News & Impact

Across all the regions JFCS serves, volunteers play a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission to care for the community. Their time, energy, and compassion make meaningful work possible, and their impact is felt every day.

April is Global Volunteer Appreciation Month—a time to recognize those who dedicate themselves to supporting others and strengthening their communities. In that spirit, we’re highlighting just a few of the many ways JFCS volunteers are making an impact.

Read on to see just a few of the many ways JFCS volunteers are showing up to support people in need.

Families with young children volunteered at our Mitzvah Makers events around the Bay Area, preparing delicious kosher meal kits for people in need. The kids decorated the delivery bags with heartfelt messages and drawings to show recipients they were cared for. For some families, this special event was the kids’ first introduction to giving back, all centered around Jewish values of caring for one’s community and performing acts of loving-kindness.

UC Berkeley student, Bryce Jacks, volunteers with Shupin Social Club—JFCS’ meet-up group for neurodivergent young adults. Shupin participants regularly attend “Science with Bryce” events, where he shares his love of science by leading the group in fun, educational experiments across biology, physics, and chemistry. “It started when I was studying for the MCAT and noticed that a lot of the residents had this really strong curiosity—they were always trying to figure things out. So I started putting together simple demonstrations and activities. Over time, it grew into something we all enjoy.”

JFCS YouthFirst volunteer Marley Freyman led other teens for “Sukkat Shalom,” a volunteer event to create care packages for survivors of intimate partner violence. The gifts included handmade candles and letters of support for the recipients. “Seeing women around the world face so much injustice, it was rewarding to be able to give back to that community and support other women,” Marley comments.

JFCS Young Adult Community Connection members volunteered with Chicken Soupers—a decades-old partnership project between JFCS and Congregation Sherith Israel and Beth Sholom to feed homebound seniors and chronically ill people around San Francisco. The volunteers prepared the fully-cooked kosher meals and packaged them for delivery to people in need.

Pat Blackburn regularly volunteers for shifts at the JFCS Food Bank in San Francisco, helping clients make sure they get all of the nutritious foods and household staples they need for the week. Pat also volunteers as a Safe At Home caller, reaching out to seniors and adults with disabilities to prevent feelings of isolation and to make sure clients are safe. “I spoke to someone a while ago, in her 80s, who bought a guitar and taught herself how to play. She started writing songs on her own, and I asked her to play one for me, and she did!” recalled Pat.

In JFCS’ newly relaunched Canine Corps program, volunteers bring their furry friends to a multi-week certification class to prepare them as therapy dogs. The course prepares the dogs to visit older adults and adults with disabilities to spread comfort and companionship to people who need it most. “Sharon used to be an avid dog walker, always out on the trails in San Francisco and Marin. She can’t do that anymore, so I try to bring a little of that world back to her,” says DJ Freyman, one of the Canine Corps volunteers.

These stories reflect just some of the many ways JFCS volunteers bring care, connection, and compassion to our community. Their dedication strengthens every program we offer and reminds us of the power of showing up for one another. We’re proud to honor their contributions this month—and all year long.