Make a difference with a creative project that directly impacts lives in our community. Contact Volunteer Services to create your own project as an individual or with a group. DIY volunteer ideas make for great b’nai mitzvah projects. For the most up-to-date needs of JFS and those we serve, please contact Volunteer Services at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Once a month, volunteers make contactless grocery delivery to an assigned list of community members.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers assist with set up, clean up and/or day of tasks for events. Some heavy lifting will be involved.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers help distribute food and toiletries, restock items and clean up after the shift. Volunteers should be able to lift at least 25 pounds and must be 18 years of age or older.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers pick up pre-made bags of groceries and make contact-free deliveries to community members in need.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

The 2022 JFS Community-Wide Food Drive begins Sunday, September 25 with announcements at Rosh Hashanah and culminates with the Food Sort on Sunday, October 16. The Food Sort is an excellent opportunity for individuals, families and groups to help the Polack Food Bank sort and organize thousands of pounds of donations. A special thank you to our dedicated volunteers and community partners who step up each year to make this all possible.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Various clerical tasks, filing, shredding, data entry and other tasks as needed.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers deliver special holiday baskets around Rosh Hashanah, Chanukah, Purim and Passover to local community members. This is a contactless delivery and is a great opportunity for families.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers assist with in-person translation between Polack Food Bank staff and food bank guests. Volunteers are also needed for special projects such as auditing, written translation and phone calls.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers assist with in-person translation between Polack Food Bank staff and food bank guests. Volunteers are also needed for special projects such as auditing, written translation and phone calls.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers make contactless deliveries of Kosher Shabbat meals to community members two Fridays per month.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Sponsor Circles (also called “community sponsorship”) are groups of at least five individuals who come together to directly support the resettlement of newly arrived Afghans.

For information on how to form a Sponsor Circle or how best to support the Afghan refugees you’re sponsoring, contact HIAS or Sponsor Circles.

For local assistance with a range of needs you may encounter as a Sponsor Circle, please refer to the list below:

Connecting to local Afghan communities:
Afghan American Community of WA 
Afghan Health Initiative
Muslim Association of Puget Sound – American Muslim Empowerment Network (MAPS-AMEN)

Interpretation and language services:
Tarjimly (free and premium service options available)
Universal Language Service
Telelanguage

Legal services:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)
Human Rights First Afghan legal assistance request form

If you would like to support Afghan refugees through volunteer opportunities with JFS or are not yet ready to form your own Sponsor Circle, please follow the links below to get started.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers harvest produce and weed garden beds as needed. This opportunity is best for ages 8 or older—please consider your child’s ability to wear a mask and gloves for the entire two hours in varying weather conditions before signing up.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers collect, transport and sort gleaned produce at the end of the market day. Volunteers should be able to lift at least 25 pounds for this opportunity.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Please contact volunteer@jfsseattle.org for more details about each of these projects.

• Sponsor an apartment set up: procure all of the essential household items needed to help welcome newly arrived refugees into their new homes. Items include: pots and pans, utensils, bedding and hygiene items. We ask that these items be new for the health and safety of our new neighbors. Groups are also welcome to assist with moving in and setting up an apartment.
• Procure furniture donations: procure large, gently used furniture items such as couches, dining tables and chairs for newly arrived refugees and store them until the resettlement team is ready to move them into an apartment.
• Host an in-kind drive: create and run your own in-kind drive in your community to support our new neighbors. Sample drives include: coats, kid toys, diapers and wipes and feminine hygiene items. We ask that these items be new for the health and safety of our community members.
• Create a non-perishable food box for a family of four: create and donate a food box of items culturally specific to newly arriving refugee families.
• Make “welcome cards”: Letters or cards are appreciated with positive, warm messages. These will be left for families once an apartment is set up for them, providing a colorful welcome from the community.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers assist ESL teacher in virtually tutoring a small class helping to promote independent learning and comfort in American society at the beginning and intermediate levels.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers lead small group discussions for our advanced ESL students. These students have graduated from our program but are still wanting to hone their skills. Many students have studied alongside each other for over a year so these small groups continue to foster that sense of community found in the (virtual) classroom!

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Volunteers are thoughtfully paired with an individual to help provide virtual companionship and community connection, reducing social isolation and the negative mental health outcomes that can come with it.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.

Mentors help support and coach highly-skilled individuals in reestablishing their careers in the U.S. Mentees in the program have advanced degrees and years of experience in a professional field. The benefits of a one-on-one relationship include expansion of professional networks, trust with an industry expert and the opportunity to learn from one another. The professional mentor role is one of shared responsibility and mutual benefit. We are often looking for professionals from, but not limited to: Law, Engineering, Computer Science / Information Technology (I.T.) / Data Analytics and/or Business Management.

Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.