JUF TOV Volunteer Network Update

In this Issue:

• Lawyers Needed: JUF Community Legal Services

• Make it a Season to Remember by Volunteering with TOV!

• Volunteer at Mt. Sinai Children’s Hospital

• Help pack up the Bottomless Closet

• Assist low-income families with taxes

• TOV MTV- Monthly Teen Volunteering

TOV is now on Twitter!!

Look for updates on upcoming volunteer projects, events and programs. Join the social network that is sweeping the nation – follow @VolunteerTOV on Twitter today!

In conjunction with Merry Mitzvot, TOV is collecting new, unopened travel-size toiletries and cleaning products to benefit the clients of local social service agencies. Donations may be dropped off at the following locations until Friday, January 1, 2010.

Am Shalom: 820 Vernon, Glencoe

Anita Stone JCC: 3400 W. 196th, Flossmoor

Anshe Shalom: 504 W. Melrose, Chicago

Bernard Weinger JCC: 300 Revere, Northbrook

Beth Hillel B’nai Emunah: 3220 Big Tree, Wilmette

Congregation Beth Shalom: 722 W. 5th, Naperville

TOV is proud to announce a new program: JUF Community Legal Services. Formerly known as the American Jewish Congress Legal Clinic, JUF Community Legal Services will provide individuals and families in need of legal services with access to free and much needed help navigating the legal system. The program provides legal assistance in civil matters involving landlord-tenant disputes, family law, housing law, employment law, foreclosures, predatory lending, public aid, wills and power of attorney and more.

JUF Community Legal Services will be staffed entirely by volunteer attorneys who generously donate their time each year to provide pro bono legal assistance in civil matters. Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation (CVLS) will work with JUF to provide administrative support alongside JUF’s TOV Volunteer Network and Lawyers Division.

Attorneys of all practice areas are encouraged to volunteer regardless of what your specialty is. Generally, volunteers staff 1-2 evening sessions per year, taking on 1-3 cases per session. CVLS provides training and malpractice insurance for all participants in the program. They are also available to offer legal resources, information and support.

For more information or to register to volunteer, please call the TOV Volunteer Network at 312-357-4762 or email TOVjuforg  (TOVjuforg)  .

The JUF TOV Volunteer Network’s winter calendar of one-time volunteer projects, Merry Mitzvot, is here! Merry Mitzvot offers many opportunities to give back during the holiday season. From sorting donations to serving food, you are sure to find a way to make your holidays more meaningful.

The following projects are still seeking volunteers:

Cathedral Shelter of Chicago
Locate donations, move them to check-out and distribute to recipient families. Check-out volunteers have the most contact with recipient families.
Date: Thursday, December 10
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Unload trucks and organize donations by family for next day distribution.
Date: Thursday, December 10
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Check in donations, then verify identity and scheduling of recipient family at the warehouse.
Date: Tuesday, December 15
Times: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: 1669 W. Ogden, Chicago
Ages: 18+

Catholic Charities Celebration of Giving
Sort and take inventory of toy donations, process gift request forms and fill orders. Some lifting, carrying and standing required.
Date: Sunday, December 13
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Merchandise Mart, Chicago
Ages: 12+

The Night Ministry
Set up for The Night Ministry’s holiday party.
Date: Thursday, December 17
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Prepare and serve food to clients, facilitate activities, distribute stocking and clean up at The Night Ministry’s holiday party.
Date: Thursday, December 17
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Location: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1218 W. Addison, Chicago
Ages: 18+, 15+ with an adult

For more information or to sign up, please visit the TOV website or call the TOV hotline at (312) 357-4762.

Sign up for a Merry Mitzvot project »

Story Time is a magical time where volunteers read to children in the Pediatrics Unit – books come alive and imaginations run wild. Mount Sinai Children’s Hospital is seeking volunteers to read with patients on a weekly basis. To volunteer, contact Tondalaya Shepard-Turner via email at shetonsinaiorg  (shetonsinaiorg)   or via phone at (773) 257-2635.

The Bottomless Closet is moving! They need volunteers to help them purge and pack before the big moving day. Volunteers are welcome to schedule a time during the week of December 14. Please contact Jude Andrews at (312) 527-9664 ext. 12 to set up a date and time to help out.

Learn more about the Bottomless Closet »

The Center for Economic Progress is looking for volunteers interested in building skills, meeting new people, and working one-on-one with low-income families to help them move toward financial security. Volunteer positions available include tax preparers and tax site assistants. Training sessions will be offered in January, and no previous experience is necessary – volunteers can choose a position to fit their current skills or learn something new. About 30 community sites are available throughout Illinois.

See why over 1,200 volunteers dedicated last winter to serving 33,000 families statewide! View training schedules, find a site near you, and register to volunteer at www.economicprogress.org/volunteer.

A big THANK YOU to all of our committed teen volunteers! Through Jewish Child & Family Services Coat Shopping Project, we spent over $3,600 on winter items for foster care children. Most recently, our teen volunteers paid a visit to grateful residents at CJE SeniorLife Lieberman Campus. Over Chanukah, TOV MTV participants will be lending a hand with the children’s craft area at the Lincoln Park Zoo’s ZooLights Celebration.

Currently, December and January TOV MTV opportunities are full. To be added to the waitlist, please register online. Stay tuned for more opportunities coming your way in January.

There’s no charge for TOV MTV opportunities, but space is limited and pre-registration is a must. To be placed on our mailing list, or if you have any questions, please email TOVTeenjuforg  (TOVTeenjuforg)   or call (312) 444-2867.

If you are active in a youth group or work as a youth group advisor, special TOV MTV programs can be coordinated for your group. Contact us at TOVTeenjuforg  (TOVTeenjuforg)   for more information.

Learn more about JUF teen programming »