JANUARY 2022
HAPPY NEW YEAR
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JCS Volunteer Services
wishes you and your family
a happy and healthy 2022.

JCS BUILDING UPDATES 
Out of an abundance of caution and concern for our staff and clients, we are back to working remotely through January 17 to assure everyone’s safety. Please reach out prior to planning a visit to the building to ensure that we are back in person. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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JCS welcomes back clients and visitors to our Park Heights and Owings Mills buildings. While in JCS buildings, everyone is required to:  
◦ Provide proof of vaccination prior
to entering these offices. 
◦ Complete a health screening.   
◦ Complete a temperature check. 
◦ Wear a mask.   
◦ Maintain proper social distancing.  
 
Please consider our Notice of Updated Requirements for Entry which must be completed prior to entering our offices. As has been our practice throughout the pandemic, JCS will continue to work with The Associated and our community health partners to monitor state guidelines and make any adaptations to our plans that may be necessary to ensure staff, client, and visitor safety. 

More information is available at jcsbalt.org/news
JANUARY IS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
During the month of January, volunteer mentors across the country are being recognized for their commitment and effort to children needing supportive, caring adults in their lives. Today, January 6, is “I Am A Mentor Day” and January 27 is “Thank A Mentor Day.” Please join us in saying thank you to all mentors who are changing lives.

Often the Bigs in our Big Brother Big Sister program share their thoughts and feelings with us about their match. One of our Big Sisters expressed how grateful she feels to have been a part of her Little Sister's social transformation during the years that they were matched. She said that she watched her Little Sister transform from being a victim of bullies at school into a socially confident young lady.

Not only are our Bigs changing the lives of others, but theirs are changing as well. "Being a Big has really enhanced my life!" stated another one of our Bigs.
YOU MADE AN IMPACT
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Even with the chaos of COVID, JCS volunteers supported the community in every way possible. We are grateful for your time, effort, and care. 
From a Friendly Caller Volunteer:
“She’s very appreciative of my efforts to entertain her and very disappointed when I for some reason didn’t call her, so I try to do it regularly. I think it’s good experience for both of us and I continue to do this.”

From a Big Brother Volunteer: 
“I don't really know how typical my experience with my “Little” is overall. We slowly morphed from being this JCS overseen Big Brother/Little Brother relationship, to feeling like we were truly family. That was also aided by the fact that my “Little's” older brother also had a Big Brother, who I quickly became good friends with, and who is also a part of our family to this day. So, there's this “Family” thing that goes on today that I'm grateful to have in my life. Perhaps that's a bit unusual and it wasn't anything that I expected, but it's been a wonderful gift to have in my life. I have no doubt that my friendship with my “Little” will be a life-long one.”  
WELCOME TO OUR NEW AND
RETURNING VOLUNTEERS
Big Sisters
Shifra Goldberg
Elisheva Hirschman
Racheli Horowitz 
Rachel Tova Klainberg
Chana Marwick
Eta Miller
Shayna Rothstein 
Miriam Stieglitz 
Rina Weiss
Rachel Yasnyi 
Avigayil Zelinger
 
Virtual Tutor
Annette Snyder
STAFF UPDATES
JCS Volunteer Services would like to introduce Michelle N. Goldberg, LCSW-C, to our team as Senior Manager of Community Engagement & Partnerships!

Michelle is a seasoned clinician and manager who has extensive experience developing and implementing programming and cultivating community partnerships. Those of you who have been volunteering with JCS for a long time may recognize Michelle from her many years of service at our founding agency, Jewish Family Services, during which she held several roles including as a manager in the Special Needs Department, supervisor of the Intake Office, and clinical social worker for immigrants resettling from the former Soviet Union. 

In her career, Michelle has also provided clinical and programmatic services for Beth Tfiloh Community School, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Jewish Federation of Howard County, and the Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area. We feel fortunate that Michelle is bringing her skills and experience to JCS as a member of the Community Connections Department. 
VOLUNTEER/CLIENT IN-PERSON VISITS 
Your willingness to volunteer for JCS in a variety of capacities is very much appreciated. As you contribute to the community in volunteer service, your safety and the safety of those you serve is paramount. JCS has decided that all volunteers who will have in-person contact with service recipients will be required to be vaccinated against COVID. As you know, many that we serve are vulnerable older or infirm adults or are children under age 12 who cannot be vaccinated at this time. Consequently, it is critical that we take every measure to keep them as safe and healthy as possible. We require that you share proof of your vaccination before we permit in-person activity. We appreciate your understanding of our decision.  

If you wish to participate as an in-person volunteer such as a “Friendly Visitor” or “Shopper” for your client, we ask that you please complete this Volunteer Services Agreement acknowledging that you have read, understand, and accept the terms of this vaccination policy and to upload your vaccination verification. It will be necessary to provide this information to have in-person contact with those receiving services. The information will be shared only with the individual or family to whom you provide volunteer services and/or an agency partnering with JCS to make the volunteer match.  
EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

January 16 and 17, 2022


MLK Day of Service, one of Jewish Volunteer Connection’s four annual events, engages the community in service-learning experiences focused on social justice issues as well as hands-on volunteer opportunities throughout Baltimore. Join JVC at this year’s 2022 National Day of Service that transforms Dr. King’s life and teachings into community action and learning.
Make MLK Day a day “On,” not a day “Off!”

Visit jvcbaltimore.org for more information and to register.
Virtual Get Togethers for People 55+
1st & 3rd Wednesdays of each month
12:00 – 1:00 pm

Have plans for lunch? Drop-in for a chat. Bring a friend. Make some new ones.
 
Worth Your Investment
January 6 & 20 
12:00 – 1:00 pm via Zoom 

Learn key pillars for actively building your mental wealth. There’s no better way to invest in yourself. 
JCS has programs to help you care for yourself.
View our calendar for information about all our upcoming programs, workshops & meaningful conversations. 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
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To all our volunteers celebrating a birthday,
we wish you many happy days ahead. 
CONTACT INFORMATION
The best way to contact JCS staff is by email. 
Michelle N. Goldberg: mgoldberg@jcsbaltimore.org / 410-843-7355 
Rozi Rice: rrice@jcsbaltimore.org /410-843-7325
Amy Meyers Steinberg: asteinberg@jcsbaltimore.org / 410-843-7457  
jcsbalt.org / 410-466-9200