Winter 2015 Making a Difference Like a snowflake, every volunteer is unique. Each of you have your own reasons for volunteering—maybe it’s continuing a family tradition of service, or giving back to the community, or helping to fulfill a special bond or connection to CJE SeniorLife. However different your reasons, one factor is the same: CJE SeniorLife
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values you. From workplace professionals and retirees, to students sharing their skills, each volunteer has a distinct story. Some of the volunteers featured in this issue of VIGOR will make you smile; others will have you nodding your head as you recognize yourself in them. You may even be reminded of someone interested in volunteering— so go
ahead and share these and your own stories with your friends and invite them to volunteer at CJE SeniorLife. Yes, like a snowflake, you are all one of a kind. Yet all together you are one and, as one, you make a significant impact on CJE. — Monica Eorgoff Director, Volunteer Services
“I love the handson experience and the opportunities for connecting with people that volunteering for CJE’s Home-Delivered Meals Program provides. It’s a way for me to give back, and it sets a good example for my four children.” — Patti Dresdner, Home-Delivered Means Volunteer
On the Road with Home-Delivered Meals (HDM) Through rain, sleet, and snow, volunteers deliver nutritious kosher meals to older adults who are unable to shop for and/or prepare their own food. Approximately 25% of these 89,000 nutritious meals were delivered by volunteers in 2014. While Home-Delivered
Meals is primarily a program to help avoid hunger, the social aspect of the program is also very important. Delivering meals to clients’ homes enables volunteers to monitor changes in clients over time. If they have any concerns, they can report them to care managers who in turn can
connect clients to other needed programs such as personal care, transportation and counseling. Though it may be cold outside, the warm connection between our volunteers and older adult clients linger.
Patti Dresdner (right) delivers a meal to an HDM client.
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Important Notices Photo IDs Volunteers are required to wear CJE issued photo IDs when volunteering with CJE SeniorLife. If you have not received a photo ID, please call Volunteer Services at 847-929-3040 or email volunteers@cje.net.
Sign In & Out
Volunteer Evelyn Burnstein (center) encourages fellow seniors during a “Sit and Get Fit” class!
Spotlight on CJE SeniorLife Did you know CJE is more than just the program or building at which you volunteer? CJE has been helping older adults pursue lives of meaning and independence and good health for over 40 years. It is a diversified and innovative eldercare
organization that responds to the needs of over 22,000 individuals and caregivers through life enrichment, supportive resources, healthcare, research and education. Its mission is to facilitate the independence of older adults and to enhance their quality
of life by advocating and offering services for individuals, families and the community. You are part of this dynamic team of hundreds of volunteers and employees making a difference in others’ lives.
Please sign in and out each time you volunteer with CJE. Please print legibly. Volunteer hours are needed for a variety of reasons including applying for financial grants so CJE can continue to provide services to our older adult population.
Volunteer Update Forms If you have not submitted a form with your updated contact and emergency information, please contact us at 847-929-3040 or email volunteers@cje.net.
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3003 W. Touhy Ave. | Chicago, IL 60645 | 773.508.1000 |www.cje.net