JUF TOV Volunteer Network Update

In this Issue:

• It’s raining volunteer opportunities at TOV!

• Sign up now to volunteer at 2010 Israel Solidarity Day!

• Lawyers Needed: JUF Community Legal Services

• Serve a Seder meal with JCFS

• Maot Chitim Passover Deliveries

• Jewish Vocational Service needs you!

• Holocaust Documentary – Webmaster, Bookkeeper and Assistant Producer Positions

• JUF TOV Teen Volunteer Programs

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!

The JUF TOV Volunteer Network’s Spring Mitzvah Mania 2010, a calendar of one-time volunteer opportunities, runs Sunday, March 14 through Sunday, May 16. Shower some goodwill over Chicagoland this spring: serve a meal, sort food and furniture donations, visit with the elderly and so much more! There are projects for individuals and groups of all ages. Sign up to volunteer online or call the TOV hotline at (312) 357-4762.

TOV is sponsoring a book drive at area synagogues and JCCs in conjunction with the annual Spring Mitzvah Mania project. New and gently used children’s books are welcome. Collected books will be donated to schools participating in the JUF TOV Literacy Project and other local social service agencies. View a list of drop-off locations.

This year, the JUF TOV Volunteer Network is participating in the Disney Give a Day, Get a Day program to offer our volunteers an exciting reward for a day of service! JUF TOV is proud to help Disney reach their goal of inspiring one million people to volunteer one day of service. TOV has submitted several family friendly volunteer opportunities, which can be found on the Disney website. Volunteers can sign up for these projects online through the Disney site.

2010 Israel Solidarity Day featuring the Walk with Israel will be in your neighborhood this May, and nearly 1,000 volunteers are needed to ensure each event’s success!

Volunteer roles include: greeting, registration, set-up, walk route management and much more. Volunteers must be high school age and older.

For more details or to sign-up, visit the Walk website or call the TOV Israel Solidarity Day Volunteer Hotline at (312) 444-2850.

Learn more about Israel Solidarity Day »

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)  .

JCFS needs volunteers to help prepare and serve the Passover Seder meal on Tuesday, March 23 to students and their families of the JCFS Therapeutic Day School in Rogers Park. There are two shifts, serving from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. and clean-up from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. All volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and serving volunteers are asked to wear black bottoms and a nice white top. Knowledge of the Seder meal is helpful, but not necessary. Interested volunteers should contact Katya Seligman at href="KatyaSeligmanjcfsorg">KatyaSeligmanjcfsorg.

Maot Chitim needs hundreds of volunteers to ensure that Chicago’s Jews in need are able to celebrate Passover with dignity. Volunteers are needed to pack and deliver food packages. Packing will be on Sunday, March 14, 2010 and delivery will be Sunday, March 21, 2010, and the location of the warehouse will be announced on the Moat Chitim website as the event approaches. Please email volunteermaotchitimorg  (volunteermaotchitimorg)   for more information or to sign up.

Gain experience and enrich your career background through helping a dynamic non-profit organization serving the Chicagoland community. JVS is seeking volunteers to meet the following needs:

Scholarship Volunteers: Help students attain higher education. Interview scholarship applicants and complete evaluations between 3/1/10 and 4/30/10. Volunteers will need experience interviewing and should be able to evaluate a candidate’s plan, financial situation, and circumstances. Prior experience in Counseling or Human Resources desirable.

Healing Expressive Arts Workshop Leaders: Expertise wanted in creative writing, painting, and drawing. Co-facilitate workshops for our Behavioral Health Program at our Devon location on the north side of Chicago.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities above please email Aurora Hathaway at href="aurorahathawayjvschicagoorg">aurorahathawayjvschicagoorg with your name, contact information and which opportunity or opportunities you are interested in.

Groundbreaking Holocaust documentary Rumblas Echo is currently filming with a crew of PBS and NBC veterans in U.S., Latvia and Israel. Non-profit production organization in the Lakeview area seeks a webmaster who can update our websites (15 hours/month) and a bookkeeper with Quickbooks experience (15 hours/month). The production is also looking for an Assistant Producer to help administer the production, during business hours, for a minimum of 6 months (at least 20-30 hours/week). Ongoing volunteers receive a credit in the film. For more information, please email inforumbulasechoorg  (inforumbulasechoorg)   or call (312) 602-3302.

TOV MTV – Monthly Teen Volunteering

Teens can spend a couple of hours a month making a difference in the lives of others and in the Chicago community. Teens can participate once, twice, or every month; there’s an opportunity waiting for them.

In the coming months teens will assemble food packages to help community members in need celebrate Jewish holidays, beautify the Skokie Lagoons and help with children’s activities at Israel Solidarity Day.

There’s no charge for TOV MTV opportunities, but space is limited and pre-registration is a must. Spots fill quickly, so visit our website today to register.

REGISTER NOW for Camp TOV 2010!

• Session 1: August 9-13
• Session 2: August 16-20

Camp TOV is a week long, fun, interactive service-oriented day program on wheels. Each day brings a new volunteer project and service-learning experience, focusing on: poverty, hunger, homelessness, environmental concerns, caring for the elderly, leadership skills and more. Seventh through tenth grade teens from throughout the city and suburbs of Chicago will be brought together for what promises to be a memorable summer learning experience!

Register online today- spots are filling fast! For more information, please call (312) 357-4928 or email TOVTeenjuforg  (TOVTeenjuforg)  .

A.C.T. Now ∙ Lead by Example
Advanced Camp TOV

The Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago invites teens entering grades 10-12 in the Chicago area to A.C.T Now, a series of hands-on volunteer opportunities in June picked especially for older high school students.

Teens can participate once, twice or for the entire series. Whether you want to combat hunger and homelessness, learn about animal overpopulation, brighten a senior’s day, or lend a welcoming hand to new immigrants, there’s an opportunity waiting for you. The cost will be $25 per day. Projects and online registration will be available soon.

If you’re interested in signing up or would like more information please call (312) 444-2867 or email TOVTeenjuforg  (TOVTeenjuforg)  .

Learn more about JUF teen programming »