Opportunities From: Volunteer Opportunities at United Way of Northern New Jersey

Embracing HospiceCare is seeking volunteer End-of-Life Doulas to support our patients and their loved ones. Whether you have experience serving as an EOL Doula or are just starting out, we would love to hear from you. Here at Embracing, we see the value of EOL doulas and recognize the important role they play in the dying process. The EOL Doulas we are looking for must:

Have an understanding of what it means to "hold space" (to be present physically, mentally, and emotionally) for patients and their loved ones Have excellent communication and listening skills Bring a comforting and peaceful presence to the bedside Be comfortable with death and the dying process Be compassionate and empathetic

Experience with seniors and hospice care is preferred but not required. An EOL Doula certification or EOL Doula training is a plus nut not required. Embracing HospiceCare has a certified EOL Doula on staff who will oversee the training of volunteer EOL Doulas*.

Volunteer EOL Doulas must commit to a minimum of 40 field service hours. Hours can be used to count towards a formal EOL doula certification such as those offered by the International End-of-Life Doula Association (INELDA) or similar training organizations.

Positions are available in Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. To learn more, please contact our volunteer director, Becky Colby, at 732-974-2545 or via email at bcolby@ehcnj.com.

*Please note that this opportunity is not a formal EOL Doula training or certification program. Volunteers will not earn an EOL Doula certification by completing this commitment.

Project Sunshine is an international volunteer-led nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy and play to pediatric patients. Our volunteers get firsthand experience of aiding the healing journey of children facing medical challenges through play, which allows for creative expression, creates an outlet for emotion, and minimizes the anxiety or stress the children experience. Project Sunshine volunteers do this through in-hospital visits, packing activity kits, and leading virtual play (TelePlay). We lead programming for medical facilities or disease specific nonprofits. 

Volunteer Opportunity & Application

We are currently seeking volunteers to support our in-person 'Here to Play' volunteer program at medical facility partners across the county. You can view more details about the program here: https://projectsunshine.org/here-to-play

Application: If you are interested in volunteering, please submit your information through Volunteer Match or apply on our website at https://projectsunshine.org/community-volunteer-application

Please email community@projectsunshine.org if you have any questions.

In Person Volunteering: 

Facilitate developmentally appropriate arts and crafts activities for children ages 3-18 based on the agreed upon schedule with the medical facility and your chapter   Bring a bright, positive attitude and energy  Arrive at your medical facility in a prompt and punctual manner Set up and break down of play area with program supplies  Keep an open line of communication with your chapter leader  Adhere to all Project Sunshine and medical facility policies 

In-person Training requirements:

Online Volunteer Application (15 minutes)  New Volunteer Training (1 hour)  New Volunteer Training Quiz (15 minutes)  In-person Volunteering Training (30 minutes)  Potential Facility Clearance Process 

Requirements: 

Must be 18+ years old  Must reside in the United States  Must pass a criminal background check  Must be COVID-19 vaccinated  Complete all Project Sunshine onboarding and medical facility clearance processes 

Qualifications: 

Passion for the Project Sunshine mission and working with children  Positive and openminded attitude Interest or experience working in the medical field (a plus)  Experience working with children 3-18 years old (a plus) 

Whether it is watching the smile on a child’s face grow when they yell 'BINGO!’ or seeing them use their brilliant imagination by bringing a ceramic animal to life, Project Sunshine volunteers get a unique experience brightening the lives of children who are going through hard times. 

If you are interested in volunteering with Project Sunshine, please apply on our website or find the application linked here: https://projectsunshine.org/community-volunteer-application?hsLang=en .

Embracing HospiceCare is looking for Musicians/Singers to give the gift of music to our patients! If you play an instrument or sing (or both) and you have a compassionate, giving heart, you might be the person we’re looking for! Instruments that are easily portable would be best for performing at the bedside: guitar, ukulele, mandolin, keyboard, flute, clarinet, small percussion instruments, etc. Performances would be for individual patients (not groups.)

As a music lover, you already know that music has a profound effect on people; this is especially true for those in the final stages of life. It can relieve stress and even physical pain and promotes peace and relaxation for the patient. Your talent and companionship are sure to bring joy to our patients!

Opportunities are available in Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. To learn more, please contact our volunteer director, Becky Colby, at 732-974-2545 or via email at bcolby@ehcnj.com.

We are seeking Volunteer Reiki Practitioners to work with our patients! Reiki therapy has been known to help alleviate the boredom, frustration, loneliness, depression, and fear patients often experience in their final weeks. You can make a difference in the life of someone living with a terminal illness by offering your services as a reiki practitioner!

Per state regulations, Volunteer Reiki Practitioners are not required to hold any sort of certification to practice; however, we would prefer practitioners who have reached at least Level 2 training.

Positions are available in Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. To learn more, please contact our volunteer director, Becky Colby, at 732-974-2545 or via email at bcolby@ehcnj.com.

We are seeking Clerical Volunteers in our Wall Township office! Our office is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM. This opportunity does not require a full 8-hour shift, nor does it require daily attendance. We understand that our volunteers have other obligations and are happy to work around your schedule!

Duties of Clerical Volunteers include filing, faxing, and assistance with other administrative projects as needed. Volunteers will be trained and supported by our office staff. No previous clerical work experience is required. Your time is greatly appreciated!

Please call Becky at 732-974-2545 or email her at bcolby@ehcnj.com for more information.

Embracing HospiceCare is looking for volunteers who are interested in becoming Patient Companions. You don’t need a medical background or hospice experience; all you need is a caring heart and a willingness to make a difference in the life of a terminally ill patient. Volunteers will receive special training to serve as Patient Companions. As a Patient Companion, volunteers will have the opportunity to read to patients, play chess or checkers, help to make a scrapbook or write letters - or simply provide a loving, calming presence to a patient in need. A Patient Companion’s duties depend on the patient’s unique needs and interests.

This is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to give back to their community. Positions are available in Monmouth, Ocean, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties. To learn more, please contact our volunteer director, Becky Colby, at 732-974-2545 or via email at bcolby@ehcnj.com.

Friendly Visiting

Friendly Visitors are matched with a homebound older adult to meet with in their home weekly. Volunteers provide conversation, companionship, and socialization opportunities.

Volunteers must submit to a background check. The program commitment is 1 hour once a week and the schedule of meetings is flexible. Volunteers are expected to report their hours monthly through the JFSMW Volunteer Tracking system and submit an update of the visit to the program coordinator via our app.

This program covers Essex, Morris, and surrounding counties, but we have the most need for female volunteers to visit homebound women in Essex County.

For more information contact Taylor Ruszczyk at TRuszczyk@jfsmetrowest.org or 973-637-1742.

Tuesday Meal Recovery: Volunteers are needed to transport meals from The Peck School (Morristown, NJ) to Joi's Angels (East Orange, NJ), Meal pickup in Morristown (any time between 1-2PM), ~25 minute drive to East Orange.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Wednesday Meal Recovery: Volunteers needed to transport meals from Gill St. Bernard's School (Peapack, NJ) to Nourish NJ (Victory Gardens, NJ), Meal pickup in Peapack (any time between 2:45 - 3:45PM), ~25 minute drive to Victory Gardens.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.

Friday Meal Recovery: Volunteers needed to transport meals from Gill St. Bernard's School (Peapack, NJ) to Nourish NJ (Victory Gardens, NJ), Meal pickup in Peapack (any time between 2:45 - 3:45PM), ~25 minute drive to Victory Gardens.

Note: Volunteer must have their own car and a valid driver's license.