Volunteer Opportunities

Drive A Mile And Bring A Smile

Deliver prepared meals to homebound, low-income area residents. Two hours, bi-weekly. Mileage reimbursement. Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.
Drivers are especially needed in Nelson and Greene Counties.

FISH Tutor/Mentor

Want to make a difference in a child's life? You can by being a FISH tutor/mentor. Volunteer one hour a week during the academic year at a public elementary school near you or at JABA's new preschool, Shining Star, located on Hillsdale Drive. Training is ongoing. For more information, contact the FISH Leaderhip Team at 434-817-5289 or .

Twice Is Nice Upscale Resale Boutique

Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions Monday – Saturday at JABA's thrift shop in Preston Plaza in Charlottesville. Volunteer opportunities include: customer service, sorting donations, marketing, picking up donations and more. Proceeds from Twice Is Nice benefit JABA's Mountainside Senior Living.

Volunteer Ombudsman

It's a job that demands understanding, good listening and mediating skills and the ability to be assertive, but patient. Volunteer Ombudsman work to improve the quality of life for those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as provide support to their families.

Participants must complete 20 hours of training and make a minimum commitment of 4 hours of volunteer time per week. Retirees are especially welcome. Our next training is going to be held on Thursdays in September, beginning September 8 and running through September 29, from 8:30- 12:30, at our Hillsdale Drive office.

For more information about our next training session and/or volunteer ombudmans program, contact Beth Hochstetler, JABA Volunteer Ombudsman Specialist, 434-817-5271.

Computer Savvy Help Needed

Are you good with computers? Help is needed for several projects underway at JABA and Twice is Nice. Training is provided and hours are flexible.

Development Committee Members Needed.

JABA is seeking Development Committee members. Team members are enthusiastic and have the energy to devote to achieving successful fundraising. The committee is essential to the life and well-being of JABA whose mission is, “promoting, establishing and preserving sustainable communities for healthy aging that benefit individuals and
families of all ages.”

Members are task oriented and committed to increasing the philanthropic efforts of JABA through the initiation and cultivation of donating relationships that lead to a long-term partnership and financial support. Committee meetings are 8:30 a.m. the third Tuesday of each month. If you are interested, please call Lida Hurst, C.F.R.E, JABA’s Chief Development Officer, at 434-817-5221 to learn more.

Event Planning

Do you like event planning? JABA conducts many events during the year to raise money for food, shelter and health care for the elderly and disabled and to raise awareness of our mission, volunteers and services. Hours and times are flexible to your schedule and timing of events.

Friendly Visiting

Provide on-on-one social contact with homebound elderly resident. Training provided. Hours and times and days flexible. In resident's home or apartment in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson

Pet Therapy

Do you and your four legged friends want to enrich the lives of seniors and disabled adults? If your dog is trained in pet therapy you can visit one of JABA’s Community Centers in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa or Nelson or the Adult Care Centers in Charlottesville and Louisa for great socialization. The pet therapy support group meets at the Adult Care Center in Charlottesville on Tuesday mornings. Hours and times are flexible during the day, M-F.

Planning and Development

Assist JABA's development office with fundraising activities and JABA's business development office with planning assistance. Hours, days and times flexible. Training provided. 674 Hillsdale Drive, Charlottesville

Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic

Join over 7,000 volunteers nationally in helping to provide more than 185,000 people with print disabilities the books they need to learn and succeed. Narrate the text and describe any visual elements. There is a current shortage in proficient readers in math, science, finance, accounting, computer sciences and foreign language. Commit to a 1.5 hour session one time a week M-W 9-6, Th-F 9-3, S 9-12. Recording studio located in Charlottesville

Share Your Talent, Serve Your Community!

Support activities at JABA community centers and adult care centers in Charlottesville, Esmont, Scottsville, Fork Union, Louisa, Lovingston, or Stanardsville. Share your interests and talents in entertaining, arts and crafts, inspirational needs, flower arranging, meal servers, pet therapy, exercise, sewing, reminiscing, and more with area seniors attending the centers. Time and Hours are flexible during weekdays.

Spanish Translators Needed

JABA's VICAP, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, is looking for Spanish translators to assist in counseling sessions for clients on an as-needed basis. VICAP offers free health insurance information, one-on-one counseling, and claims filing assistance to Medicare beneficiaries and their families.

Transportation

Help an elderly adult to run errands or get to appointments by providing them with transportation assistance. You will need your own vehicle, a valid driver’s license and insurance. Specific times need to be arranged with the individual. Some flexibility on your part is needed for day time appointments during the week. We serve residents in the city of Charlottesville, and in Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson counties

Volunteer Services Volunteer

Assist community residents looking for an opportunity to serve. Position requires contacting volunteers, publishing volunteer opportunities on websites and providing administrative support. Knowledge of Facebook and ability to produce flyers is a plus.

Studies show that volunteering helps us live longer and add to the meaning and quality of our lives. Do you have a special talent or skill you would like to contribute? Do you like working with older adults, youth, or contributing to meet our communities’ needs? JABA will find a volunteer opportunity for you in one of our many programs or at one of over 100 other nonprofit agencies in the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.

JABA recruits and trains volunteers to act as ombudsmen (advocates) for residents at long-term care facilities. See details about the volunteer training program on the Long Term Care Advocate (Ombudsmen) program page.

Volunteers of all ages are welcomed at JABA. JABA also sponsors the RSVP Program, which is America’s largest volunteer network for people 55 years of age and over.

• Contact Us »

  JABA is a great place to volunteer. Call or e-mail us today!

  Manager, Volunteer Services

  Martha Williams

  Phone: 434-817-5245

  FAX: 434-817-5230

  FISH Coordinator
  Marguerite David
  434-817-5229
  

   

• Volunteer Awards & Recognition »

  JABA Volunteer of the Year:

  • 1999 Margaret Long
  • 2000 Ely Bibb
  • 2001 Myra Spencer
  • 2002 Catherine O'Shea
  • 2003 Frances Lee Vandel
  • 2004 Lou Pinto
  • 2005 Elise K Brigham
  • 2006 Hank Morgan
  • 2007 Bessie Williams
  • 2008 Emmet and Alice Fox
  • 2009 Earl Moyers
  • 2010 Marilyn Fantino
  • 2011 Sally Mank

  JABA Lifetime Achievement Award :

  • 2009 Angell Husted

  MetLife Older Americans Enrich America Award:

  • 2009 Chuck Strauss
  • 2010 Marilyn Fantino

  Virginia Healthcare Association Adult Volunteer of the Year:

  • 2009 Hank Morgan

  Governor's Award for Volunteerism & Community Service:

  • 2008 Sally Mank
• Program Overview »

  Join JABA’s Volunteer Services Program to make your mark in a volunteer opportunity within JABA Community Centers and programs, or with more than 100 other nonprofit agencies in the City of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson.

  JABA’s volunteer program is intergenerational. Our volunteers represent the full spectrum of age. They, in turn, assist people of all ages. If you want to serve with seniors directly, become a Friendly Visitor or Phone Buddy, deliver meals to homebound seniors, assist with activities at one of JABA’s Community Centers, or join JABA’s Volunteer Ombudsman Program.

  If you like working with children, become a FISH (Friends In Schools Helping) volunteer and tutor reading or math, or help a new child adjust to school. Perhaps you speak Spanish or another language. Tutoring English as a Second Language is in high demand.

  We help you plan your schedule as a volunteer so it is convenient and flexible. You can volunteer when you want and for as long as you want in a location close to where you live or work. And, you can choose to respond to different ongoing needs in our community, or volunteer for short-term projects.

  All volunteers 55+ become members of RSVP, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that supports service and volunteer programs to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement. JABA is the local sponsor for the RSVP Program.

• Links to Related Information »

  www.handsonnetwork.org Points of Light Institute provides information on promoting and cultivating volunteer engagement.

  www.vaservice.org We recommend this site for information on volunteer initiatives in Virginia.

  www.volunteeringinamerica.gov This site provides interesting statistics and data about volunteering in America.

  www.gu.org Generations United provides information on intergenerational programs.

  www.templecil.org This site provides information on baby boomer volunteer research and on-line training.

• Volunteer Rewards & Benefits »

  Volunteers are the Heart of JABA

  Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at JABA. We recognize the contribution made by volunteers to support older adults and their families and make our community a great place to age.

  JABA volunteers have told us that the main reasons they volunteer are to help people, make a difference and give back to the community. And there are real benefits to the volunteer as well.

  Helping Others Makes People Happier and Healthier
  

  Research shows that those who volunteer have:

   Lower mortality rates
   Greater functional ability
   Lower rates of depression in later life
   Less incidence of heart disease
   Positive effects on physical and mental health

  Receive As Well As Give
  

  Recognizing volunteers for their service to others is a way we can say thank you. Volunteering through JABA gives you well-deserved rewards:

   Meet your fellow volunteers at the Volunteer Recognition Event in April at Ash-Lawn Highland and enjoy the beautiful grounds, tours of President Monroe's home, entertainment, food and gifts.
   Volunteer 30 hours at JABA and earn a discount on tuition at Olli (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)
   Birthday greeting on your birthday
   Thanksgiving card with tear-off calendar
   Orientation and training for your volunteer position
   Be part of JABA's staff working together as partners
   Over 55? Join RSVP and receive supplemental automobile insurance and partial mileage reimbursement and join 400,000 other volunteers across the country who are changing their communities through volunteering.