The Connection Bridgewater-Somerville Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2018

PAGE 68 THE BRIDGEWATER-SOMERVILLE CONNECTION SEPT/OCT/NOV 2018 • Make a difference in someone’s life • Find meaning and purpose • Share your knowledge, experience & compassion • Receive ongoing support For more information contact JFS at 908-725-7799 or admin@jewishfamilysvc.org or www.JewishFamilySvc.org “Take hold of him that he fall not and come to need” - Maimonides Volunteering leads to better health, a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and increased life satisfaction! Volunteer Opportunities: Be a mentor to a family or a senior - Offer telephone reassurance Provide companionship to a frail senior - Change a light bulb Escort a senior to a medical appointment Go shopping - Be a Handyman - Share a special interest Cook with a senior and share a meal - Offer to Drive Grow vegetables and donate them to those in need Sometimes it’s the simplest things that mean so much Volunteers receive training, supervision, and support Volunteers Wanted w ww.alltirecompany.com Approved Auto Repair Come in to see Ray, Mike and Matty for all of your car-care needs Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-6pm Sat. 7:30am-4pm Sun. 9am-4pm Car Wash on Site $ 22 95 • New Oil Filter Installed • Fill Crankcase up to 5 qts Major Brand Oil • Semi & Full Synthetic Oil also available • Free Preventive Maintenance Inspection No other discounts apply. Must present coupon to get this price. Shop supply/hazmat material fees will be added. Offer expires 11/30/18. OIL CHANGE SPECIAL! $ 10 00 OFF With Coupon. Most Vehicles. No other discounts apply. Additional charge for shop supplies may be added. Offer expires 11/30/18. Any Service over $100 3221 Rt. 22E. • Branchburg Across from Shoprite and Wendys behind Mobil Gas Station Towing NJ State Inspection and Emissions Repair 908-725-7373 The research is in…Being a volunteer is good for both the body and the soul. According to the AARP, studies show that volunteers experience 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 ongoing weekly or short-term volunteer opportunities that can be tailored to indi- vidual skills, interests, and passions. Many older adults in our community are frail and isolated and would benefit from companionship, conversation, assistance getting to doctors, or help with basic tasks around the home. JFS has addressed this need through two programs that help build mutually enriching relationships between seniors and volunteers: The Senior Mentor Volunteer Program and the Good Deeds Corps. The JFS Senior Mentor Volunteer Pro- gram recruits, trains, matches, and super- vises volunteers to work with seniors for a minimum of a year. Volunteers help their seniors in many ways. They decrease iso- lation with regular weekly visits, act as advocates connecting seniors to resources in the community, go on local outings, play games, watch movies together, or lis- ten to music. Volunteers are able to be creative when planning activities with their senior. One senior mentor volunteer 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 inspi- ration to me, and I know that I am making a difference for her.” The JFS Good Deed Corps offers volun- teers an opportunity to provide seniors with short term support that is focused around socialization, cognitive skills, help with gardening, grocery shopping, trans- port 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 Holo- caust survivor to the JFS socialization pro- gram, 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 pro- gram on a regular basis. JFS recruits and trains interested volun- teers throughout the year to be matched as senior mentors or with our Family Mentoring Program. Volunteers complete 9 hours of training and participate in ongoing meetings with other volunteers and professional staff. The next mentor training will be in the Fall, 2018. For more information or to register contact JFS social worker, Maris Chavenson at 908- 725-7799 ext 100. Anyone interested in referring a homebound older person or a family should contact JFS. JFS is a not for profit, nonsectarian social service agency serving the needs of indi- viduals and families in Somerset, Hunter- don and Warren Counties since 1980. JFS is committed to serving the needs of the entire community and offers a continuum of programs and services. Licensed clini- cal social workers provide individual, cou- ple and family counseling as well as geri- atric assessments, supportive counseling and case management services for home bound elderly. The Family Mentor Pro- gram recruits, trains and matches volun- teers with vulnerable young families or with elderly persons for friendly, support- ive, in-home visits. Families with children with special needs are assisted through social groups, parent groups and through the Family Mentor Program. Career Coun- seling helps individuals in many aspects of their job search. Ohr Tikvah-Light of Hope Jewish Healing Services offers pre- sentations, support groups, and individ- ual spiritual counseling to address the health, wellness and healing needs of the community. All information is confiden- tial. Many programs 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. VOLUNTEER TO LIVE A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE! By: Maris Chavenson, LCSW www.theconnectionsnj.com