Kitchen project offers holiday packages to Jewish seniors and non-Jewish seniors who are interested in learning about the High Holidays – the packages would include essentials to celebrate the holiday (i.e., for Rosh Hashanah – challah, apples, honey…), a typical recipe enjoyed during that holiday, plus information about the holiday and its significance. JFSC has historically connected with schools like Calgary Jewish Academy to decorate the bags in which the packages are delivered. A full list of High holiday packages would include:

• Passover- packages delivered in April
• Shavuot- packages delivered in May
• Shabbat- packages delivered in July
• Rosh Hashana- packages delivered in September
• Hanukkah- packages delivered in December

Volunteer requirements:

• Willingness to obtain a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Demonstrate a kind and patient demeanor and possess excellent communication skills.

Each volunteer is a representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partners and the public should always be polite and professional.

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• Police Information Check
• Driver’s Licence

Please join us in delivering this essential support to individuals in need!

To apply or for more information please email volunteer@jfsc.org

Food insecurity has significantly increased over the past few years, and JFSC is committed to help. We are in need of Food Hamper Delivery Volunteers to deliver food hampers to vulnerable clients' homes across Calgary who are not able to pick up their food hampers from our office.

*Deliveries to the NW and NE Calgary communities are particularly needed.

Volunteer requirements:

• Willing to obtain a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Demonstrate a kind and patient demeanor and possess excellent communication skills.
• Deliveries Tuesday through Thursday, frequency dependent on schedule arranged.

Each volunteer is a representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partners and the public should always be polite and professional.

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• Police Information Check
• Driver’s Licence and Insurance

Please join us in delivering this essential support to individuals in need!

To apply or for more information please email volunteer@jfsc.org

Food insecurity has significantly increased since 2020 and JFSC is committed to supporting our communities. We are seeking a highly detailed individual who will organize and clean our weekly perishable/non-perishable food donations.

Volunteer requirements:

• Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds unassisted.
• Must be able to commit to 1 day per week.
• Must possess a keen eye for organization.
• Willingness to obtain a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search.

Each volunteer is a representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partners and the public should always be polite and professional.

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• Police Information Check
• Driver’s Licence

Please join us in delivering this essential service to individuals in need!

To apply or for more information please email volunteer@jfsc.org

JFSC is looking for volunteers to help at Shabbat Services at one of three senior facilities in Calgary. Volunteers are crucial to the success of these programs as they offer a connection to the community for many seniors. Volunteers have opportunities to lead programs with activities of their choice! Sing, play guitar, and the list goes on.

Volunteer duties include choosing dates for Shabbat (programs begin at 10:30 AM on Fridays). Volunteer will set up the area, welcome guests, entertain, lead prayers, and clean up area when finished.

Volunteer requirements:

• Willingness to obtain a Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search.
• Demonstrate a kind and patient demeanor and possess excellent communication skills.

Each volunteer is a representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partners and the public should always be polite and professional.

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• Police Information Check
• Driver’s Licence

Please join us in delivering this essential support to individuals in need!

To apply or for more information please email volunteer@jfsc.org

Friendly Visiting is a fun and meaningful way to give back to the community and make a difference in the life of a senior. Remind yourself of the memories share with your grandparents, parents, or aunts/uncles. How special did those relationships become in your life? Our Friendly Visitor Volunteers explore common interests, share experiences, tell stories, and build connections with their senior match. The purpose of this role will be to provide companionship and support, either by phone or in person, with the goal of reducing isolation for seniors in our community; to become a friend to a local senior.

JFSC volunteers extend and enhance the work of the paid personnel in meeting the organization’s mission for all JFSC programs and services. Each volunteer is a representative of JFSC. Interaction with clients, partners and the public should always be polite and professional.

Time requirement/ Availability:

1 hour weekly / 6 months, minimum

Responsibilities

• Chat with seniors by phone or in person, on a weekly basis and establish rapport and common interests
• Look for opportunities to decrease social isolation and increase personal interactions through encouraging engagement
• Establish healthy boundaries with the friendly visitor (i.e.: contact occurs at scheduled meeting)
• Provide regular updates to the Volunteer Coordinator including hours, successes, and challenges
• Report issues, concerns, or incidents to Volunteer Coordinator within 24 hours
• Keep all client and agency information confidential and in strict confidence
• Willingness to complete agency orientation and review relevant policies and procedures

Screening requirements:

• Application
• Interview
• Two reference checks
• CPIC (Police Check) completed and updated every 3 years
• FOIP training
• Driver’s Licence – (not required but nice to have)

Please join us in delivering this essential service to individuals in need!

To apply or for more information please email volunteer@jfsc.org