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

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 .

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.