Volunteers are, and have always been, the heart of Jewish Family Service. Volunteers began the work of JFS in 1892, and it is volunteers who continue helping individuals and families in our community today. Volunteers are instrumental in fulfilling our mission to help people achieve well-being, health and stability.
Become a friendly visitor, like Emma, and help make a difference.
Read MoreThank you for your interest in volunteering with JFS. At this time, we have very limited in-person volunteer opportunities available due to COVID-19. Please consider signing up for our monthly e-newsletter and liking us on social media to find out about our most current and pressing needs. We appreciate your continued support during these uncertain times.
To be a JFS volunteer we ask you to do the following:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Bag bulk dry foods that will be used in the Food Bank.
Shifts:
Every other first Monday of the month, six times a year, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Assist citizenship teachers in tutoring a small class of refugee and immigrant students at the JFS Eastside Office. Assistants help promote independent learning and functioning in American society, while preparing students to pass the U.S. citizenship test.
Hours and Commitment:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Recommended:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Collect new warm, waterproof or water-resistant, winter coats. We need children’s, women’s and men’s. Small and medium are the most needed sizes, but we can use a few large, too.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Help individuals and families as they visit our Eastside Food Bank in the Crossroads neighborhood during open hours once a month. The Food Bank operates a consumer-choice model where people choose products according to their personal needs and preferences. Our goal is to provide people the food and toiletries they need with the dignity they deserve.
Shifts:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Recommended:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Assist ESL teachers in tutoring a small class of refugee and immigrant students at the JFS Eastside Office.
Hours and Commitment:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Tutor refugees in their home or an agreed upon public space, concentrating on conversational and survival English.
Hours and Commitment:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Assist with setting up or day-of tasks for events.
Setup Assistance
Typically, on Fridays before an event, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Day-Of Assistance
Duties include event support, leading various stations, assisting staff, general set-up and clean up. Some heavy lifting may be involved.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Help individuals and families as they visit the Food Bank during open hours. The Food Bank operates a consumer-choice model where people choose products according to their personal needs and preferences. Our goal is to provide people the food and toiletries they need with the dignity they deserve.
Shifts:
Typically, one day a week during Food Bank hours.
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Recommended:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Volunteers will prepare, load and deliver needed items to homebound individuals and families on a designated route. A personal vehicle is required for this position.
This is a great opportunity for families!
Shifts:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Help Food Bank staff prepare, load and deliver needed items to homebound individuals and families. JFS staff will drive the agency’s van. Volunteers are not required to drive for this position.
Shifts:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Help staff prepare the Food Bank. Weekly volunteers are needed for consistent shifts. Volunteers are also needed for special projects and on-call.
Shifts:
Responsibilities can include:
Requirements:
Recommended:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Our annual Community-Wide Food Drive & Sort looks a little different this year, due to COVID-19. But we need your help more than ever to make sure our community has access to healthy and nutritious food! Because gathering in large numbers for the Food Sort won’t be possible this year, we are pivoting to a new, monthly food drive model. Round up your friends and family to launch your own mini food drive, or engage your synagogue, school or company if you’re part of an organization.
Our mini food drives will be taking place each month through the end of 2020. Learn more about the drives and sign up for one today!
Interested in making a smaller, one-time donation? We accept donations year-round and are currently offering contactless drop-offs at our main Capitol Hill campus. Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155 for more information.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Build caring, meaningful relationships with older adults or people with disabilities. Volunteers are thoughtfully paired with an individual to help provide companionship and community connection, reducing social isolation and the negative mental health outcomes that can come with it.
Hours and Commitment:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Recommended:
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
Provide reception and general administrative support for the JFS Eastside Office where Refugee & Immigrant Services are offered.
Hours and Commitment:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Recommended:
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.
Warm gloves and socks are in high demand during the cold and rainy season in Seattle. Help keep community members warm with these small, but meaningful items. Adult sizes needed.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
The Polack Food Bank needs paper grocery bags with two sturdy handles. People visiting the Food Bank use these bags to carry their items home, and JFS staff use them to deliver food to homebound individuals.
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 shared responsibility and mutual benefit.
We are often looking for professionals from, but not limited to, the following careers:
Hours and Commitment:
Responsibilities:
Requirements:
Be respectful to and comfortable working with diverse populations and support the JFS mission.
Contact us at volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3155.
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