VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION WEEK IS APRIL 21-27

THANK YOU JCS VOLUNTEERS

A special thank you to all our volunteers, past and present, for being a JCS Volunteer.

Volunteers are a gift to our community and add to the well-being of our JCS clients. This month, we honor, thank and appreciate our volunteers for being there for our clients and the community at large.

To all our Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Friendly Callers and Friendly Visitors, Shoppers, Tutors and more, we can't do it without you so thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We truly value all of you!

WELCOME NEW and *RETURNING VOLUNTEERS 

Charlotte “Dolly” Ashman – Memory Café Volunteer

Laurie Bokow – Memory Café Volunteer

Chaya Frenkel – Big Sister

Noach Lurman – Tutor

Joel Michlin – Memory Café Volunteer*

THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

We all know that volunteering is a great way to give back to your community. As noted in a recent article in Forbes Magazine, volunteering is also a way to “reap your own rewards—in terms of happiness, salary, career growth and fulfillment. With burnout, stress, dissatisfaction and mental health issues at record highs, volunteering offers an important way to build your own wellbeing while you’re giving back.” Even with busy schedules we often find the time to volunteer in some capacity knowing that it will have a positive effect on someone, including oneself.

According to the BioLife poll, those surveyed reported that they felt an increased sense of purpose (45% of people), increased happiness (36%), improved mental wellbeing (26%), greater self-esteem and self-confidence (20%) and reduced stress (11%). And 49% volunteered because they expected personal fulfillment.

So, get involved, spread the word and do something for yourself while helping to change the world. It will do your body and your mind some good!

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2024/01/21/for-happiness-and-career-growth-consider-the-power-of-volunteering/?sh=7292845a349c

FUN FACTS

In 2020, because of the pandemic, the value of a volunteer hour witnessed an almost 5% boost and the value of the volunteer hour in the US in 2021 was $29.95, up from $28.54 in 2020. The District of Columbia has the highest average volunteer hour value at $50.48. Maryland’s is $32.82.



MORE EYE-OPENING VOLUNTEER STATISTICS

• Over 1 billion people around the world are volunteers.
• An estimated 64 million Americans volunteer every year.
• This equates to $139 billion worth of time annually.
• American volunteers donate 50 hours of their time per year on average, which adds up to over 6.9 billion volunteer hours.
• Currently, the US has nearly 2 million active nonprofits.
• 85% of volunteers see themselves as more likely to donate money to nonprofits.
• Over two-thirds of volunteers find opportunities online.
• 64% of volunteers are women, and 36% are men.
• The average age of a volunteer is 42.

Source: https://techjury.net/blog/volunteering-statistics/

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

IN THE COMMUNITY

JCS PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

Memory Café

For individuals with memory changes and their care partners to participate together in meeting new friends and enjoying refreshments, conversation, and engaging activities.

Meets the 3rd Tuesday each month from 2:00 –3:00 pm at the Pikesville Senior Center, 2nd Floor, Baltimore County Public Library.

Mindful Art With A Purpose

Experiment with different means of creative self-expression to develop self-awareness, enhance mental well-being, and foster healing. Next workshop meets May 29 and June 5 via Zoom.

Good Company

Virtual Get-Togethers for People 60+

Are you looking for good company and interesting conversation? Drop-in for a chat. Bring a friend. Make some new ones.

Meets the 1st Wednesday of each month from 12:00 – 1:00 pm via Zoom.

JCS MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS

Living with Low Vision

2nd Thursday of each month, 1:30 pm @ the Myerberg Center

Living with Parkinson's Disease

2nd Tuesday of each month

@ 2:00 pm via Zoom

When Your Loved One Has Parkinson’s Disease

3rd Tuesday of each month

@ 10:00 am via Zoom.

When Your Loved One Has Dementia

1st & 3rd Mondays of each month @ 10:00 am via Zoom

GRIEF SUPPORT

Are you grieving after the death of a loved one? Connect with others who are grieving, give and receive emotional support, and learn ways to care for yourself and adjust to life after loss.

Grieving Together After the Loss of a Loved One

8-week groups forming now. Inquire here.

Healing Conversations for Suicide Loss Survivors

Meets the 2nd Thursday each month from 7:00 – 8:30 pm via Zoom.

For information on any of our Grief Support Programs, contact

Donna Kane at dkane@jcsbaltimore.org or 410-843-7394.

JCS has programs to help you care for yourself.

View our calendar for information about all our upcoming programs, workshops & meaningful conversations. 

CONTACT INFORMATION