Needs From: MC Serves!

Senior Helpline, a program of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington, provides adults 50+ with confidential information and referral services. Using supportive listening and problem solving skills, older adult volunteers (aged 50+) are trained to identify callers' needs and provide referrals for various resources, including, but not limited to, housing, homecare, food and legal issues. Volunteers educate the callers on how to advocate for themselves and their families by providing important questions to ask when acquiring services.

Volunteers must have good communication skills in reading, writing and speaking English. Training will be provided. This program is for seniors helping seniors. 

Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of one, three-hour shift, per week, in our Rockville office.

Connect-A-Ride Travel Training workshops help seniors 50+ feel confident and comfortable taking public transportation.  The program is looking for a volunteer who is a public transportation veteran! The volunteer will be a vital contributor to this fun and informative three-hour, once-a-month program.

Tasks include registering participants, fielding questions about the Metro and Ride-On systems, assisting with fare card machines at the station, and ensuring all participants are present and accounted for during the workshop.

Training provided. Experience with public transportation is not required but would be helpful. 

The JCA Samuel J. Gorlitz Kensington Clubs are 4-HOUR social clubs designed for older adults in the early stage of memory loss between 9:30-1:30pm on Wednesdays. Experienced staff and volunteers help provide social activities to Club members. Club members are independent with walking and all personal cares. They participate in group games, exercise, art therapy, music therapy, and discussion and then return home again after four hours. A weekly volunteer to assist the manager and activity leader is needed for the club location at the Kensington Club at White Oak Senior Center in Silver Spring.  1700 April Lane Silver Spring, Maryland 20904  301-255-4221

The JCA Samuel J. Gorlitz Kensington Clubs at Germantown is a 4-HOUR social club designed for older adults in the early stage of memory loss between 9:30-1:30pm on Mondays and Thursdays. Experienced staff and volunteers help provide social activities to Club members. Club members are independent with walking and all personal cares. They participate in group games, exercise, art therapy, music therapy, and discussion and then return home again after four hours. Weekly volunteers are needed to assist the manager and activity leader. The club location is at the Germantown Community Center --18905 Kingsview Rd. Germantown, MD 20874

The JCA Samuel J. Gorlitz Kensington Club in Rockville is a social club designed for seniors in the early stage of memory loss. 

The Kensington Club@Parklawn on the JCA Headquarters Terrace has a large patio with raised flower beds and patio furniture. We are in search of 1-2 summer volunteers from June 1 to September 1(end date flexible), who are interested in horticulture and could provide regular care to patio plants at least one day per week, about 1-4 hours per week. Volunteer can take care of plants on Tuesdays or Thursdays anytime between 8-6pm. Student to communicate all lengthy and scheduled absences to supervisor to arrange coverage during this absence. Hours can vary during summer as long as mutually agreed upon between volunteer and supervisor. Orientation will be provided. The student must possess self-motivation, good judgement, good communication, and reliability to maintain this summer commitment to keep plants alive and thriving for the seniors in this day program. 

This is a wonderful opportunity for volunteers who seek flex hours but who enjoy working with plants and providing an independent, indirect service to program for seniors with dementia.  

*For students, there is a potential for 20-30 SSL hours for a 8 week summer commitment. July 1 - September 1, 2023 (negotiable).

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Volunteer drivers are needed to give safe rides to older adults and adults with disabilities for medical appointments, grocery shopping or other essential errands, worship services, and social outings. When you volunteer to drive for one of the participating programs below, you view and accept ride requests online, at your convenience, and give only the rides that work for you. It's very easy and rewarding, and every ride helps. 

JCA's VillageRides supports the following volunteer transportation programs in Montgomery County, in their efforts to recruit volunteer drivers to help their senior neighbors who are aging in place and adults with disabilities who cannot drive themselves.

To volunteer, please contact JCA VillageRides 301-255-4212 or your nearest volunteer driver organization directly. Contact information for our partners are below.

Bannockburn Neighbors Assisting Neighbors: 301-229-5639

Burning Tree Village: 240-389-3829

Gaithersburg Help: 301-216-2510

Greater Stonegate Village: 240-918-7989

Kemp Mill Village: 301-649-5031

North Chevy Chase Connections: 240-343-2446

Olney Home for Life: 301-446-2512

Parkside Village: 301-284-0560

Potomac Community Village: 240-221-1370

Villages of Kensington: 301-509-0191

Village of Takoma Park: 301-646-2109

WUMCO Help Inc.: 240-972-8481

Join the village movement, and share the journey! Volunteers:

Give the Gift of a Lift and Volunteer to drive today!