The Connections Bridgewater-Somerville June-2019

The research is in… Being a volunteer is good for both the body and the soul. According to the AARP, studies show that volunteers expe- rience greater self-esteem, happiness, an enhanced sense of well-being, and a renewed sense of purpose. Volunteering can help you stay physically healthy, reducing stress and anxiety. By helping others, you help yourself! JFS of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren counties (JFS) offers people of all ages ongo- ing weekly or short-term volunteer opportu- nities that can be tailored to individual skills, interests, and passions. Many older adults in our community are frail and isolated and would benefit from compan- ionship, conversation, assistance getting to doctors, or help with basic tasks around the home. JFS addresses this need through four programs that help build mutually enriching relationships between seniors and volunteers. Two new programs, the Cooking Companion Program and the Senior Shopper Program , join our ongoing Senior Mentor Volunteer Program and the Good Deeds Corps . We are excited to launch our new Cooking Companion Program . Volunteers will visit seniors in the community to cook and eat a light healthy meal together on a monthly basis. The visits will provide a unique oppor- tunity to develop companionship and con- nection. The Senior Shopper Program pro- vides free grocery shopping/delivery services to local seniors and people with disabilities with the added benefit of a friendly visit. Par- ticipants reimburse the volunteers for the cost of the groceries. The JFS Senior Mentor Volunteer Program recruits, trains, matches, and supervises vol- unteers to work with seniors for a minimum of a year. Volunteers help their seniors in many ways. They decrease isolation with reg- ular weekly visits, act as advocates connecting seniors to resources in the community, go on local outings, play games, watch movies together, or listen to music. Volunteers are able to be creative when planning activities with their senior. One senior mentor volun- teer shared the following: “I visit a 96-year-old woman living in her own home. She is so smart and has weathered so many storms in her lifetime. I feel that she is an inspiration to me, and I know that I am making a difference for her.” The JFS Good Deed Corps offers volunteers an opportunity to provide seniors with short term support that is focused around socializa- tion, cognitive skills, help with gardening, grocery shopping, transport to medical appointments, or other support based on the needs of the senior. One Good Deeds Corps volunteer, Judy, spent the last year driving a local Holocaust survivor to the JFS socialization program, Café Europa. Their rides together provided the two with the opportunity to learn about each other and the survivor was able to attend a beloved social program on a regular basis. JFS recruits and trains interested volunteers throughout the year. Volunteers participate in trainings and in ongoing meetings with other volunteers and professional staff. For more information or to register contact JFS social worker, Maris Chavenson at 908-725-7799 ext 100. Anyone interested in referring a home- bound older person or a family should con- tact JFS. JFS is a not for profit, nonsectarian social serv- ice agency serving the needs of individuals and families in Somerset, Hunterdon and War- ren Counties since 1980. JFS is committed to serving the needs of the entire community and offers a continuum of programs and serv- ices. Licensed clinical social workers provide individual, couple and family counseling as well as geriatric assessments, supportive counseling and case management services for home bound elderly. The Family Mentor Pro- gram recruits, trains and matches volunteers with vulnerable young families or with elderly persons for friendly, supportive, in-home vis- its. Families with children with special needs are assisted through social groups, parent groups and through the Family Mentor Pro- gram. Career Counseling helps individuals in many aspects of their job search. Ohr Tikvah- Light of Hope Jewish Healing Services offers presentations, support groups, and individual spiritual counseling to address the health, wellness and healing needs of the community. All information is confidential. Many pro- grams are at no cost, on a sliding fee scale or payable through third party insurance. If you are interested in learning more about JFS’ programs, please contact us at 908-725-7799, email us at Admin@JewishFamilySvc.org, visit our website: www.JewishFamilySvc.org and like us on Facebook. Jewish Family Service of SHW, Inc. 150-A West High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. JFS LAUNCHES NEW VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS TO ASSIST SENIORS By: Maris Chavenson, LCSW The Dessert Plate Baked Goods from Scratch 34 E. Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 908-722-9881 info@thedessertplate.com www.thedessertplate.com Tue-Fri: 7am-5pm • Sat-Sun: 8am-1pm (closed last Sunday of each month) Monday: Closed Baked goods from scratch, the old fashioned way with real ingredients, butter, flour, sugar, eggs. For celebrations, for special occasions, for new traditions, for any time… Enjoy! PAGE 54 Looking for a meaningful, flexible opportunity to share your compassion, companionship and even culinary or gardening skills? We are seeking volunteers to help us provide fresh, healthy meals for home bound, frail and isolated older adults. For more information about volunteer opportunities, contact 908-725-7799 or Email Maris Chavenson at marisc@jewishfamilysvc.org Or visit our website www.JewishFamilySvc.org Brian M. Cige Attorney At Law Cigelaw@gmail.com 7 East High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876 908.685.3775 WWW. CIGELAW .COM shop somerville theconnectionsnj.com