Friendly Visitor Volunteer - Engage with Seniors

Many seniors in our area are lonely and miss having social interaction. You can help enhance the quality of life of a senior through weekly social visits. Play cards, read out loud, share memories and socialize with an older adult! We match our volunteers with individuals experiencing social isolation. Individuals in our program have lived rich and exciting lives and miss having meaningful conversations and connections. If you like to socialize, have the ability to listen and relate to people in a warm and friendly manner, appreciate differing perspectives and lifestyles, and you can make a year-long commitment, please consider becoming a Friendly Visitor Volunteer!

Established in 1849, JFS began as the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Association. Today, we provide the highest quality, comprehensive services to everyone in the Greater Richmond area. We transform the lives of individuals and families and strengthen our community by providing the best options in care, counseling and adoption.

Volunteer Position Description and Purpose:

Friendly Visitors provide companionship and friendship to a lonely and/or isolated older adult, making visits in the client’s home on a prearranged schedule for at least one hour per week; commits to at least one full year of service. Many volunteers continue in the Friendly Visitor role for many years, developing meaning relationships with their senior.

Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities:

• Visits assigned client on a weekly basis and follows the individualized plan developed by JFS staff
• Communicates significant changes in client’s physical and/or emotional functioning and submits monthly contact reports to Volunteer Resources Supervisor or assigned JFS staff manager
• Participates in orientation program, scheduled training sessions, and in on-going periodic in-service training provided via mail or e-mail
• Maintains client confidentiality
• Maintains client’s dignity and respects client’s cultural and religious practices or beliefs

Qualifications, Skills, & Requirements: Volunteers working directly with a client must have a sincere interest in contributing to the well-being of that person and have strong interpersonal communication skills. They need to be able to empathize with life changes and circumstances affecting the client, while maintaining objectivity appropriate to the volunteer/client relationship. They must be able to respect differences and appreciate the worth of each individual. They must demonstrate the ability to be reliable, dependable, and responsible to the client and to the agency. Due to the nature of our work, all volunteers complete a reference check, background check, and drug screening upon orientation.

Time Commitment: One hour per week - minimum one year commitment

If you are interested, we'd love to connect with you! Our team will reach out promptly.